Chapter 168
"What?" I gasped. I almost rose to my feet but faltered halfway through the motion. "Why? What happened?"
"Prince Lucian couldn't find you, so he took him instead," she said softly, her expression stricken. "He ordered him to be seized and brought in chains. He, he told Aldric that unless he reveals where you are, or brings you to him... he'll lose his head."
I pressed a hand to my mouth, tears immediately pricking my eyes. "No. No, he can't. He was only doing his duty. He's loyal. Lucian can't just, he's not even King yet!"
"He's acting like he already is," Miriam murmured grimly. "And the council is beginning to listen. He's been feeding them lies, Your Majesty. About the baby. About you. About the Alpha King."
My throat tightened.
"Have we heard anything from him?" I asked. "From Rowan?"
Miriam shook her head. "Nothing. No messenger, no raven, no letter. The battlefield's far and the roads are crawling with our men. Even if your message reached him, there's no telling when—or if —he'll be able to respond."
A wave of helplessness swept through me. I looked down at my son. So small. So innocent. And already marked by danger and blood.
"I have to do something," I whispered. "If Lucian takes the throne..."
"They're preparing a meeting soon," Miriam said. "The council. Some of them are already gathering in the Grand Hall. Lucian's calling it an 'emergency vote of stability.'"
I narrowed my eyes. "He's going to push for the coronation isn't he?"
"Yes," she said. "Or at least for something close enough that the people will see him as King. He's saying you faked the birth. That the baby isn't yours. And that even if it is, it's weak and dying."
"Lies." My voice trembled with fury. "All lies."
Miriam nodded. "But lies told confidently enough... can become truth to the wrong ears. The council seems to hang on his every word."
I closed my eyes for a moment and let out a slow, shaking breath. I had barely survived the night. I was still bleeding. My body was fragile, sewn together by pain and willpower alone. But I could not allow Lucian to win.
"What are we going to do?" Miriam asked gently, but I knew the question was mine to answer.
"I need to think," I said. "I need time. We can't let them go through with that meeting. If they do... if they crown him..."
"Then it's over," she whispered.
I looked down at my son again, curled up in the folds of a soft wool blanket. His little hand twitched, and his mouth moved slightly in sleep. He looked so peaceful. So trusting. He didn't know the world was already trying to steal his birthright from him.
"They need to see him," I said suddenly.
"What?" Miriam blinked.
"The council. The people. Everyone." I straightened slowly, wincing through the pain. "They need to see the child again. Touch him. Hear his heartbeat. Just like yesterday. And they need to hear the truth. From me."
"Your Majesty, it's not safe," she said. "Prince Lucian has ordered that you be arrested on sight. There must be another way."
"Then you have to help me," I said firmly. "That meeting cannot hold. If it does, it's over. I have to find a way to stop that meeting."
"Your Majesty—"
"I'll do whatever it takes," I said fiercely. "I have to. All I need from you is that you help me with one thing."
She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes full of worry. Then she nodded slowly.
"All right," she said. "What do you need help with?"
"I know it's dangerous, but we need a distraction," I said. "One that is big enough to stall the meeting. We need them to think the castle has been invaded again."
"That could be dangerous... I think Lucian will see through the ruse." she warned.
"You're right. Then we find another way." I whispered. "We fake a letter from Rowan and send it to them. We let them know he's coming home."
Miriam knelt beside me and took my hand.
"That could work. But how will you do that without the royal seal?"
I gritted my teeth against another pulse of pain and looked at the small window. The sun had risen. Time was slipping through our fingers like water.
"The royal seal is in our chambers," I said softly. "If you can get it from the chambers for me, I could draft the letter immediately and have it sent to the wolf clans and council."
"I think," she replied, "That could work. I know a servant who works directly in the chambers, she'll let me in. I'll bring the seal as fast as I can."
I looked down at my son again and then looked at her. "You have to be careful. Make sure you don't get caught."
"I won't. Your Majesty."
............................
The council chamber buzzed with tension as I stepped forward, the forged letter clutched tightly in my hand. The royal seal, meticulously replicated, gleamed under the torchlight. I could feel Lucian's eyes burning into me, his fury barely contained. If he could kill me on the spot, I knew that he would have attempted it.
"What are you doing here?! After presenting your sickly child you think you can come and go and interrupt our meetings as you please?"
Lucian asked. I ignored him and turned to the rest of the council, their faces were harsh but I persevered.
"This letter," I began, projecting my voice, "is from the Alpha King Rowan himself. He will return within three nights, victorious from Braam. There is no need for any premature coronation."
Gasps echoed through the chamber. The council members exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. Lucian stepped forward, his face a mask of disbelief.
"And we're to take this at face value?" he sneered. "A letter conveniently appearing now when we are about to start our meeting?!"
I met his gaze steadily. "The Royal seal is unmistakable. And the handwriting matches the King's. Are you questioning his word? Take it and look. Have a look yourselves and decide."
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