Chapter 25

I shivered as Rowan gently set me down in his chambers, my legs barely able to support my weight any longer. Every muscle in my body ached, and exhaustion weighed heavily on my eyelids. I could barely keep my eyes open, let alone comprehend the safety and warmth of Rowan's presence. His chambers, though familiar to me, felt like a haven compared to the cold, unforgiving cell I had just left behind.

Rowan's strong arms guided me to a plush chair by the hearth. "Wait here, Ariadne. I'll draw you a bath," he said softly, his voice filled with concern. I nodded weakly, feeling the comfort of the chair beneath me, the warmth from the fire seeping into my bones. I watched as Rowan moved with purpose, his usually stern face softened with worry.

Minutes later, he returned and lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the adjoining bath chamber. The scent of lavender filled the air, and the sight of steaming water brought tears to my eyes. I hadn't felt clean or warm in days. Rowan gently placed me on the edge of the tub, his eyes searching mine.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Tired," I admitted, my voice cracking. "But I am glad to be out of that place."

"No harm will come to you again. I promise you."

Rowan promised as he looked at me. I nodded slowly.

"And you? How have you been?"

I asked him and he sighed.

"I've been trying to get a meeting with my father the Alpha King. But he refuses to see me everytime I go."

His face looked crestfallen but he smiled slowly.

"No worries. I will keep trying. I have to get at least get back into the Royal council."

Fear crept into my heart, and I grabbed his hand. "Rowan, what if they find out we lied?"

He knelt in front of me, his expression resolute. "That won't happen. I won't let them take you again. You're safe here with me. No one will harm you, I promise." His words were a balm to my frayed nerves. "I made you some food. You need to regain your strength."

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. As he left to fetch the food, I slowly undressed and slipped into the warm water. The heat soothed my aching muscles, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to relax.

After my long bath, I went dressed up and went back to the room. When Rowan returned, he carried a tray with a bowl of steaming soup and a chunk of bread. "Eat," he commanded gently. "You need to build up your strength."

"Where did you get the food?"

I asked him, knowing we weren't exactly financially buoyant.

"I commissioned a kitchen maid to bring me some food."

I took the tray from him, savoring each bite. The food was simple, but to me, it tasted like a feast. "I'm happy you're back," Rowan said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I have missed you."

"And I have missed you too," I replied, my voice thick with emotion. "It was unbearable, thinking I might never see you again."

Rowan reached out and took my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "Bort won't bother us again for a while. And when I have power, real power, I will be able to fully protect you."

I looked up at him, remembering something. "How did you get that letter from Isabelle?"

His expression darkened. "It was a fake. I had someone fake the Carstairs family seal. I also forged Isabelle's writing from the letters she once sent to the royal concubine when she was younger, just in case there are any lingering doubts."

The determination in his voice gave me hope, "Thank you," I said softly. "For everything."

Rowan shook his head. "I would do it over and over again."

"There's something I need to ask you," he said, his voice hesitant.

"What is it?"

I asked, wondering what he had in mind.

"Why didn't you tell me you were sleeping on the floor? After your arrest, I noticed there was no spare room like you said. You've been sleeping on the floor all this time."

I looked away, shame flooding my cheeks. "I didn't want to worry you," I admitted. "I felt there was no need to mention it"

He gently cupped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Ariadne, you have to always tell me the truth. We are together now. I'm here for you. Always. And I want to help."

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I promise I won't keep anything from you again."

He sighed and released my chin, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Good. We need to trust each other if we're going to get through everything they throw at us."

I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. "I trust you, Rowan. Completely."

There was a pause, and then Rowan's expression grew serious again. "Ariadne, do you know anything about your wolf?"

I frowned, confused by the sudden shift in conversation. "No, I don't. Why?"

He hesitated, his eyes searching mine. "I find it hard to place your scent. And when you were far from me... my legs were weaker. I believe you're the reason I can walk again."

My heart pounded in my chest. "But that's impossible. I don't have any powers."

"You must have something," Rowan insisted. "Because when you're with me, I am stronger. I can feel it."

I shook my head, overwhelmed by his words. "I don't understand."

"Neither do I," he admitted. "But we'll figure it out together. I know you're special, Ariadne. More than you realize."

I wanted to protest, to deny his claims, but a part of me hoped he was right. Maybe I did have some hidden strength, something that could have been helping me all along. My hands instinctively traveled to my necklace that I had gotten back after my row with Lark. Maybe there was more to me after all.

"We will figure it out," I echoed, determination filling my voice.

Rowan's smile was warm and reassuring. "Yes, we will. And no matter what happens, we'll face it together."

Rowan handed me a steaming cup of tea as I settled into the bed. He sat beside me, his presence a comforting weight. "Get some rest," he said softly. "You're safe here."

I nodded, exhaustion pulling me under. As I drifted off to sleep, I clung to Rowan's promise.


........

I lay on the bed, savoring the peaceful silence, my body still weary from the recent ordeals. Rowan's presence beside me was a comfort, his steady breathing a reminder that I wasn't alone in this struggle. Just as I was drifting back into a light doze, a sharp knock on the door jolted me fully awake.

Rowan stirred, his eyes immediately alert as he slipped from the bed, grabbing a robe and tying it around his waist. I watched him, a knot of unease forming in my stomach. Whoever was at the door I just hoped it wasn't another issue.

Rowan opened the door cautiously. A young castle hand stood there, holding a sealed letter emblazoned with the royal crest. The girl bowed and handed over the letter before scampering off, leaving Rowan to close the door with a resigned sigh.  I recognised that uniform, it was what the servants of the Royal Concubine wore. He turned to me, his face a mixture of worry and something else—something like hope.

"It's from the Royal Concubine," he said, holding the letter out to me.

I took it reluctantly, breaking the seal with trembling fingers. The elegant script inside was an invitation, more like a summons, to the royal court. I felt a surge of dread and anger. After everything, now they wanted to drag me into their political games? I tossed the letter onto the bed, shaking my head.

"I won't go," I declared, my voice firmer than I felt. "I don't think I can go. What if she finds out that I am lying again?"

Rowan knelt beside me, taking my hands in his. "Ariadne, you have to go," he insisted gently. "If you refuse, the Royal Concubine will only become more suspicious of you. You know how dangerous that can be."

I pulled my hands away, wrapping my arms around myself as if to ward off the inevitability of his words. "I can't, Rowan. I just can't face her. Last time I did, she figured out that I wasn't Lady Isabelle Carstairs."

"There's more to this than just appeasing them," Rowan continued, his voice taking on a persuasive note. "Think of the information we could gather at court. The connections we could make. If they're willing to accept you into court, it means I might have a chance to regain my position on the Royal Council. We need to take this opportunity, Ariadne."

I looked into his eyes, seeing the desperation there. He wasn't just thinking about power or influence; he was thinking about our survival. The royal court was a viper's nest, but it was also a place where we could find allies, learn secrets, and maybe, just maybe, find a way to secure a future for ourselves.

I sighed, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on me. "You really think it's worth the risk?"

Rowan nodded. "I do. And I'll be with you every step of the way. We'll navigate this together, just like we always have."

His words brought a measure of comfort, and I felt a glimmer of resolve hardening within me. I took a deep breath, lifting my chin. "Alright, then. I'll go. But we need to be careful. One misstep, and it could all be over."

Rowan smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes. "We will be very careful. I promise."