Chapter 35

It was my first night back in the castle. I was roused from a restless sleep. The early hour made the world outside seem almost still, I turned to my side and I felt around the bed, Rowan was not in bed. I wondered where he was. If he had perhaps gone to the woods or he was in one meeting or the other. But it was still so quiet outside. So quiet that the castle had not even woken up.

A soft knock on the door broke the silence, and before I could answer, the door creaked open, revealing my handmaiden, Maria. Maria's eyes widened in surprise as she saw me. My eyes widened as I realized that my dark curls cascaded freely over my shoulders, a sight rarely seen because I had to style my hair a specific way to hide my otsayak mark.  I was caught off guard, so I quickly scrambled to gather my hair and hastily tied it back with a thin ribbon, my hands trembling slightly as I secured it in place.

Maria, ever observant, hesitated. "My lady, do you need anything?" she asked, her voice soft but tinged with concern.

I wondered if she had noticed. I wondered if she saw anything. Then again, she looked too calm to have seen anything, or to even have noticed. If she had noticed her reaction would have been like any other person who saw an otsayak  mark. Pure disgust and shock. None of which were evident in Maria's features.

I took a steadying breath, recalling Rowan's instructions from the previous night. He had asked me to gather any useful information that might reach my ears. With my heart pounding in her chest, I decided to take the opportunity. "Maria," I began, trying to sound casual, "How is Princess Delilah doing? I know we've only just gotten back from our trip but I'm sure you must have heard something about the state of her health."

Maria's face looked a bit sad as she shook her head.

"I heard she has refused to step out of her chambers ever since the temple visit. When the full moon came upon us I heard she didn't make the shift. Her grief has made her bedridden and angry. So she would often scream and lash out. Poor Prince Lucian cannot leave her side for fear that she would hurt herself."

"Oh. That's devastating."

I said as my hand flew to my mouth in surprise.

"The Royal Concubine goes on like nothing happens. I hear she spends her days hosting tea parties."

"Perhaps she is trying to move on."

I offered sadly.

I continued, eager to find more from Maria.

"I've been hearing whispers lately... Do you know of any rumors spreading outside the castle walls?"

Maria shifted uncomfortably, her hands nervously clasped in front of her. "I... I'm not sure, my lady. It's not my place to speak of such things."

"Please, Maria," Ariadne urged, her tone soft but insistent. "I trust you. If there's anything you know, it could be important. I need to hear it."

After a moment's hesitation, Maria finally relented. "Well, my lady, the people are talking a lot about Prince Rowan," she began slowly. "Some say that his recovery is miraculous. Others say it is suspicious. But lately, he has been gaining favor among the wolf clans. My lady you see they never liked Crown Prince Lucian, and now they're clamoring for the King to reinstate Prince Rowan as the rightful Crown Prince."

I felt a jolt of surprise at this revelation. "Where did you hear this, Maria? Why were you hesitant to tell me this?!"
I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"They are just rumors my Lady. It's what everyone has been talking about for weeks," Maria replied, her eyes searching my face for any sign of displeasure. "Most believe the Moon Goddess herself had a hand in his healing, and that it's a sign he deserves to be the Crown Prince once more."

My heart swelled with a mix of relief and joy. The news was better than I could have hoped for. "Thank you, Maria," I said, my voice soft but filled with gratitude. "You've been a great help."

As Maria left the room, I sat down on the edge of my bed, my mind racing with thoughts of Rowan. I could hardly wait to tell him the news. It was exactly what we needed—a sign that the tides were turning in our favor.


........


I can't sleep. The moonlight filters through the cracks in the heavy curtains, casting strange, twisting shadows across the room. I turn onto my side, then back again. The sheets are cool and the room is quiet, but my mind is racing. I feel Rowan shift beside me, his arm draped over my waist.

"Ariadne?" he murmurs, his voice thick with sleep. "What is wrong with you?”

I pause, debating whether to speak or to let him drift back to sleep, but the words tumble out before I can stop them. "My mind isn't at ease, Rowan. I can't explain it, but... I feel like something bad is going to happen."


His hand tightens around me, pulling me closer into the warmth of his chest. "You're safe here, Ariadne," he whispers, his breath warm against my ear. "As long as you're in my arms, nothing will harm you. I promise I will always protect you."

I want to believe him. I want to lose myself in the comfort of his embrace, but the unease gnaws at me. I stare up at the ceiling, feeling his heartbeat against my back. "Do you still plan to expose your brother?" I ask softly.

There is a pause, a tightening of his body against mine. "I do," he says, his voice firm. "I have all the evidence of his illegal dealings. I will present it to my father before the next full moon."

I sigh, my heart sinking at his resolve. "Rowan, I was talking to my handmaiden today and she told me some things. The wolf clans... they're working to reinstate you as Crown Prince. They said your healing is a sign that you should be the Crown Prince once again. We should bide our time and wait for them to make a formal demand to the Alpha King."

"No." His voice is sharp, cutting through the darkness. "Right now, Lucian is too occupied with Delilah to figure out my plans. I am helping him out with his duties and closer to my father than I’ve ever been in years. This is the only chance I have to do this before he goes back to his duties. I have to do this, Ariadne."

Anger flares in my chest, and I twist to face him. "Do you really care that much about the crown, Rowan, or do you just want to see your brother fall?" I demand, searching his eyes in the dim light.

“And what if I just want to see him fall?!”

Rowan’s voice hardens.

“It will be a very small price for him to pay for everything he has done to me.”

My jaw drops.

“Have you forgotten that he just lost his son? This is the wrong time to strike."

Rowan’s jaw clenches, his eyes hardening. "It's the perfect time," he insists, his voice laced with determination. "He's weakened, vulnerable. If I don't act now, he'll only grow stronger and seek out to destroy me.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, realizing that his desire for justice has been poisoned by something darker. "You're blinded by revenge," I say quietly, pulling away from him. "And I hope you don't get your revenge at the cost of our lives, Rowan."

“We have secrets of my own too remember?”

For a moment, he is silent, his expression unreadable. Then he reaches out, but I turn my back to him, pulling the covers over my shoulder. My heart aches with fear and frustration, and I close my eyes, willing myself to sleep.

Beside me, Rowan is still, his breath steady, but I know he is not sleeping. His mind is churning just like mine, and I fear that before this is over, we may both be lost to the shadows that haunt this night.