Chapter 52

The next day, whispers of my impending engagement littered the castle walls. And it’s preparations too. I tried to keep my mind steady, but the weight of what I’d learned from Lucian gnawed at me. He wasn’t marrying me for love or even affection. I was simply a piece in his grand scheme to secure power. He wanted to usurp his brother. By any means possible.

I should have known, he had discarded his ex wife because he felt she served no purpose for him any more and now I was his new target because of my connections with Braam. 

I paced my chambers as night fell, Kaelin’s amulet heavy against my chest. The longer I thought about Lucian’s words, the angrier I became. How dare he use me as a pawn? Yet, wasn’t I doing the same to him?

A knock at the door startled me out of my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and King Rowan stepped inside, his expression dark and his eyes locked on mine.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay calm.

Rowan closed the door behind him, leaning against it as if to block any chance of escape. “You and I need to talk,” he said, his tone low and sharp.

“I don’t see what we could possibly have to discuss,” I said, folding my arms.

“Oh, I think you do,” he replied, taking a step closer. “What are you playing at, Arin?”

I frowned, tilting my head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t lie to me,” he snapped, his voice cutting through the air. “You think I don’t see it? My brother’s sudden desperation to marry you? The engagement? The rush to announce the engagement? There is something going on, and I know you’re part of it.”

I took a step back, my heart pounding. “I’m not sure what you’re accusing me of, Your Majesty.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “I’m accusing you of aligning yourself with Lucian to undermine me. My brother has wanted the throne ever since I took it from him. I’m sure he wants nothing more than to have it back, at whatever cost.” 

My breath caught, and I forced myself to laugh. “That’s ridiculous. Why would I do that? Why would I involve myself in a silly plan like that?” 

“You tell me,” he said, closing the distance between us. His presence was overwhelming, his voice low and dangerous. “Why else would you agree to marry him so quickly? There must be something you’re after. Were you sent by your country to destroy court?!” 

“I agreed to marry him because I care for him,” I said, lifting my chin.

His lips curled into a bitter smile. “Care for him? You barely know him. Spare me your lies Lady Arin.” 

“Sometimes that’s all it takes,” I said, my voice steady despite the heat rising between us.

Rowan shook his head, his frustration evident. “You’re lying. I can see it in your eyes. You’re hiding something. You are conniving with my brother.” 

“I’m not hiding anything,” I insisted, though the weight of his gaze made it hard to hold my ground.

He leaned in closer, his voice a low growl. “I don’t believe you. You think I can’t see through this act of yours?”

“Then don’t believe me,” I shot back, my own frustration boiling over. “Think whatever you like, Your Majesty. But I don’t owe you an explanation.”

His jaw tightened, his eyes blazing. “You owe me the truth.” 

“And why do you care so much?” I demanded. “If Lucian and I marry, what difference does it make to you? You are married. You have your own wife. Why not let your brother have the same thing?” 

Rowan’s silence was deafening. For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. But then he took another step closer, his voice soft but full of intensity. “Because I know my brother. I know what he’s capable of. Every second of his time he is plotting how to take me down. And this sudden idea to marry you when he hasn’t been interested in any woman ever since Delilah is suspicious.” 

I swallowed hard, the proximity between us making it difficult to think clearly. His words were laced with possessiveness, and the tension crackling in the air was impossible to ignore.

“I’m not a pawn,” I said quietly, my voice trembling slightly. “Not for Lucian. Not for anyone. Not even you, your Majesty.” 

“Then prove it,” Rowan said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Tell me what you’re really after.”

“I’m marrying Lucian because I want to,” I said, though even I could hear the doubt in my voice.

Rowan’s eyes searched mine, his expression unreadable. “You’re lying to yourself as much as you’re lying to me.”

“You don’t know anything about me,” I said, my voice trembling with anger.

“I know enough,” he said, his voice low and firm. “And I’ll find out the rest. You can count on that. You won’t be spared if I find out that you were working with my brother.” 

He took a step back, his gaze never leaving mine. “Whatever game you’re playing, Arin, you won’t win. I won’t let you.”

................

The next day, I was invited to the Queen’s chambers. I entered the sunlit dining room, the scent of freshly baked pastries and the soft hum of conversation greeted me. Queen Isabelle sat at the head of the table, her posture regal, her gaze cool as she watched me approach. To her left was the dowager queen, her expression unreadable, and to her right sat the royal concubine, Elana, whose eyes narrowed the moment she saw me. Seeing all of them together made me nervous, extremely nervous, but Kaelin had taught me not to show fear, so I would not. 

“Lady Arin,” Queen Isabelle said with a thin smile, gesturing to an empty seat. “Join us.”

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral as I took the offered chair. “Your Majesty, thank you for inviting me.”

“It’s important to prepare you for your upcoming engagement,” Isabelle said, her tone polite but clipped. “The dowager Queen and the Prince’s mother and I have been discussing and we wanted to let you know about a few things you need to do before the engagement. There are certain traditions you’ll need to understand and respect if you are to join this family.”

I smiled faintly. “I look forward to learning.”

Elana snorted, dabbing at her mouth with a napkin. “I hope you’re not expecting this to be easy. Being part of the royal family requires more than just wearing pretty dresses.”

“I’m aware,” I replied evenly, meeting her sharp gaze.

The dowager queen spoke next, her voice slow and deliberate. “Before your engagement to Prince Lucian is official, you must swear loyalty to Alpha King Rowan and take the initiation into our pack. It’s tradition.”

“Pack?” I asked, feigning ignorance, though my heart began to race.

“You’re going to be a member of the royal family when you marry Lucian, so you have to be part of the pack,” Queen Isabelle explained. “It’s a sacred bond, sealed with the magic of the moon goddess. Once you’re initiated, your loyalty to the Alpha King—Rowan—will be unbreakable.”

“And if I refuse?” I asked, my voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air.

Elana let out a sharp laugh. “You won’t have a choice. If you marry Lucian, you must submit to the Alpha King, he is the alpha of all the clans in the kingdom. That’s how it works.”

I turned to Queen Isabelle, my tone firm. “I won’t do it.”

The room fell silent.

“You won’t?” Isabelle repeated, her eyes narrowing.

“No,” I said, sitting straighter. “I don’t see why I should. My loyalty is to my country, not to King Rowan.”

The dowager queen frowned deeply. “That’s not how it works, child. Refusing the initiation is an insult to the royal family. To the pack.”

“I understand your traditions,” I said carefully, “but I don’t believe I should have to swear loyalty to someone other than the Emperor of Braam. Besides, I’m only here in a diplomatic assignment, marrying Prince Lucian just happened to be a catch.” 

Elana leaned forward, her voice dripping with disdain. “You think you’re above our laws? You’re an outsider. You’re lucky to even be sitting at this table. You’re lucky my son even considered you in the first place. You’re far beneath him.” 

“Enough, Elana,” Queen Isabelle said sharply, though her gaze remained fixed on me. “Lady Arin, do you realize what you’re saying? By refusing the initiation, you’re rejecting the very foundation of our family.”

“I’m not rejecting anything,” I replied calmly, though my blood was boiling. “I’m simply standing by my principles.”

Elana shook her head, laughing bitterly. “Principles? You mean arrogance.”

“Call it what you want,” I shot back. “But I won’t swear loyalty to someone I don’t trust.”

The tension in the room was suffocating. The dowager queen exchanged a look with Isabelle, who sighed heavily.

“You’re making enemies, Lady Arin,” Isabelle said coldly. “This defiance will not be forgotten.”

“Do whatever you must,” I said, rising from my seat. “But my decision is final.”

“And you can ask Prince Lucian, I’m sure he won’t mind me missing out on tradition.” 

Without waiting for a response, I turned and left the room, my heart pounding.