<h4>Chapter 216: Just Be Careful</h4>


    He hated that she needed it.


    And yet, he told her anyway.


    Because he loved her.


    Because this was war—and she was his queen.


    "Thank you."


    "Just be careful."


    Luna nodded, cing her head back on hisp.


    She tucked herself close to him again. Her cheek pressed against his thigh as his fingers found her hair, stroking absentmindedly.


    *****


    The exchange had happened sessfully. Lurent had been grabbed and was currently tied up and gagged in the vehicle Talon was driving with the queen in the backseat.


    Lurent’s muffled groans filled the silence between them. He thrashed a little, but the reinforced vampire-grade restraints held. The queen hadn’t said a word since they left Thessa’s home. She stared ahead, unblinking.


    As expected, the vehicle wasn’t searched.


    The car came to a stop in front of the Royal home. Talon got out quickly, opening the door for her without a word. She stepped out, pausing only briefly to nce at the trunk.


    "I’lle by in a bit. In the meantime, I want to know everything there is to know about Gabriel." She told Talon.


    Talon drove the car to the location Luna had given him and offloaded his grunting package from the trunk.


    Overgrown weeds swayed in the wind. The air smelled of damp stone. The entrance to the old dungeon was hidden behind a shed. But beneath it, stairs twisted deep into the earth, into a past soaked in blood and forgotten screams.


    He opened the trunk, grabbed Lurent by the cor, and yanked him upright. The man groaned, his eyes wide and confused, trying to shout past the gag.


    Talon shoved him forward down the steps, into the heart of the dungeon.


    The walls were wet with condensation, and the torches along the corridor flickered weakly, recently lit by Luna’smand. Talon gripped Lurent’s shoulder tightly, pushing him along the damp path as the scent of rusted iron and mildew filled the air.


    It was really old and there were quite a few torture devices lined on the walls.


    Racks. Hooks. Chains. Implements of agony that hadn’t seen use in decades. The walls bore stains that could never be scrubbed clean, and Lurent’s eyes grew even wider as he realized where he was.


    He began to struggle more frantically now, his body iling as fear overtook confusion.


    Talon shoved him forward through an old wrought-iron gate that groaned on its hinges. They entered a disused part of the dungeon.


    Without ceremony, Talon forced him down onto a b of stone and began to bind him with thick sun star threaded cuffs, locking his hands behind his back. The cuffs hissed against his skin.


    Talon stepped back, pulled the gag from his mouth.


    "I know you... you are with the Queen. A werewolf. What do you want from me?" Lurent stammered, saliva sticking to his dry lips..


    "I’ll be asking the questions, Mr. Lurent," Talon said coolly, his tone sharp as a dagger’s edge. He crossed his arms. "But let me answer yours first. I want to know everything about Lord Gabriel—what he knows about the royal family, and how he knows it."


    Lurent’s brow creased in disbelief. "You kidnapped me for that?" He gave a dry, incredulousugh that bordered on hysterical. "I’ll tell you for free. I would have if anyone had bothered to ask me about it. I hate the man."


    "You work for him."


    "I am just his butler," Lurent hissed, exasperation sharpening his voice. "Some of us need the jobs. Not all of us are born with royal blood. I keep his house. I know things."


    Talon’s lips twitched. "Well, this is easier than I thought," he murmured, stepping closer, his shadow falling over Lurent. "Tell me what you know then."


    And Lurent... sang.


    He talked fast, nervously. Names. ces. He even mentioned an envelope from the luna of the werewolf kingdom.


    *****


    The next morning, Luna stood by the long breakfast table, still in her robe. Beside her, the scent of rich coffee filled the air from the silver breakfast trayid out by the pce staff. Damien was adjusting his jacket as he prepared for his day at the Royal Empire.


    Then the heavy double doors creaked open, and Talon stepped in, looking distinctly pleased with himself.


    "Talon!" Luna called, her tone expectant. She could tell from the rxed nt of his shoulders and the rare smile ying on his lips—it was good news.


    Damien, without missing a beat, nced up and let out a low chuckle. "Talon! The werewolf spy!" he said, voice tinged with mockery. "It’s quite early to put me on a leash, don’t you think?"


    "Damien, be nice!" Luna chided gently, moving to stand beside her husband. Her fingers brushed down his arm in a subtle gesture of affection.


    Talon gave a short bow. "Good morning, Your Majesties."


    "I’m guessing it went well," Luna said, her voice edged with anticipation.


    Damien tilted his head and shot a look between them. "What went well?" he asked, then raised a hand with a sigh. "You know what, I promised I won’t ask. I’m not asking."


    "Actually, Your Highness..." Talon stepped forward. "You will want to hear this."


    Damien straightened. The casual humor drained from his face, reced by the dangerous stillness Luna recognized as his true royal demeanor.


    "Oh..." he said. "Now I’m listening."


    Luna, heart skipping slightly, gave a single nod—permission to proceed.


    "I just found out that people close to us have been giving Lord Gabriel information," he said, his tone controlled. "Very close."


    Luna’s heart clenched, and Damien’s jaw twitched as if he were holding back a growl. The room seemed to still around them, the air heavier.


    "Close to us?" Damien echoed.


    "Alpha King Kyllian’s Luna sent a letter to Lord Gabriel. Lurent doesn’t know what it contains."


    "Jane?!" Luna eximed. "Are you kidding me? My own people?"


    No. It couldn’t be.


    But it was.


    Luna’s breath caught in her throat as a wave of nausea rolled over her. She clenched her fists at her sides, fighting back the tremble in her limbs.