<b>CHAPTER </b><b>101 </b>
I tried really hard to push my suspicions of King Arthur aside. It wasn’t easy–every instinct in me whispered that there was more to his actions than what he let on, that some hidden motive lingered beneath his calm words and steady gaze. But I forced myself to remember who he was, what he had already endured, and the weight of the crown that pressed upon his shoulders every single day. I knew that he had his faults–ws that any ruler might carry, moments of weakness and decisions that could be questioned–but I also knew, deep down, that he would never deliberately harm his people. For all his mistakes, his heart still beat for his home, and for the dream of a kingdom that stood united and strong.
And beyond that, I reminded myself that he wouldn’t turn against us either. We weren’t enemies to him–we were allies, bound by a shared hope to see his realm restored to its former glory. Every step we took, every risk we braved, was for the same purpose: to help him rebuild what had been lost. I clung to that belief like a lifeline, even when the shadows of doubt tried to creep in. Because if I let go of that trust–if I truly began to doubt Arthur–then everything we had fought for would unravel.
I sat off to the side watching everyone go about their new daily routines while trying to stay hidden from the Ash Queen and that’s when Arthur was the one that made the first move.
“Lyra. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be pushing you into something that could get you killed.” Arthur said, his voice low but urgent.
“Well, yes. We both know it’s dangerous. What I don’t understand is why you insist I go there <b>alone</b><b>–</b>without my warriors.” I shot back.
“Because if you bring them, it screams invasion. Just us? We’re less of a threat. She might talk. She might not run.” He leaned forward. “But if you’re too afraid–th we won’t go.”
My jaw tightened. “Don’t twist this into fear. I’m not afraid, Arthur. I’m cautious. There’s a difference.”
Silence stretched, heavy. He sank into the chair beside me, studying me.
“There’s something I don’t understand.” He said finally.
“What?” My tone was sharper than I intended.
“I’ve seen your power. I know what you’re capable of. So tell me why is Elias the one on the throne in your world? Why isn’t it you?”
My chest tightened. “It’s not his throne. It’s ours. We rule together. Every decision, every battle, every alliance–we share it.”
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< CHAPTER 101
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Arthur shook his head slowly. “That’s weakness where Ie from. One throne, one ruler. Splitting power is asking for betrayal.”
My eyes narrowed. “You don’t understand because you don’t live in my world. In mine, loyalty isn’t bought with fear. It’s built. It’s trusted.”
“And what happens,” Arthur pressed, “when Elias decides he no longer wants to share?”
Heat rushed through me. “That will never happen.”
Arthur’s lips curved into something between a smile and a sneer. “<i>You </i>say that with such certainty. But power… it changes people, Lyra. It makes them lie. It makes them turn.”
The air between us felt sharp, electric. I folded my arms across my chest.
“Then maybe you should worry less about my mate,” I said, “and more about whether I’ll still trust <b>you </b>after this.”
Elias then walks around from the side of a hut and even though he was acting like he didn’t hear anything, I knew that he did. I knew that he was listening to the whole conversation. But I didn’t care.
He knew how I felt on the subject and I could feel that he was just happy that I was sticking up for werewolves instead of bowing down to Arthur and his ridiculous notions of what royalty should be.
“I really think we should get moving. I don’t like just sitting here.” Elias said.
“But we don’t have a n.” Arthur said.
“I know. But I’ve lost contact with a group of wolves that were staying with some survivors. I need <i>to </i><i>go </i>and check on them.” Elias said.
So I stood up and started getting my stuff together as well.
“Lyra. This is something a King should do on his own.” Arthur said. <fn3676> Chapters first released on find?novel</fn3676>
“If you just said that <i>to </i>me then you really don’t know me at all, do you?” I asked.
“How far away are they?<i>” </i>Arthur asked.
“They were in some underground tunnels.” Elias said.
“You think they’re in trouble?” I asked.
“They’ve been checking in every hour like they’re supposed to. I haven’t heard from them for a while. Long enough to be worried.” Elias said.
< CHAPTER 101
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We decided it was wiser to leave a portion of our warriors behind to guard the vige–its people had already endured enough, and we couldn’t risk leaving thempletely unprotected. The rest of us gathered what supplies we could carry and began the slow journey toward the underground caves.
Elias and I walked side by side at the front of the group, our footsteps crunching softly on the uneven path. Neither of us spoke much at first; there was an unspoken tension hanging between us, the kind that came before entering the unknown. Ahead, the faint outline of the cave system loomed like the gaping maw of some ancient beast waiting in silence.
The wolves, ever vignt, darted in and out of our sight, their sharp eyes and keen senses sweeping thend long before we reached it. Every so often, one would pause, ears pricked, ensuring the way was clear. Their presence gave mefort–our guardians, both fierce and loyal, watching over us as we pressed onward. Still, I couldn’t shake the prickling unease crawling along the back of my neck. The caves were said to hold more than just darkness.
“I think we should probably shift. I’m getting a really uneasy feeling here<i>.</i>” Elias said.
“You too? I thought that was just me.” I said.
We looked around and made sure the warriors were busy before we stripped off our clothes and we shifted into our wolves.
As soon as we were in wolf form we started running towards the camp which took a lot less time than us in human form and as soon as we got to where the underground caves were located, we stopped.
Elias walked in first, his hand brushing against the rough stone wall as he disappeared into the narrow opening. I followed close behind, unwilling to let even a breath of space separate us in the shadows. The entrance itself had been difficult to find. It was clear that this concealment wasn’t idental. Whoever had carved or chosen this r had done so with purpose, making sure only those who truly knew where to look could ever stumble upon it.
The passage was tight, forcing us to move in single file, the damp air pressing in from all sides.
The first thing I saw when I walked into the caves was a smear of blood on the walls.
As we made our way further in we saw more blood sttered all over the walls but there were no wolves, no survivors from this realm and no bodies. Not until we turned around the corner and we found two bodiesying there wearing ck military type uniforms.
“They were attacked.” Elias mind linked me.
“Well, where the hell are they now? They obviously fled.” I said.
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“They either fled or they were taken. They wouldn’t have only sent two men to this cave.” Elias
said.
So I started walking around, trying to find whatever clue I could find. But there wasn’t much to go on except tracks that I knew would lead me back to the Ash Queen’s castle. And that’s not a ce I was willing to go yet.
<i>” </i>
Kylie K
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