Page 12 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)

CHAPTER TEN

SLOANE

A s I spend the late morning in my room, I feel alive in a way I haven’t in years. Every sense is improved, every thought electric. A determination has settled inside me, but unlike the doubt that’s plagued me since signing that damn contract, there’s only clear, deliberate focus.

Clara left me in my room to search her boxes, and I’ve taken the morning to write my thoughts out before burning them in the fireplace, leaving no trace of what I’ve learned beyond what’s safe in my mind.

Coming to Venaris was supposed to be the saving grace for my people, but it’s become my own.

I’m still not sure this is where my pack will stay, but I know this kingdom is where I’m meant to be right now.

Even though I know Aeson isn’t someone I can trust. At least the version of him that’s ruling this kingdom.

The man in the cave—my mate, who looks just like Aeson—remains at the forefront of my thoughts. Who is he? Is he the real Aeson? If not, how is he connected to Aeson? Who put him there? Why is he bound to that wall? How long has he been there? And what does all this mean for me and my pack?

So many questions now that I’m being directly influenced by the bond. Yet, the answers all elude me.

At least I know that my connection with Aeson was never real. I see that now. It was familiarity, a thread of recognition. Not love. Not fate. I’d been so desperate for answers that I’d let it mean something else when I should’ve known better.

Now that I’m seeing things for what they are—Aeson being up to something I don’t yet understand and my mate trapped under this castle—it’s easier to keep my emotions in check.

My thoughts have quickly become more deliberate, focusing only on the facts.

Not on what might be or what could be or any sort of emotion.

Even for my mate.

I meant what I said to Clara before. If the man in the cave is more monster than prisoner, I’ll put him down myself. There’s no more second-guessing who I am and what needs to be done.

But that doesn’t mean I’m going to hesitate to free him. I need to know more. Especially why he seemed so hell-bent on not being set free.

Okay. Maybe my emotions aren’t done taking a front seat here. I can’t deny him pushing me away only made me want to know more. Vile creatures don’t normally beg to be left captive.

I drag my hands over my face and exhale sharply. I can’t do this alone. I need Clara to learn more about the runes, and I’m going to need help postponing the bonding ceremony. I can keep up pretenses as long as I don’t have to tie myself to him.

That’s a line I’ll no longer cross. Contract be damned .

Which is why I’m now waiting on the phone to be connected to Estee.

We didn’t get to spend a lot of time together when I was in Selaris, but it was enough that I believe asking for her help now isn’t a risk to my plans.

Estee is unapologetically genuine and full of fire beneath her regal exterior. If there’s anyone who’ll gladly throw a dagger into Aeson’s plan with me, it’s her.

After several minutes of silence, she finally answers with an air of surprise in her tone. “Queen Sloane. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

I sit up straighter on my bed, holding the phone securely to my ear. “I’m not sure you’ll think this is a pleasure once I tell you what I need.”

Her laugh comes easily, rich with amusement. “Didn’t you figure this out about me? I live for trouble. How can I help?”

“Well, first, do you know why Theo and Asher have declined to come to my bonding ceremony to Aeson?”

There’s quiet then a low, warning growl that makes me grin.

This is a good start.

“What?” The rumble in her words is endearing. “I know nothing about this, but I assure you that’s about to change. When is it?”

I grimace. “It’s supposed to be in a few days, but if I can get all of you to agree to come, I’d like to use that as a reason to push things out a bit. Maybe give me another couple days to sort out my other problem.”

“Are you going to leave me in suspense?” She says it lightly, but I know if I don’t share everything, I could lose a valuable ally before I’ve even had her.

“You know the issues I’ve had with my land, right?

” She offers a quick confirmation before I continue.

“Well, Alcaris has officially run out of fresh water, and I’ve moved my pack to Venaris.

I’ve been living in the castle for a couple weeks now, but it wasn’t until these last few days that things have become more… suspicious.”

“You have me intrigued already. How so?” she asks promptly.

“Well, for one, there are runes and dark magic within the castle. Ones I have a connection to. Or at least what they’re hiding.”

“Oh, Sloane.” She laughs. “And here I thought you lived a rather quiet life. This sounds like my kind of fun. What did you find?”

There’s no hesitation in my next two words. “My mate.”

There’s a pause before she lets out a long breath. “Considering you were just talking about bonding with Aeson, I’m assuming this is more complicated than it should be?”

“You’re assuming right,” I say solemnly. “The man I found, my mate, is chained beneath this castle in a cave-like setting that I think is placed in the basement. Even more confusing, he said that he doesn’t want me to set him free. His exact words were: ‘He’ll kill you if he knows you found me.’”

“Well, that’s ominous,” Estee replies. “Though, if you’re the queen I know you to be, I doubt that means much to you if he’s really your fated mate.”

“Correct.” I switch hands and wipe my palm over my comforter. “I have no intention of letting my guard down, but I can’t leave him there either. Not until I understand who the real monster in this castle is.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Estee asks with piqued interest.

I glance toward the closed bedroom door, using my senses to check for the third time that I’m still alone before answering.

There isn’t a heartbeat to be heard outside my room, so I continue.

“Aeson isn’t who he’s portrayed himself to be.

He’s mentioned how large and powerful our pack will be once we’re mated.

His offer to help my people no longer seems as genuine as I once allowed myself to believe. ”

She scoffs. “Don’t put any of this on you or the decisions you’ve made.

As a fellow queen, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my people.

You saw hope, just as anyone would have, and you took it.

If Aeson isn’t the honorable king he’s supposed to be, we’ll fix that before he even knows what’s coming for him.

You’re not alone in this, Sloane. I’m glad you called, and I’ll make sure we’re there when you need us. ”

“Thank you, Estee.” I breathe easier, relaxing back onto the pillows. “This means more to me than I can say.”

“You were there for us when we needed it,” she reminds me. “I’m happy to repay the favor.”

Thankfully, I believe she truly means that. We firm up a few more details, and she promises to call Isla for me as well. Right after she has a conversation with her mate, who’s currently hiding from her.

Smart man.

Now, it’s time for me to help Clara with her part.

The day slips away in a blur of unpacking and searching.

Clara and I sift through every box, each one a gamble—clothes, trinkets, old journals.

Nothing useful. Aeson checks in more than once.

His presence lingers like smoke, suffocating and impossible to ignore.

He’s watching me. But I smile each time, like a dutiful queen-to-be.

It isn’t until after the sun has set that we finally find the books Clara believes will hold answers for us, their spines cracked with age, pages faded and brittle. Clara’s breath hitches as she pulls the first volume free, fingers tracing the worn title. Magic Bound by Sacrifice .

“Here,” she whispers, sliding the book onto the desk and flipping the cover open.

I move to stand behind her, heart pounding in my chest, when the door swings open.

Aeson strides in, his grin wide and eyes unnaturally bright. “There you are.” He crosses the room in three long strides, arms looping around my waist as he lifts me clear off the ground. “ You are going to be the most excellent queen.”

I start to question him, but his lips crash over mine in a kiss that has my muscles tensing, that churns my stomach. It’s quick, thoughtless, possessive.

“I don’t know what you did, but King Asher and King Theo will be here in six days.” His smile broadens as he sets me down. “That means we need to postpone the ceremony for a few days, but for a proper audience, I didn’t think you’d mind.”

My mind spins so violently it nearly knocks me off balance. It worked. Estee must’ve pulled the right strings. But I can’t even savor the victory because my lips burn from his kiss, my wolf snarling beneath my skin like she’s been scorched.

“Pretend you’re happy and not disgusted!” Clara’s voice slices through my mind.

Right.

I plaster on a radiant smile, my hands pressing against his chest as if to steady myself. “Of course I don’t mind. Estee said she’d do her best to rearrange her schedule to get here on time still, but what’s a couple of days in the grand scheme of things?”

He grabs my chin, still smiling widely. “Gods, I can’t wait until you’re mine.” He glances around the room before coming back to meet my stare. “Clara can handle the rest of her boxes. Let’s go celebrate our success over dinner.”

“I’ve got this,” Clara speaks through our mental connection. “Don’t push him away when we’re this close to answers.”

I hate that she’s right, but I nod at Aeson’s suggestion, forcing excitement into my tone. “As long as there’s dessert, I’m yours for the evening.”

His thumb lightly glides over my lower lip, his eyes darkening. “For you, there will always be dessert.”

Don’t vomit in his face, Sloane. Don’t do it.

Clara coughs, but I can hear the laugh she’s trying to hide. My advisor is going to enjoy my torture a little too much.

“Thank you, my queen, for your help today,” Clara finally says out loud. “I’m glad to be getting settled in.”

Aeson wraps an arm around my waist. “If you need anything for the rest of the evening, Dasha’s available to you.”

With those final words, Aeson guides me out of the room. I want to look back at Clara, to beg her to get me out of this dinner, especially with how touchy-feely Aeson is tonight, but this is part of my role.

Feign affection. Smile brightly. Lie my ass off.

Most importantly, don’t get caught.

I need to make sacrifices to find answers, and if that means kissing a man who’s been lying to me, my lips will just have to understand.

My wolf snarls within my mind once more, but her temper only flares briefly. Even she can’t deny that if we’re going to set our mate free, we need to keep Aeson’s suspicions down.

He needs to believe that power is just as important to us as it is to him .

The hallway is quieter than usual, only the soft patter of our footsteps and the distant hum of castle life filling the space. Aeson keeps me tucked against his side, hand warm at my waist. It’s meant to be intimate, but all I feel is confined.

“We should plan a dinner for the night of the kings and queens’ arrival,” I tell him, musing over a few ideas.

“Clara and Dasha should prepare their rooms now in case they arrive early. And we’ll need the finest carriages reserved to bring them from the docks to the castle, making sure to take the path through town, of course.

Oh, and the kitchen should be stocked with their favorite foods.

Everything should be perfect, and everyone should know that the other rulers of Lunara have made an effort to appear for our ceremony. ”

If I pretend there’s a lot to do, maybe I can get out of this dinner sooner rather than later…

Aeson kisses the side of my head. “Oh, my queen. I love your eagerness to make our special day one that won’t soon be forgotten. But don’t you worry about any of that. I have this under control. All you need to focus on is being here in this castle and accepting your role as the Queen of Venaris.”

My steps falter.

There it is.

The tightening of his grip, the edge in his voice.

Control .

This time, though, I don’t hold back my discontent over his statement. There’s such a thing as “too agreeable” and that’s not who I’ve ever been. I won’t pretend otherwise, even for this.

Just before we reach the dining room, I stop him and look directly into the blue eyes that no longer feel as welcoming as they once did. “I thought I made it clear that I’m an active queen, and I intend to stay one. If this is going to be a problem for you… ”

He shakes his head before I can say much more. “Not at all. I was merely trying to remove any added stress from your life. Losing your kingdom can’t be easy, even if we do have much to celebrate. If staying busy is what you need, please do so.”

I don’t miss the condescension hidden beneath his smile.

He’s trying to make me sound weak. Gods, if I didn’t have to play nice…

I switch the subject before I lose my temper.

“Speaking of staying busy. More of my items will be brought over from the Alcaris castle over the next couple of days,” I tell him, deciding to ruffle him right back.

“I won’t have enough room to store everything in the room with me, but I’d like to keep my belongings close.

Do you mind if I utilize the attic or basement for things I don’t immediately need? ”

His jaw tightens and eyes darken, but only briefly. If I hadn’t been watching for any signs, I might’ve missed them entirely as he leads us into the dining room, his hand burning into my lower back. “If you leave what you don’t need right now in the foyer, I’ll make sure it’s safely stored.”

I smile and nod as I take my seat to dine with him.

He didn’t say I couldn’t do it myself.

Checkmate, King Aeson.