Page 8 of A Reign of Malice (Wolves of Lunara #3)

CHAPTER SEVEN

SLOANE

T he rhythmic click of my shoes echoes through the stone halls of the castle as I make my way to the dining room, alone.

I told Clara and Trey to give us some privacy.

I thought that might allow Aeson to be more forthcoming, but even as I wonder if that was the right choice, I know it doesn’t really matter.

There’s a precision to my stride that I haven’t felt in weeks, a reminder of who I was before the haze of desperation settled over me. Of who I still am. I can do this, with or without them by my side.

The events of the evening cling to me, the pull of the runes and the voice that still lingers in the back of my mind.

Help. Find me.

My wolf had been desperate, drawn to something neither of us can fully explain. I expected to feel shame for being so easily lured into danger, but instead, there’s a fire burning inside me, a resolve that’s been missing for far too long.

I may not know what—or who—is trapped beneath this castle, but I refuse to be anyone’s fool. Aeson included. I’m going to figure this out .

As I arrive at the dining hall, Dasha is waiting near the door, her posture rigid and eyes carefully downcast. “His Majesty is running behind, Queen Sloane,” she says, her voice soft and polished but lacking warmth. “He asked that you please wait for him. He should be along shortly.”

Her tone is practiced, her manner almost mechanical. Her meekness makes my wolf stir with irritation. If she’s meant to be Aeson’s right hand, where’s her strength?

I offer her a polite smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “Thank you, Dasha. I actually need to speak to my advisor. I’ll return shortly.”

Her head dips in acknowledgment, her voice barely almost a whisper. “Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll inform King Aeson if he arrives before you.”

As I turn away, I can’t help feeling that something about her is off. But Dasha’s demeanor is the least of my worries right now.

“Where are you?” I reach out to Clara through our mental link, not wanting to waste time searching for her.

“My room,” she replies almost immediately. “ But I can come to you if ? —”

“I’ll be right there.” My stride lengthens, and I take the stairs three at a time, keeping my gaze focused.

Clara opens the door before I can knock, her expression already shifting to something between concern and vexation.

“What did he do now?” she asks, settling on annoyance. “Because if I need to cross a line, I’m ready. This kingdom doesn’t scare me.”

Her eyes narrow as she takes a closer look at me. Something changes about her—a flicker of realization.

“Oh,” she breathes, her lips curving into a wide grin. “This is what I’ve been waiting for. ”

I arch a brow, confused. “What are you going on about now?”

“You’ve got the look again,” she says, her tone bordering on smug.

“What look?” I ask, crossing my arms as I sink into one of the chairs near her fireplace.

“The one that’s brought kings and queens to their knees.

The one that tells me my queen is back.” She places a hand on my knee and squeezes briefly.

“I know you said you were done wallowing, but there was still a weariness holding you back. Whatever happened tonight has shattered the haze that was keeping you captive. Now, tell me everything.”

I chuckle as I shake my head. This woman knows me almost too well.

“I found something.”

Clara raises a brow. “Dead bodies?”

“Maybe worse.” My voice lowers. “There are runes on the backside of the castle, and they’re hiding something.”

Her grin vanishes, replaced by a look of intense focus. “Do tell.”

I recount everything that happened from the moment I shifted into my wolf form. She soaks up each word, leaning back in her seat as I speak quickly, knowing there isn’t much time before I’ll need to get back to the dining hall.

“And you think it’s a man?” she asks when I finish.

“I do,” I admit, leaning back in the chair. “The voice was deep, raw…desperate even. But that doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous. For all I know, he could be some kind of monster trapped down there for a reason.”

Clara’s lips press into a thin line. “Do you think Aeson knows?”

I glance out the window, my thoughts turning toward the king. “I don’t know. I can’t imagine if I found the energy so easily that he wouldn’t know of its existence, but with the way it’s been calling to me? Maybe he’s in the dark.”

Her eyes narrow, and her chest rumbles. “I don’t like that you feel as though you have a connection to this thing.”

She and I both, but there’s no ignoring whatever this is. I need to understand it before I officially become part of the Venaris kingdom.

I stand, knowing I’m out of time, and Clara follows me. At the door, she reaches for my hand. “Be careful, Sloane. We can’t afford to lose you. Not now.”

I squeeze her hand briefly, offering her a small, determined smile. “I haven’t lost a battle yet, and I don’t intend to now.”

Dinner is served in one of the smaller dining rooms—a more intimate setting than the grand hall used for formal occasions.

The heavy wooden table is set for two, polished to perfection, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows along the stone walls.

A carefully arranged spread of Venarian delicacies is laid out before me, but I’m not focused on the food.

Aeson is already waiting when I arrive, his dark blue eyes lighting up as he stands to pull out my chair.

“Sloane,” he greets smoothly, his voice rich with warmth. “You look radiant, my queen. Your run tonight did you good.”

I don’t let myself react to the casual possessiveness in his words, though my wolf bristles slightly at the familiarity.

“It did, thank you,” I reply, settling into my seat. “You’re as charming as ever. ”

He chuckles, that easy confidence rolling off him in waves. “Flattery will get you everywhere with me.”

I’m sure it will. And I intend to use that knowledge wisely.

The first course is served—roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and a warm, fragrant bread I don’t immediately recognize.

Aeson gestures for me to eat first, ever the gracious host. We fall into an effortless rhythm, discussing the arrival of my people, their transition into Venaris, and whether they’re adjusting well.

It’s all very cordial. Very…kingly. But I’m not here for pleasantries.

Between sips of wine, I watch him over the rim of my glass. “Venaris is a beautiful kingdom,” I say, swirling the deep red liquid thoughtfully. “But I’ve realized that I don’t know much about its history. Have you fought many battles?”

Aeson’s lips quirk into a half-smile, his gaze narrowing ever so slightly.

“A few,” he admits, setting his fork down.

“Nothing like what Lunara faced during the Dark Wars, of course. Venaris has always been more…reserved. A kingdom that thrives on stability, rather than chaos.” His eyes glint with something that makes me nauseous.

“Much like Alcaris. It’s one of the reasons I’ve admired you for so long. ”

“Quiet doesn’t always mean safe,” I muse, carefully keeping my tone neutral. “Polaris once thought the same. And yet, Queen Isla and King Asher were nearly destroyed when dark magic seeped through the cracks of their lands. Evil is clever like that. It waits, watching, until no one expects it.”

Aeson lifts a brow, his fingers tapping idly against the rim of his wine glass. “Dark magic has never scared me,” he says, his tone casual. “Nor has it ever been a problem for Venaris. ”

The words hang between us, thick with implication.

“Never?” I press, tilting my head slightly. “Not even a whisper of it throughout the years? I find that hard to believe. Even Alcaris carries the scars of those who thought they could wield such energy without consequence.”

His expression remains carefully composed, but there’s something in his stillness—a calculation behind his gaze. “Dark magic is like fire. It only becomes a problem if you allow it to burn you.”

A shiver prickles up my spine, but I keep my face impassive. “An interesting perspective,” I murmur, toying with the stem of my wine glass.

“Indeed.” He smiles, lifting his glass. “To perspectives, then. And to our shared future.”

I clink my flute against his, the sound ringing hollow in my ears. “A better kingdom for our people.”

We resume eating, but my mind is already working through everything he’s said.

Before, I allowed myself to only see what I wanted and needed to.

I let desperation cloud my instincts. But no more.

I thought I was trying to see something that wasn’t there, but it’s those invisible forces I need to remain focused on.

I glance at him, feigning amusement as he recounts a story about Venaris’s economic trade agreements.

He’s good at deflection. There’s an ease to him that could almost be disarming.

But I’ve played this game far too long not to recognize when someone is controlling the board.

At least now that I have all my wits about me again.

I push my plate away slightly, leaning in as if I’m suddenly more interested in him than my meal.

“You said Venaris has always been stable,” I say, keeping my voice light.

“Has that just been under your reign? What of the kings and queens before you? I feel as though I’ve been fighting my own war against the unknown in Alcaris, and I’m curious what battles other kingdoms have faced without anyone else realizing it.

Maybe a war long ago fought in shadows or even enemies silenced before they’ve had the chance to become real threats. ”

Aeson studies me, amusement flickering across his face. “You wound me, my dear,” he drawls, swirling his wine lazily. “You make it sound as if this castle might have a dungeon full of skeletons waiting to be uncovered.”

I don’t flinch, but I do hold my smile, raising a curious brow. “Does it?”

His grin doesn’t falter, but there’s a glint of something in his expression. A pause, just long enough to make me certain he’s hiding something. Something I’ve already found.

“Of course not,” he says smoothly, sipping his drink. “Our prior rulers have long understood the responsibility of power and wielded it wisely to avoid those sorts of circumstances.”

“That’s all very interesting,” I muse, resting my hand over his.

Aeson’s gaze sharpens. “You’re intrigued by it, are you?”

I match his smile, resting my chin against my knuckles. “I’m intrigued by many things. Power, magic, history, how our world has gotten to where it is.”

His smirk deepens. “I think we’re going to have more in common than I realized.”

At least he’s going to think so. And that comment is precisely why I can’t trust him.

As we finish the meal, silence stretches between us—not uncomfortable but laden with unsaid words. I smile when expected, nod when necessary, but beneath it all, my mind is working.

Aeson thinks I’m softening to him. That I’ve surrendered to my fate, that I’m interested in what possibilities wait for me here.

As long as I can keep it that way, I’ll be able to uncover the secrets this kingdom clearly has.

Aeson knows more than he’s letting on.

I might not yet have the upper hand, but now that the veil over my emotions has been ripped away, I know a deceitful king when I see one.

Every move I make will need to be well thought out, and I might even need to give Queen Estee a call. If things go wrong, I need someone outside these lands to know that not all is as it seems in Venaris.

Aeson’s gaze lingers on me as we rise from the table, his fingers brushing my cheek as he pulls me too close to his chest. “I hope you’ll come to trust me fully, Sloane,” he says softly. “We could be formidable together.”

I meet his gaze head-on, a slow smile curving my lips. “I suppose time will tell.”

As I leave the dining hall, I can’t help but think…

Time will do more than tell . It will reveal. And when it does, I’ll be ready.