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Chapter 12 - Return to the Palace
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2023-09-18 04:00:39My stomach twists with anxiety as our three horses approach the palace. The sun is almost fully risen, which means that soon the palace will wake up - that Mahl will wake up and have the chance to notice that I’m gone.
“Can we go any faster?” I murmur, glancing over my shoulder for probably the hundredth time even though I’m fully aware that there’s no one behind me except Auden’s guard, Richard. Richard doesn’t take his eyes off the road ahead of us, but I know he’s watching my every move – that he’s been ordered to, just in case I’m stupid enough to try and run again.
“If we go any faster,” Auden replies tightly under his breath, “we’ll draw attention to ourselves.”
I know he’s right – and I know he’s frustrated because he’s already explained that to me twice before. Our goal right now is to look like an everyday Alpha and Luna heading to the palace with their guard for the continued festivities. They’ve dressed me for the part, too, in an elegant
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King Mahl stands glaring at us, his whole body tensed with the effort of not transforming into his wolf and leaping at us. I feel my breath come short in my chest, terrified despite Auden’s assurance that he will quickly get this under control.Mahl’s eyes are fixed on me and I can see the threat in the steady flame burning there, the tension in each of his muscles. He immediately suspects betrayal and he’s ready to make me pay for it, no questions asked.That’s how Mahl rules, after all: by making sure that everyone knows that he can rip those who betray him to shreds and that he’s ready to do it at the barest whiff of disloyalty.The threat feels very real to me as we stop our horses a few feet from the King and Auden swings his leg over his horse’s saddle, dropping easily to the ground. Auden turns to Mahl, taking his horse’s bridle in his hand and giving the King a short bow. “Father,”
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“Father,” Auden says, pitching his voice so that everyone can hear. “I hope that you will allow me to introduce you to two important young people,” he says, nodding to my kids. “Vivianna and Niall. Your grandchildren.”The court goes mad at these words, a flurry of gasps and whispers rippling through the crowd like wind through a field of wheat. I barely blink as I watch people turn to each other, wide-eyed and delighted at the scandal. I watch my son flinch and gasp, shocked by the sudden noise; watch Auden’s hand land comfortably on the back of Niall’s head, stroking his hair, an act that makes Niall jump again for a moment before looking steadily up at his father.Vivianna turns a little, attempting to glare around at everyone at once, clutching her little dragon close to her chest as if she would take on the entire crowd.My heart soars with love for Vivi suddenly, for my brave girl. I worry for Niall – wonder if he will thrive in this world – but Vivianna? About her I have no dou
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Vivi steps forward readily but Niall hangs back, leaning hard against Auden’s leg. A fond smile flashes across Auden’s face as he begins to move forward, nudging Niall to go along with him. Mahl sees Niall’s reticence too and, luckily, turns his attention to Vivi first. “Well?” Mahl says, looking the girl over from head to toe. “And who are you?” “I’m Vivianna,” Vivi says, staring straight at Mahl as if he’s a little stupid. I laugh inwardly because I can almost read her mind - she knows that the King knows her name; she just heard him announce it to the whole court. Mahl chuckles, perhaps realizing this as well. “Well, Vivianna,” he continues, “I am very glad to meet you.” “He told me you are going to be my grandfather,” Vivi says, lifting her chin towards Auden. I bite my lip to keep from laughing at the way she narrows her eyes at her father, as if he might have been lying to her. “He also said,” she continues, turning back to Mahl to study him, “that you’re a King. Is that true
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Margot settles in on the lounge as I move to the bell pull by the side of my bed, giving it two tugs that I know will send Tara up with some coffee. Then I move to her side. “So,” I say, leaning close, glancing just once at the door to the children’s room. “How did it…go?”“Oh, it went fine!” Margot says, laughing lightly and stretching her arms up above her head. “It always does. Honestly, Everleigh, there’s no need for concern. You weren’t awake and upset all night, were you?”I pause for a moment, kind of shocked now that she suggests it. But I shake my head. “No,” I whisper. “I kind of…slept beautifully.”Margot grins at me and glances over at my bedside. “Two cakes, Everleigh!” she says, laughing a little and reaching out to lightly smack my knee. “Be careful not to overdose.”My eyes go wide.She grins. “Just kidding, that’s not possible. Don’t worry so much. Did you have sweet dreams too?”I blush and she laughs, but I shake it off, knowing she doesn’t have the true details unle
