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On My Coronation Day, I Rejected Three Mates
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00:01For 300 years, Valon had been ruled by the wolf clans.
00:06My father was the reigning wolf king, and I was his only daughter, Lux.
00:11When I was 14, I awakened my wolf spirit under the full moon.
00:15In front of every clan, my father announced,
00:18When comes of age, she will become the youngest queen Valon has ever seen.
00:24To bind the major clans to their future queen, my father chose three future concords for me.
00:30Cyrus of the Eagle Clan was cold and sharp.
00:34But whenever I lost my temper, he was always the first to lower his head.
00:38Princess, you may ask anything of me.
00:40Casper of the White Tiger Clan was beautiful, gentle, and far too good at making me smile.
00:49Princess, I cannot imagine my life without you.
00:52And then there was Vidicor of the Wolf Clan.
00:56My own kind.
00:58My childhood companion.
01:00The boy who had knelt before me in the Wolf King's Hall when I was 14, and sworn he would
01:05never betray me.
01:07Princess, I will always stand behind you, no matter what happens.
01:12I will never betray you.
01:13Only the man I favored most would wear the king consort's crown and stand beside me.
01:19Everyone believed my consort would be chosen from those three.
01:25So did they.
01:28So when a human healer named Lillia appeared, they dared to cross my limits again and again.
01:39Cyrus used his consort candidate's access pass to shield Lillia's infirmary.
01:44Casper broke the White Tiger Clan's most private rule for her.
01:49Vedicor brought Lillia into the Wolf Bloodline's sacred healing pool.
01:53That water belonged only to the Wolf King's family.
01:57Worse.
01:59When she walked out, she was wearing the plain grey dress he had given me on my 16th birthday.
02:05A gift I had kept for years.
02:08I went to confront them.
02:10They thought I was spoiled, possessive, not understanding.
02:15They thought that no matter how angry I became, I would still choose one of them in the end.
02:22But to me, a queen's throne had no room for disloyal men.
02:26Three days before my coronation, I burned the portraits of my three consort candidates,
02:32turned to my father and said,
02:33I choose Prince Atreus of the Snake Clan.
02:38My father's hand froze around the royal seal.
02:42The Snake Prince.
02:45Lux, do you understand what you are saying?
02:49I know.
02:50Atticus comes from the Black Marsh.
02:52The Snake Clan has been shunned by every clan for over a century.
02:57They are called dark, greedy, seductive.
03:01When they love, they wrap around you and swallow you whole.
03:10Your coronation is days away, and you want to put a man of the Snake Clan in the King Kong's
03:15place?
03:16Father, you taught me a crown should never be worn by someone who lets others choose for her.
03:21I lifted my eyes to his.
03:24They believe I cannot live without them.
03:27Then I will show them that their future queen can choose someone else.
03:32My father was silent for a long time.
03:37After a long silence, he slowly set down the seal.
03:42I can summon Atreus to the royal city for you.
03:47But think carefully.
03:49Once he steps onto the coronation platform, this decision will shake all of Valon.
03:55I am not doing this out of spite.
03:57I want loyalty.
04:01When I left the royal study, night had already fallen.
04:06At the far end of the palace corridor, the path leading to Lillia's infirmary was still lit.
04:14I should have gone straight back to my chambers.
04:18But that light at the end of the corridor was too bright.
04:21It stabbed at my eyes.
04:23So I turned and walked toward it.
04:25The infirmary was crowded.
04:27A wolf pup had been burning with fever until his throat was whore from crying.
04:34Lillia knelt on the floor with her sleeves rolled to her elbows, a small knife in her hand,
04:39about to cut open the infected wound on the pup's back.
04:42The pup's mother shook all over.
04:45You're human.
04:47Can you really save my child?
04:49If I don't drain the infection now, he won't survive the night.
04:52She had come to the royal city three months ago.
04:56She was a human healer.
04:58No wolf spirit.
05:01No animal form.
05:03Not a drop of noble blood.
05:06Yet she dared to walk into the territory of the beast clans, as if fear had no hold over her.
05:15Everyone said she was gentle and brave, everything my spoiled arrogance was not.
05:23I knew better than to trust that innocent face.
05:27Lillia knew very well that Cyrus, Casper, and Vedicore were supposed to become my concert candidates.
05:35Yet she still kept accidentally drawing close to them.
05:39Men of the Eagle Clan hated crowds.
05:43Cyrus especially.
05:44But now, not only was he personally handing Lillia medicine,
05:48he had also hung his candidate's access pass outside her infirmary door,
05:53using his own name to protect the place.
05:55My voice turned cold.
05:59Cyrus, come here.
06:03The infirmary went silent.
06:08Cyrus lifted his eyes to me.
06:11He did not move.
06:12He had never defied me before.
06:17When I was 14, my father brought him before me.
06:22His black wings were folded behind his back, his expression distant.
06:29Yet he was the first to bow his head.
06:33Once, I had deliberately tossed a palace pass to the edge of the highest tower,
06:39and asked if he dared retrieve it for me.
06:44If it is what your highness wants, I will bring it back with my own hands.
06:48Later he injured his shoulder in the storm, but still placed that pass back into my palm.
06:53But now, he stood beside Lillia and disobeyed me for the first time.
06:59I repeated myself.
07:01Cyrus, I told you to come here.
07:05Lillia's hand tightened around the knife.
07:08Cyrus finally walked toward me, but stopped halfway.
07:14Lux, don't make a scene here.
07:16A child is dying.
07:18Don't make everyone watch you throw a tantrum just because I helped Lillia.
07:22I stared at him.
07:24You hung a consort Candida's access pass outside Lillia's infirmary.
07:32She needed someone powerful enough to keep the clans from interfering.
07:37So you used the authority of my future consort to protect her.
07:42Cyrus, my father gave you that pass so you could enter the royal hall and support me.
07:49Not so you could become her shield.
07:51Cyrus' face darkened.
07:53You think the whole continent should revolve around you.
07:57Lux, a crown is not a leash you use to keep everyone at your side.
08:05Lillia murmured softly.
08:09Cyrus, don't.
08:10The softer she sounded, the more unreasonable I looked.
08:15Like a mad, jealous princess throwing a tantrum in front of a dying child.
08:22I looked at.
08:24Are you sure you want to stay by Lillia's side?
08:27The pup may relapse.
08:30Lillia cannot handle everything alone.
08:35After Asaimeth ran the return to the palace, I did not throw a fence.
08:41I did not smash anything.
08:43I simply summoned the steward and gave a calm order.
08:47Clear out the rooms Cyrus, Kasper, and Vidvedevok kept in the palace.
08:53The steward went pale.
08:55Your highness, those are the rooms of the three consort candidates.
08:59They won't need them for much longer.
09:04Less than half an hour later, Kasper arrived.
09:07He wore a loose, white robe, and his silver-white hair was still damp, as though he had rushed back
09:14from outside.
09:14Before, if my tone went even slightly cold, he would immediately soften his voice and coax me.
09:23Sometimes he would shift into his white tiger form and lower himself before my throne, letting me touch the mark
09:31between his brows.
09:32But this time, he stood at the door with red-rimmed eyes.
09:36Your highness, why are you clearing out my room?
09:39I sat at my desk, writing a letter to the snake clan.
09:43There was only one sentence on the paper.
09:46On the night of my coronation, Prince Atyrius of the snake clan is invited to the royal city.
09:52I did not look up.
09:53Don't you prefer staying with Lillia?
09:56Kasper stiffened.
09:58I was only helping her.
10:00I set down my pen and lifted my eyes.
10:03Helping her so thoroughly, that you let her ride your animal form?
10:07His face changed.
10:11I took out a memory stone and pressed it lightly against the desk.
10:18Light unfolded in the air.
10:20In the clearing behind the herb garden, Lillia stood in her pale healer's dress, holding onto a massive white tiger
10:27as she climbed onto his back.
10:29He lowered his spine and even curled his tail around her calf to keep her from falling.
10:35The white tiger lowered his head and let her hand rest on the mark between his brows.
10:42In that image, he was strong and beautiful, but he had given an outsider the one posture of surrender he
10:51should hone.
10:51To me.
10:52You once told me, the white tiger clan does not allow outsiders to ride their animal form.
11:00When we were fourteen, he shifted into his adult white tiger form in front of me for the first time.
11:07I wanted to sit on his back.
11:11He went silent for a long moment, then finally lowered his spine.
11:20Your Highness May.
11:22No one else.
11:24Now someone else could.
11:26Casper's face went from white to red.
11:31Leah was exhausted that day.
11:33I was just taking her back to the infirmary.
11:36She's human.
11:37She can't walk that far.
11:40I was only being helpful.
11:42You needed your animal form to be helpful?
11:45He frowned, irritation finally rising in his eyes.
11:52Lux, do you have to twist everything into something dirty?
11:54She is human.
11:57She doesn't have an animal form.
11:59She doesn't understand these rules.
12:02She doesn't understand.
12:04Do you?
12:06Casper had no answer.
12:10And before tonight,
12:12remove everything that belongs to you from the palace.
12:17Tears spilled from Casper's eyes.
12:20Are you really going to be this heartless?
12:23Yes.
12:24I handed the sealed letter to a guard.
12:28Send it to the Black Marsh.
12:30Place it in a Tricus's hands.
12:32Casper's head snapped up.
12:34Attacus, why are you writing to the Snake Clan?
12:41The Snake Clan's reply arrived the next morning.
12:45The black envelope was sealed with wax in the shape of a serpent.
12:51It contained only four words.
12:55Attacus's reply,
12:57As you wish.
13:00I placed the letter in a drawer and was about to go see my father when a maid rushed in,
13:05pale and breathless.
13:10Your Highness, Lord Vedicore brought Lila to your healing pool.
13:15My fingers stilled.
13:18The healing pool lay in Aneth, in the deepest part of the palace.
13:26It's water came from the Wolf Clan's sacred spring and was reserved for the Wolf King's bloodline alone.
13:33Every time I was injured during training, Vedicore would personally guard the entrance.
13:39No one else was allowed near it.
13:41He once said,
13:44This is your place.
13:46No one else belongs here.
13:49Now he had brought Lila inside.
13:51When I arrived, Lila had just stepped out of the pool.
13:55She wore a pale, grey dress.
13:58I recognized it at once.
14:00It was the dress Vedicore had given me on my 16th birthday.
14:05An ordinary, pale, grey dress.
14:08The fabric was not expensive.
14:11But Vedicore had bought it with the reward from his first patrol hunt.
14:16I still remembered how shy he looked when he handed it to me.
14:20Your Highness, I hope you like it.
14:23Lila was wearing it now.
14:26The hem was damp from the healing pool and clung to her legs.
14:32Vedicore stood beside her, checking the wound on her arm.
14:37When he saw me, he frowned.
14:41Lux, why are you here?
14:46Is there any place in Valon I am not allowed to enter?
14:53Vedicore, who gave you permission to touch my clothes?
14:57Lila hurried to her feet, her face pale.
15:02Your Highness, I'm sorry.
15:06I didn't know this dress was yours.
15:10Vericore said it was just the plainest dress in an old wardrobe.
15:13I looked at Vedicore.
15:15He truly had not recognized it.
15:18Or perhaps he had simply never cared enough to remember.
15:23After a pause, he said,
15:26She was cut by poisonous grass.
15:28Ordinary medicine would not work.
15:30I only borrowed your healing pool.
15:34Borrowed?
15:35You have so many fine dresses.
15:38He lowered his voice.
15:40Why are you losing your temper over the plainest old dress in the wardrobe?
15:44Something slammed hard into my chest.
15:48He had forgotten.
15:51He had forgotten that he had given me that dress.
15:54He had forgotten how he once promised it would keep me company in his place.
15:59He had also forgotten that the Wolf Clan's Sacred Spring was not meant for outsiders.
16:04I walked over to Lila,
16:06grabbed the healer's coat from the back of a chair,
16:09and tossed it into her arms.
16:13Lila stumbled back in fright.
16:17Vedicore immediately stepped in front of her.
16:20Lux!
16:23I looked at the old dress,
16:25wet and clinging to her body.
16:28Do you remember the oath you swore to me when we were fourteen?
16:33Vedicore's expression shifted.
16:36Of course he remembered.
16:38That year, under the full moon,
16:41I awakened my wolf spirit.
16:42A silver-white wolf shadow rose behind me.
16:47And the entire royal city cheered.
16:52Vedicore had knelt before me,
16:54and pressed his forehead to the back of my hand.
16:58I swear by the moon goddess.
17:01I will be loyal to you forever.
17:04Now he stood in front of Lyia,
17:06blocking me from her.
17:08Do not shame the moon goddess
17:10by making her witness what you have become.
17:14Lila bit her lip.
17:16Your highness,
17:17Your highness, I can leave.
17:18Please don't blame him.
17:19Shut up.
17:21Vedicore's face instantly turned cold.
17:24Lux, that is enough.
17:27You're raising your voice at me for her?
17:30I am warning you.
17:33Your coronation is tomorrow night.
17:36You cannot keep acting like a spoiled child
17:40who tears everything apart
17:41the moment someone stops pleasing her.
17:44I stared at him.
17:48Spoiled?
17:50Yes.
17:52If you continue like this,
17:54you do not deserve to wear your father's crown.
17:58I turned to the guards.
18:01From this day forward,
18:03without my permission,
18:05Vedicore and Lili are forbidden
18:06from entering the inner palace.
18:12I walked away without looking back.
18:18Soon it was the night before my coronation.
18:21In the mirror,
18:23I wore a black and gold gown
18:25with the heir's cloak of the wolf king
18:27draped over my shoulders.
18:29Every year before this,
18:31those three would compete
18:33to be the first to see me on my birthday.
18:38Cyrus would wait outside the highest tower
18:41the night before
18:42and escort me back to my room.
18:45Caspar would prepare
18:46an entire table of sweets himself,
18:49then carry me
18:50across the snowy plains
18:52around the royal city
18:53in his white tiger form.
18:55Vedicore would take me
18:57to the tower and stay with me
18:58until the first touch of moonlight
18:59fell over my hand.
19:01I thought there would be
19:02none of that this year.
19:04But they still came.
19:07Cyrus entered first,
19:09holding an auxinian hairpin.
19:12Happy birthday, Lux.
19:14The hairpin was beautiful,
19:17but I remembered seeing
19:18an almost identical one
19:20outside Lila's infirmary
19:21three days ago.
19:22That one had been lighter,
19:25better suited to a human woman.
19:27I accepted it.
19:29I was harsh that day.
19:31But Lila was only trying
19:33to save a life.
19:34She did not deserve
19:36to be targeted by you.
19:39Caspar brought
19:40a white tiger carving.
19:42The carving was rough.
19:45I didn't do a very good job,
19:47but you once said
19:48liked things I made by hand.
19:51Vedicore was the last to arrive.
19:53He held a newly forged
19:55silver ring.
19:56Lux,
19:57I will not let you lose face
19:59at the coronation tomorrow.
20:01No matter whom you choose,
20:03I will stand on your side.
20:07But you should also
20:08ease up on Lila.
20:10She is human.
20:11She cannot withstand
20:12the hatred of the royal court.
20:14Only then did the truth
20:15of their apology
20:16show itself.
20:19They wanted to confirm
20:20whether they still
20:21had a chance
20:22to become my concert.
20:24And they also wanted
20:26a safe road for Lila.
20:28I placed all three gifts
20:30in a box.
20:31I understand.
20:34They all looked at me
20:35at once.
20:37Perhaps they had not
20:38expected me to be so calm.
20:42Caspar asked carefully,
20:44You're not angry anymore.
20:46Tomorrow is my coronation.
20:48I will not argue
20:50with you tonight.
20:53After they left,
20:54I handed the box
20:55to a maid.
20:56Bring this to the
20:57coronation platform tomorrow.
21:00The maid frowls.
21:01Your Highness,
21:02Why?
21:03I looked at the full moon
21:04outside my window.
21:06As evidence.
21:09When the moon rose
21:10to its highest point,
21:12the coronation bells
21:14rang through the royal city.
21:15My father stood
21:17at the top of the highest steps
21:18in the black cloaking
21:19of the Wolf King.
21:20His voice carried
21:22across the square.
21:23For three hundred years,
21:25Valon has been guarded
21:26by the Wolf Clans.
21:27Today,
21:28I hand the crown
21:30to my daughter,
21:31Lux.
21:32She awakened
21:33her wolf spirit
21:34at fourteen
21:34and will be crowned
21:36at eighteen.
21:37She will be
21:38the youngest queen
21:39this continent
21:39has ever seen!
21:42I climbed the steps
21:43one by one.
21:45Cyrus,
21:46Casper,
21:47and Vadikor
21:48stood below
21:49in the ceremonial attire
21:50of consort candidates.
21:52They watched me
21:54with nervousness
21:55in their eyes.
21:57My father
21:58placed the crown
21:59on my head.
22:01The entire square
22:04knelled.
22:08Your majesty!
22:10Your majesty!
22:14The priest
22:15brought forward
22:16the King Consor's crown.
22:18According to tradition,
22:19I was supposed
22:20to walk towards
22:21one of the three candidates.
22:23Cyrus took
22:24half a step forward.
22:26Casper held his breath.
22:28A faint light of hope
22:29rosens in Vadikor's
22:31wolf eyes.
22:33I took the consort crown
22:34and faced the crowd.
22:37The man I choose
22:39as King Consort
22:40is
22:41Prince Atilius
22:43of the Snake Clan!
22:47The Snake Clan?
22:49Has the queen
22:50lost her mind?
22:52How can a snake
22:54become King Consort?
22:57Cyrus' expression
22:58changed instantly.
23:00Casper nearly
23:01lost his balance.
23:03Vadikor stared at me
23:04as though he had not
23:05understood the words.
23:07From the shadows
23:08at the side
23:08of the platform,
23:09a man slowly
23:11stepped forward.
23:13Atatius stopped
23:14in front of me
23:15and asked softly,
23:16You can still
23:17regret this,
23:18your majesty.
23:19I held out
23:21the King Consort's crown.
23:23Kneal!
23:24Atticus smiled.
23:30Under the eyes of the entire
23:32continent,
23:33he dropped to one knee
23:34and kissed my fingertips.
23:37My queen.
23:38I was about to place
23:40the crown on his head
23:41when Vadikor finally
23:42rushed up the steps.
23:47Lux!
23:48You cannot
23:49choose him!
23:50Cyrus also
23:51stepped forward.
23:53Are you still
23:54angry?
23:55If this is meant
23:57to punish us,
23:58you do not have
23:59to go this far.
24:01Casper's eyes
24:02were red.
24:03Your Highness,
24:05you accepted
24:06our gifts
24:06last night.
24:07I looked at him.
24:10Accepting them
24:11did not mean
24:11forgiving you.
24:15Vedikor gritted
24:16his teeth.
24:18I am Vedikor.
24:19I grew up
24:21with you.
24:22There is no way
24:24you would truly
24:25choose a snake.
24:26Atticus bared
24:27his fangs.
24:29I placed a light
24:30hand on his shoulder,
24:31telling him
24:32not to move.
24:33Guards!
24:34Sue!
24:40The wolf guards
24:41immediately stepped
24:42forward and blocked
24:43the three men
24:44below the steps.
24:45Cyrus looked at me
24:47in disbelief.
24:48You are restraining
24:49us in public!
24:52I turned
24:53to face my people.
24:57At my signal,
24:58a maid carried
24:59forward three
25:00memory stones.
25:02These were the
25:03pieces of evidence
25:03I had gathered
25:04over the past
25:05three days.
25:08You called me
25:09spoiled,
25:11petty,
25:13unworthy
25:13of the crown.
25:14Then let all
25:15of Valon see
25:16who is truly
25:17unworthy
25:18of standing
25:19beside the queen.
25:22The first memory
25:23stone lit up.
25:24The first memory
25:25showed the infirmary.
25:27Cyrus stood
25:28behind her,
25:29blocking away
25:29every clan member
25:31who questioned her.
25:35Don't be afraid.
25:38I'll always
25:39protect you.
25:42As soon as
25:43those words
25:44rang out,
25:45many eyes
25:45in the square
25:46turned towards me.
25:48Because when
25:48I was fourteen,
25:50after Cyrus
25:50carried me down
25:51from the
25:52Stormlath Tower,
25:53he had said
25:54the exact
25:55same words
25:56to me.
25:57I looked
25:58at him.
25:59You said
26:00she deserved
26:01respect.
26:02I do not
26:03disagree.
26:04But when
26:05you used
26:05a promise
26:06meant for
26:06your future
26:07queen to
26:08comfort another
26:09woman,
26:10did you
26:11remember who
26:12you were?
26:13Cyrus'
26:14face turned
26:15white.
26:16But no
26:17words came
26:17out.
26:18The second
26:19memory stone
26:20lit up.
26:21In the herb
26:22garden,
26:23Casper shifted
26:24into his adult
26:24white tiger form
26:25and lowered
26:26his proud
26:27back.
26:28Lelia climbed
26:29onto him
26:30and placed
26:31her hand
26:31against the
26:32mark between
26:32his brows.
26:33Then the
26:34image changed
26:35again.
26:36At night
26:37in the
26:37infirmary,
26:38Casper had
26:39shifted halfway
26:40bake back
26:40to human
26:41form.
26:42His silver
26:43white hair
26:44spilled over
26:44his shoulders.
26:46Lelia banded
26:47the wound he
26:48had suffered
26:49while testing
26:49medicine.
26:50He lowered
26:51his head
26:52and kissed
26:53her fingertip.
26:54Lelia did
26:55not pull
26:56away.
26:57The square
26:57erupted.
26:59The elder
27:00of the
27:00white tiger
27:01clan
27:01turned
27:01iron-faced.
27:03Tears
27:03fell from
27:04At Casper's
27:04eyes.
27:07I was
27:08feverish
27:09from the
27:09medicine.
27:10Lux,
27:12I never
27:13meant to
27:13betray you.
27:15What you
27:15meant
27:17does not
27:18change what
27:19you did.
27:19You told
27:20me yourself
27:21that only
27:22a chosen
27:22mate may
27:23ride the
27:23white tiger
27:24clan's
27:25animal form.
27:26You
27:26crossed
27:27the
27:27line.
27:30The
27:30third
27:31memory
27:31stone
27:32lit up.
27:33Beside
27:34the
27:34healing
27:35pool,
27:36Limlia
27:36stood in
27:37my old
27:37dress.
27:39Vadakor
27:39stood in
27:40front of
27:40her and
27:40said to
27:41me,
27:41If you
27:42continue
27:43like this,
27:44you do
27:44not deserve
27:45to wear
27:45your father's
27:46crown.
27:46The
27:47memory
27:47stone
27:47carried
27:48his
27:48words
27:49clearly
27:49across
27:50the
27:50entire
27:51square.
27:51Every
27:52wolf in
27:52the
27:53crowd
27:53lifted
27:53their
27:54head.
27:54The
27:55wolf
27:55clans
27:56valued
27:57loyalty
27:57above
27:57all
27:58else.
28:00And
28:01Vitakor
28:02had once
28:02sworn that
28:03his wolf
28:04soul bowed
28:04only to
28:05me.
28:06My father
28:07stood on
28:07the high
28:08platform,
28:09his face
28:10colder
28:10than stone.
28:11Vadakor
28:12sank to
28:12his knees.
28:16Lux,
28:18I was
28:19wrong.
28:20I looked
28:21at him.
28:22You
28:23wanted the
28:23king
28:23consort's
28:24crown.
28:26You
28:26wanted
28:27glory for
28:27your
28:28clans.
28:29You
28:29wanted to
28:30stand
28:30beside
28:31the
28:31future
28:31queen.
28:33But
28:33again
28:34and
28:34again,
28:35you
28:36pushed
28:36me in
28:36front of
28:37another
28:37woman
28:37and
28:38humiliated
28:38me.
28:40I
28:41turned
28:41to the
28:41crowd.
28:42The
28:43wolf
28:43throne
28:43has no
28:44place
28:44for
28:44disloyal
28:45men.
28:46From
28:47this
28:47day
28:47forward,
28:48Cyrus,
28:49Caspar,
28:50and
28:50Vedetikor
28:51are
28:51stripped
28:52of
28:52all
28:52rights
28:53as
28:53consort
28:53candidates.
28:55All
28:55three
28:56men
28:56lifted
28:57their
28:57heads
28:57at
28:57once.
29:00Lux,
29:01your
29:01highness,
29:02please,
29:03do not
29:03do
29:03this.
29:04I
29:05did
29:05not
29:05look
29:06at
29:06them
29:06again.
29:11Instead,
29:12I
29:12placed
29:13the
29:13king
29:13concord's
29:14crown
29:14on
29:14Atracius's
29:15head.
29:19He
29:20knelt
29:20at my
29:20feet
29:20and
29:21kissed
29:21my
29:21royal
29:22ring.
29:25I
29:25swear
29:26to
29:26you,
29:26Lux,
29:28I
29:29am
29:29greedy.
29:30I
29:31am
29:31dark.
29:34I
29:34am
29:34never
29:35satisfied.
29:36So
29:37I
29:37will
29:37be
29:37greedy
29:38in
29:38my
29:38loyalty,
29:39dark
29:39in
29:40my
29:40protection,
29:41and
29:42never
29:42satisfied
29:42in
29:43loving
29:43you.
29:43the
29:44square
29:45fell
29:45into
29:45complete
29:46silence.
29:47reached
29:48down
29:48and
29:48lifted
29:48his
29:49chin.
29:50Rise,
29:53my
29:53king
29:53consort.
29:55Lilia
29:56knelt
29:56in the
29:56center
29:57of the
29:57square.
29:59You
30:00may
30:00punish
30:00me,
30:01but
30:01you
30:01cannot
30:01do
30:02this
30:02to
30:02them.
30:04You
30:05want
30:05to
30:05plead
30:06for
30:06them.
30:07I
30:07want
30:08to
30:08speak
30:08up
30:08for
30:09them.
30:10Lilia
30:10bit
30:10her
30:11lip,
30:11her
30:12voice
30:12trembling.
30:15I
30:15am
30:16human.
30:17I
30:17do
30:17not
30:18understand
30:18the
30:19rules
30:19of
30:19your
30:19clans
30:20and
30:20consorts.
30:23But
30:23where
30:24I
30:24come
30:24from,
30:25helping
30:26someone,
30:27someone
30:27weaker
30:27than
30:27you,
30:28is
30:28not
30:28betrayal.
30:29She
30:30raised
30:30her
30:31head
30:31to
30:31meet
30:31my
30:32eyes.
30:32They
30:33were
30:33only
30:33being
30:34kind.
30:35They
30:35saw
30:36a
30:36human
30:36woman
30:36struggling
30:37alone
30:37in
30:37the
30:38royal
30:38city,
30:38and
30:39they
30:39helped
30:40me.
30:40You
30:41have
30:41the
30:41crown,
30:42noble
30:42blood,
30:43your
30:44father,
30:44and
30:44the
30:45entire
30:45continent
30:46of
30:46Valen.
30:47Why
30:48would
30:48you
30:49destroy
30:49their
30:49lives
30:50over
30:50a
30:50little
30:50jealousy?
30:52Low
30:52whispers
30:53moved
30:53through
30:54the
30:54crowd.
30:55With
30:56human
30:56morality
30:57as
30:57her
30:57weapon,
30:58Lilia
30:58placed
30:59herself
30:59in
30:59the
30:59role
31:00of
31:00the
31:00helpless
31:00and
31:01painted
31:02me
31:02as
31:02the
31:02ugly
31:02face
31:03of
31:03power.
31:05Before
31:05I
31:05could
31:06speak,
31:06my
31:06father
31:07had
31:07already
31:07stepped
31:08down
31:08from
31:08the
31:08platform.
31:10Human
31:11healer.
31:12You
31:12stand at
31:13the
31:13coronation
31:14of a
31:14wolf
31:15queen
31:15and
31:16judge
31:16her
31:16by
31:16human
31:17rules?
31:20They
31:21were not
31:21ordinary
31:22men
31:22helping a
31:23stranger
31:23by the
31:23roadside.
31:24They
31:25were
31:25consort
31:26candidates.
31:27They
31:28carried
31:28the
31:28oaths
31:29of
31:29their
31:29clans
31:30and
31:30the
31:30loyalty
31:31owed
31:31to
31:32the
31:32future
31:32queen.
31:35If
31:36you
31:36were
31:36truly
31:37kind
31:37you
31:38should
31:39have
31:39stepped
31:39away
31:39when
31:40they
31:40crossed
31:40the
31:40line.
31:41Instead
31:42you
31:43accepted
31:44again
31:44and
31:45again
31:45the
31:45closeness
31:46that
31:46belonged
31:47to
31:47the
31:47queen.
31:48Tears
31:49fell
31:49from
31:50Lillia's
31:50eyes.
31:57I
31:58never
31:58meant
31:59to
31:59take
31:59anyone
32:00from
32:00her.
32:01What
32:02you
32:02meant
32:03no
32:03longer
32:03matters.
32:06Wolf
32:07King
32:07lift
32:07his
32:08hand.
32:09Escort
32:10her
32:10out
32:10of
32:10the
32:11royal
32:11city.
32:12From
32:13this
32:13day
32:13forward
32:15Lillia
32:16is
32:16forbidden
32:16from
32:17entering
32:17the
32:17wolf
32:18court.
32:20Send
32:20her
32:20back
32:20to
32:21human
32:21territory.
32:22Lillia
32:22stared
32:23in
32:23disbelief
32:24at
32:24Cyrus,
32:25Casper
32:25and
32:26Vedeticor.
32:28None
32:29of
32:29them
32:29spoke
32:30right
32:30away
32:30because
32:31every
32:31word
32:32my
32:32father
32:32had
32:32spoken
32:33was
32:33true
32:34and
32:35they
32:35knew
32:35it
32:35now.
32:38Lillia
32:38was
32:38still
32:38crying
32:39when
32:40the
32:40guards
32:40dragged
32:40her
32:41away.
32:43Cyrus!
32:45Casper
32:45Vedeticor!
32:47Say
32:48something!
32:49Cyrus
32:50lowered
32:51his
32:51eyes.
32:52Casper's
32:53lips
32:53trembled.
32:55Vedicor's
32:56jaw
32:56tightened
32:56but he
32:58still
32:58did not
32:58move.
33:02That
33:03night
33:03the
33:03coronation
33:04banquet
33:05was held
33:05in the
33:05royal
33:06city.
33:07The
33:08nobles
33:09hid
33:09their
33:09displeasure
33:10but
33:10their
33:11eyes
33:11kept
33:11sliding
33:12toward
33:12Trichus
33:13who
33:13sat
33:13beside
33:14me.
33:15He
33:16was
33:16almost
33:16unnervely
33:17well
33:18behaved.
33:20Only
33:20when I
33:21reached
33:21for my
33:21wine
33:22did
33:22he
33:22replace
33:23it
33:23with
33:23a
33:23cup
33:24of
33:24warm
33:24honey
33:25water.
33:27Afraid
33:28I'll
33:28be
33:28poisoned?
33:34Afraid
33:34you'll
33:35get
33:35drunk?
33:36Tonight
33:37is our
33:37wedding
33:37night.
33:40I
33:40want
33:41you
33:41to
33:41remember
33:41it.
33:42Heat
33:43rose
33:43to
33:44my
33:44ears.
33:46Atticus.
33:48He
33:49laughed
33:49under
33:49his
33:50breath.
33:51Am
33:51I
33:51wrong
33:51your
33:52majesty?
33:53Late
33:53that
33:53night
33:54moonlight
33:55fell
33:55over
33:55the
33:56silver
33:56curtains
33:56of
33:57my
33:57bed
33:57chamber.
33:59Atticus
33:59removed
34:00the
34:00heavy
34:00crown
34:01from
34:01my
34:01head.
34:02His
34:02cool
34:02fingers
34:03brushed
34:03through
34:04my
34:04hair.
34:06Do
34:07you
34:07regret
34:07it?
34:08Regret
34:09choosing
34:10you?
34:11Yes.
34:13I
34:14looked
34:14into
34:14his
34:15golden
34:15eyes.
34:16Not
34:17yet.
34:19Atticus
34:20smiled.
34:21His
34:22snake
34:22tail
34:22slid
34:23slowly
34:23from
34:23beneath
34:24his
34:24robe
34:24and
34:25wooled
34:25curled
34:25you
34:25loudly
34:26lightly
34:26round
34:26by
34:26my
34:27ankle,
34:27careful
34:28not
34:28to
34:28tighten.
34:29Then
34:29I
34:29will
34:29do
34:30my
34:30best
34:30to
34:31make
34:31sure
34:31you
34:31never
34:32do.
34:33When
34:33the
34:33curtains
34:34fell,
34:34he
34:35lowered
34:35his
34:35head
34:36and
34:36kissed
34:36my
34:36fingertips.
34:38Then
34:39my
34:39wrist,
34:41my
34:41shoulder,
34:44the
34:45center
34:45of my
34:45forehead.
34:47Like a
34:48snake
34:48finally
34:49permitted
34:49to coil
34:50around
34:50me,
34:51yet
34:51still
34:51holding
34:52back
34:52at the
34:52last
34:52moment.
34:54He
34:55remembered
34:55I was
34:56his
34:56queen.
34:58Before
34:58dawn the
34:59next
34:59morning,
35:00urgent
35:00knocking
35:01broke
35:01through
35:01the
35:01chamber
35:02doors.
35:04Your
35:04Majesty!
35:07Pups
35:08all
35:08over
35:08the
35:09royal
35:09city
35:09have
35:09suddenly
35:10developed
35:10high
35:10fevers.
35:11The
35:11healers
35:12can't
35:12bring
35:12them
35:12down.
35:15That
35:16night,
35:16the
35:17coronation
35:17banquet
35:18was held
35:18in the
35:19royal
35:19city.
35:21The
35:21nobles
35:22hid
35:22their
35:22displeasure,
35:23but their
35:24eyes kept
35:24sliding
35:25toward
35:25Trichus,
35:26who sat
35:26beside
35:27me.
35:28He
35:29was
35:29almost
35:30unnervely
35:30well-behaved.
35:33Only
35:33when I
35:34reached
35:34for
35:34my
35:34wine
35:35did
35:35he
35:36replace
35:36it
35:36with
35:36a
35:37cup
35:37of
35:37warm
35:37honey
35:38water.
35:41Afraid
35:41I'll
35:41be
35:42poisoned?
35:47Afraid
35:48you'll
35:48get
35:48drunk?
35:49Tonight
35:50is our
35:50wedding
35:51night.
35:53I
35:53want
35:54you to
35:54remember
35:54it.
35:56Heat
35:56rose
35:56to my
35:57ears.
35:59Atticus!
36:01He
36:02laughed
36:02under
36:03his
36:03breath.
36:03Am
36:04I
36:04wrong,
36:05Your
36:05Majesty?
36:06Late
36:06that
36:07night,
36:07moonlight
36:08fell
36:08over
36:09the
36:09silver
36:09curtains
36:10of
36:10my
36:10bed
36:10chamber.
36:12Atticus
36:12removed
36:13the
36:13heavy
36:13crown
36:14from
36:14my
36:14head.
36:15His
36:15cool
36:16fingers
36:16brushed
36:17through
36:17my
36:17hair.
36:19Do
36:20you
36:20regret
36:20it?
36:22Regret
36:22choosing
36:23you?
36:24Yes.
36:26I
36:27looked
36:27into
36:28his
36:28golden
36:28eyes.
36:29Not
36:30yet.
36:32Atticus
36:33smiled.
36:34His
36:35snake
36:35tail
36:35slid
36:36slowly
36:36from
36:36beneath
36:37his
36:37robe
36:37and
36:38wooled
36:38curled
36:38you
36:38loudly
36:39lightly
36:39round
36:39by
36:39my
36:40ankle,
36:40careful
36:41not
36:41to
36:41tighten.
36:42Then I
36:42will
36:42do
36:43my
36:43best
36:43to
36:44make
36:44sure
36:44you
36:44never
36:45do.
37:14When
37:45escorted
37:45escorted
37:46out
37:46last
37:46night,
37:47she
37:48gave
37:48this
37:48man
37:49a
37:49packet
37:50of
37:50powder.
37:50The
37:51assistant
37:51slammed
37:52his
37:52forehead
37:53to
37:53the
37:53floor
37:53and
37:54sobbed.
38:24Casper
38:25shook
38:25his
38:25head.
38:31No.
38:33Lilia
38:34would
38:34never
38:34hurt
38:35children.
38:37Of course
38:38she didn't
38:38intend
38:38for
38:39them
38:39to
38:39die.
38:45I
38:46walked
38:46to
38:46the
38:46pot
38:46of
38:47medicine
38:47and
38:48caught
38:48the
38:48faint
38:48bitter
38:49stent
38:49rising
38:50from
38:50it.
38:51She
38:51only
38:52wanted
38:52everyone
38:52to
38:53learn
38:53that
38:53without
38:53her,
38:54the
38:55royal
38:55city
38:55cannot
38:56even
38:56bring
38:56down
38:57a
38:57pup's
38:57fever.
39:00Vatacor
39:00closed
39:01his
39:01eyes.
39:03Lilia
39:03at
39:03Tuptu's
39:04scheme
39:04was
39:05finally
39:05laid
39:06bare
39:06in
39:06front
39:06of
39:07them.
39:08She
39:09had
39:09always
39:09stood
39:09in
39:10the
39:10place
39:10of
39:10the
39:10weak,
39:11waiting
39:12for
39:12others
39:12to
39:13defend
39:13her.
39:15I
39:16turned
39:16to
39:16Atticus.
39:17Can
39:18it
39:18be
39:18cured?
39:20He
39:21nodded.
39:22Yes.
39:24But
39:24it
39:25requires
39:25cold
39:25scale
39:26grass
39:26from
39:27the
39:27snake
39:27clan.
39:28Use
39:29it.
39:30I
39:30will
39:31bring
39:31the
39:31guilty
39:31back
39:32to
39:32the
39:32capital
39:32to
39:33face
39:34justice.
39:38By
39:39dusk,
39:41Lilia
39:41was
39:41brought
39:42back
39:43to the
39:43royal
39:43city.
39:44When
39:45she was
39:45dragged
39:45into
39:46the
39:46infirmary
39:46and
39:47saw
39:47the
39:47pups
39:47sleeping
39:48weakly
39:48after
39:49their
39:49fevers
39:49had
39:50broke,
39:50her
39:51face
39:51finally
39:52changed.
39:53I
39:53didn't
39:54mean
39:54to
39:54kill
39:54them.
39:56She
39:57sobbed.
39:58I
39:59only
39:59wanted
39:59you
40:00to
40:00know
40:00that
40:00you
40:00need
40:01me.
40:02Casper
40:03looked
40:03at
40:03her
40:03as
40:03if
40:03he
40:04were
40:04seeing
40:04her
40:04for
40:05the
40:05first
40:05time.
40:06Lilia
40:07grabbed
40:07his
40:08sleeve.
40:09Casper
40:10believed
40:11me.
40:12I
40:12was
40:12just
40:13scared.
40:14She
40:15drove
40:15me
40:15away
40:15and
40:16I
40:16had
40:16nothing
40:16left.
40:17Casper
40:18slowly
40:18pulled
40:19his
40:19hand
40:19free.
40:22They
40:22were
40:22children.
40:24Lilia
40:25went
40:25still.
40:26Cyrus
40:27closed
40:27his
40:27eyes.
40:30Vadicor
40:31turned
40:31away
40:32and
40:32would
40:32not
40:32look
40:32at
40:33her.
40:33They
40:34finally
40:34saw
40:35her
40:35for
40:35who
40:35she
40:36really
40:36was.
40:38but
40:38it
40:38was
40:39too
40:39late.
40:41A
40:41mother
40:42slapped
40:42Lilia
40:42across
40:43the
40:43face.
40:46My
40:47child
40:48screamed
40:49all
40:49night
40:50because
40:50of
40:50you!
40:51Lilia
40:52covered
40:53her
40:53cheek
40:53and
40:53looked
40:54toward
40:54the
40:54three
40:54men
40:54again
40:55waiting
40:56for
40:56someone
40:56to
40:56protect
40:57her.
41:01No
41:02one
41:02moved.
41:04your
41:05majesty
41:05the
41:06pups
41:06are
41:07safe
41:07for
41:07now.
41:08The
41:09trial
41:09can
41:10begin
41:10whenever
41:11you
41:11command.
41:12I
41:13looked
41:13at
41:14Lilia's
41:14pale
41:15shaking
41:15face.
41:18Then
41:18let
41:18all
41:19of
41:19Valon
41:19hear
41:20what
41:20she
41:20has
41:21done.
41:23When
41:24Lilia
41:24was
41:24brought
41:25to
41:25the
41:25judgment
41:25platform
41:26the
41:27royal
41:27square
41:27was
41:28packed.
41:29The
41:30parents
41:30of the
41:31pup
41:31she
41:31had
41:31nearly
41:32harmed
41:32knelt
41:32below
41:33the
41:33platform
41:34their
41:34eyes
41:35swollen
41:35from
41:35tears.
41:37My
41:37father
41:38sat
41:38beside
41:38the
41:38throne.
41:40I
41:40sat
41:41in
41:41the
41:41queen's
41:41seat.
41:43A
41:43trichus
41:43stood
41:44half
41:44a
41:44step
41:44behind
41:45me.
41:46Lalia
41:46still
41:47wore
41:47her
41:47faded
41:48healer's
41:48dress.
41:50She
41:50lifted
41:51her
41:51head
41:52and
41:53looked
41:53at
41:53me.
41:57Your
41:58majesty
41:59I
42:00saved
42:00many
42:00lives.
42:01You
42:02can't
42:02accuse
42:02me
42:03based
42:03solely
42:03on
42:03someone's
42:04word.
42:04I
42:05ordered
42:05the
42:05evidence
42:06to be
42:06presented.
42:07Black
42:08Marsh
42:08Heat
42:08Ween.
42:10The
42:11pharmacy
42:12assistant's
42:12confession.
42:14The
42:14spare
42:15powder
42:15hidden
42:16in her
42:16luggage.
42:17And
42:18the
42:18letter
42:18she
42:19had
42:19written
42:19to
42:20a
42:20human
42:20border
42:20apothetory.
42:22The
42:22letter
42:23was
42:23clear.
42:24If
42:25the
42:25wolf
42:26royal
42:26city
42:26so
42:27suffered
42:27another
42:27outbreak
42:28of
42:28pup
42:29fever
42:29she
42:30would
42:30return
42:30as
42:30the
42:30only
42:31healer
42:31capable
42:32of
42:32saving
42:32them.
42:33By
42:34then
42:34everyone
42:35would
42:36beg
42:36her
42:38including
42:39me.
42:41Casper
42:42finally
42:42could not
42:43hold
42:43back.
42:47Why?
42:49Lila
42:50looked at
42:50him
42:50and tears
42:52spilled
42:52down
42:52her
42:52face.
42:56Because
42:57I was
42:57angry.
43:01I
43:02saved
43:02so
43:03many
43:03people
43:04yet
43:05one
43:05word
43:05from
43:05her
43:06could
43:06drive
43:06me
43:07out.
43:08Why?
43:09Just
43:10because
43:10she
43:10is
43:11queen.
43:13Because
43:14I am
43:14queen I
43:15am
43:15responsible
43:15for the
43:16pups
43:16of this
43:17city.
43:18You
43:18were
43:18allowed
43:19to
43:19be
43:19angry.
43:20You
43:21were
43:21allowed
43:21to
43:21hate
43:22me.
43:23You
43:24were
43:24allowed
43:24to
43:24return
43:24to
43:25human
43:25territory
43:25and
43:26begin
43:26again.
43:27But
43:28you
43:28chose
43:28to
43:29endanger
43:29children.
43:31The
43:32square
43:32fell
43:33into
43:33dead
43:33silence.
43:37I
43:38lifted
43:38my
43:39hand.
43:40Lila,
43:40your
43:41healer
43:41status
43:42is
43:42revoked.
43:47Your
43:48right
43:48to
43:48enter
43:48clan
43:49territory
43:49is
43:49stripped.
43:50In
43:51three
43:51days,
43:51you
43:52will
43:52be
43:52escorted
43:53to
43:53the
43:53human
43:54border
43:54and
43:54handed
43:55over
43:55to
43:55the
43:55border
43:55court
43:56for
43:56judgment.
44:01Cyrus
44:02suddenly
44:02knelt.
44:04Your
44:04majesty,
44:05I request
44:06punishment.
44:07Casper
44:08nailed as
44:09well.
44:09Vedicore
44:10knelt
44:10last,
44:11and his
44:12knees
44:12hit the
44:12ground
44:12the
44:13hardest.
44:15The
44:16main
44:16wolf
44:16bloodline
44:17accepts
44:17responsibility
44:18for
44:19negligence.
44:20I
44:20looked at
44:20them.
44:22Once,
44:23seeing them
44:24kneel
44:24before me
44:25would have
44:25made me
44:25happy.
44:26Now,
44:27I felt
44:28only calm.
44:30Of course
44:31you will be
44:31punished.
44:33Cyrus,
44:34the Eagle
44:35clan is
44:35responsible for
44:36aerial patrols
44:37over the
44:37royal city.
44:39Lila left
44:40and re-entered
44:41the city
44:41without your
44:42men detecting
44:43her in
44:43time.
44:45From
44:45this day
44:46forward,
44:48the Eagle
44:49clan's
44:50right to
44:50patrol
44:51royal air
44:51space is
44:52suspended
44:53for three
44:53years and
44:55placed under
44:55direct crown
44:56control.
44:58Cyrus lowered
44:59his head.
45:01Yes,
45:01your majesty.
45:03Casper,
45:04the White
45:06Tiger clan
45:06provided Lila
45:08with medicinal
45:08herbs and
45:09allowed her
45:09to test
45:10medicines,
45:11yet never
45:12inspected
45:12the powders
45:13she kept
45:14hidden.
45:15The White
45:15Tiger clan's
45:16medicinal
45:16fusion will
45:17be doubled.
45:18All clan
45:19herb gardens
45:20will be
45:20managed by
45:21the Royal
45:21Medical
45:22Office for
45:22one year.
45:23And you,
45:24Casper,
45:24will serve
45:25at the
45:26Northern
45:26Border
45:26Medical
45:27Camp for
45:27three years.
45:29No palace
45:30room.
45:30No White
45:31Tiger
45:32privilege.
45:33You will
45:33treat the
45:34soldiers and
45:35pups your
45:35negligence
45:36endangered.
45:37Yes,
45:37your majesty.
45:38Last,
45:39I looked at
45:40Vedicore.
45:41Vedicore,
45:42you brought
45:43Lilia into
45:44the inner
45:44palace,
45:46used my
45:46healing pool
45:47without
45:47permission,
45:48and opened
45:49the door
45:50that never
45:50should have
45:50been opened.
45:51From this
45:52day forward,
45:53you are
45:53removed as
45:54commander of
45:55the Royal
45:55Guard.
45:56Your wolf
45:56crest will be
45:57stripped from
45:58the Royal
45:58Guard rolls.
46:00Until the
46:00wolf council
46:01decides otherwise,
46:02you will live
46:03outside the
46:03pack as a
46:04lone wolf.
46:05For a wolf
46:06born inside
46:07the main
46:07bloodline,
46:08there was no
46:09harsher exile
46:10than being
46:11cut off
46:12from the
46:12pack's
46:13name.
46:14Vedicore's
46:15throat moved.
46:16In the
46:16end,
46:17he lowered
46:18his head.
46:21Yes,
46:21your majesty.
46:24Three days
46:25later,
46:26Lilia was
46:27escorted out
46:28of the
46:28Royal
46:28City.
46:30Lila thought
46:31human territory
46:32would welcome
46:33her.
46:34The moment
46:35the Valon
46:36Guards handed
46:37her to the
46:37border court,
46:38she lifted
46:39her chin
46:40and forced
46:40tears into
46:41her eyes.
46:43I was only
46:44a human
46:45woman trapped
46:45in a
46:46beast city.
46:48They hated
46:49me because
46:50I saved
46:50lives!
46:53No one
46:54answered.
46:56The human
46:57magistrate
46:58opened the
46:59sealed Valon
46:59report and
47:00read the
47:01charges aloud.
47:04You added
47:05Black Marsh
47:05heatweed to
47:06medicine meant
47:07for wolf
47:08pups.
47:09You caused
47:10a citywide
47:11fever outbreak
47:12to prove
47:13they needed
47:13you.
47:14The crowd
47:14outside the
47:15court exploded.
47:16She poisoned
47:17children!
47:19And she
47:20calls herself
47:21a healer?
47:22Lilia's face
47:23went white.
47:25They were
47:26beasts!
47:27Their queen
47:29twisted
47:30everything!
47:34A human
47:35healer
47:35stepped forward
47:36and tore
47:37the healer's
47:37ribbon from
47:38Lilia's
47:38sleeve.
47:40A child
47:42in pain
47:42is still
47:43a child!
47:45You do
47:46not get to
47:47wear our
47:47mark.
47:48Lilia reached
47:49for the
47:49ribbon,
47:50but the
47:51guard shoved
47:52her back.
47:56Stand
47:57down.
47:58Until
47:59the final
47:59trial,
48:00you will
48:00serve in
48:01the quarantine
48:01tents under
48:02guard.
48:03Lilia stared
48:04at him.
48:06You want
48:06me to
48:07treat
48:07fever
48:08patients?
48:09No.
48:11You will
48:12scrub the
48:13floors beneath
48:13them.
48:18When
48:19Cyrus
48:20returned to
48:20the Eagle
48:21Tower,
48:21no one
48:22came to
48:23welcome
48:23him.
48:24The
48:24black-winged
48:25guards
48:26stood in
48:26two silent
48:27lines.
48:28At the
48:29center of
48:29the hall,
48:30the Eagle
48:31Eagle
48:31Elder placed
48:32the royal
48:33order on
48:33the table.
48:37Three
48:38years.
48:40For
48:40three years,
48:42the Eagle
48:43clan cannot
48:43patrol the
48:44royal sky.
48:46A young
48:47Eagle
48:47noble could
48:48not hold
48:48back.
48:50Because
48:51you hung
48:51a consort
48:52candidate's
48:52pass outside
48:53a human
48:54healer's
48:54door.
48:55Cyrus
48:56did not
48:56argue.
48:57Our clan
48:58kept the
48:58royal airspace
48:59for generations.
49:01Your father
49:02earned that
49:02route with
49:03blood.
49:04You lost
49:04it for a
49:05woman who
49:05poisoned
49:06pups.
49:08Cyrus
49:08lowered his
49:09head.
49:10I will
49:10accept whatever
49:11punishment the
49:12clan gives
49:12me.
49:15The Elder
49:16took the
49:16sky blagger
49:17from Cyrus's
49:18chest.
49:20You will
49:21not command
49:22a patrol.
49:23You will
49:24not enter
49:25the royal
49:25city without
49:27written
49:27permission.
49:29And when
49:30the young
49:30ones ask
49:31why our
49:32banners no
49:32longer fly
49:33over Valon,
49:34they will
49:35hear your
49:36name.
49:37Cyrus's
49:38black wings
49:38trembled
49:39once.
49:40Outside the
49:41window,
49:41royal guards
49:42crossed the
49:43sky routes
49:43that had
49:44once belonged
49:44to him.
49:45For the
49:46first time,
49:48Cyrus understood
49:49what Lux
49:49had meant.
49:51He had
49:52not protected
49:53the weak.
49:54He had
49:55handed the
49:56queen's
49:56authority to
49:57a liar.
49:58And now
49:59his whole
50:00clan had
50:00to bow
50:01beneath
50:01that shame.
50:06The northern
50:06border did
50:07not care that
50:08Caspar had
50:09once been
50:09beautiful.
50:10The wind
50:11cut through
50:11his white
50:12cloak within
50:12the first
50:13hour.
50:13By
50:14nightfall,
50:15his hands
50:16were cracked
50:16from carrying
50:17water and
50:18washing blood
50:19from bandages.
50:25An injured
50:26pup was
50:27carried into
50:27the tent,
50:28shaking with
50:29fever from
50:29a border
50:30wound.
50:31Caspar
50:32stepped forward
50:32at once.
50:37Let me
50:38help.
50:39Help.
50:43The pup's
50:44mother pulled
50:45the child
50:45back.
50:49You are
50:50the white
50:50tiger who
50:51protected
50:51Lilia.
50:52My sister's
50:54son almost
50:55died in the
50:56royal city.
50:57It's all
50:58your fault.
50:59And that
51:00human
51:01vipers.
51:03I'm sorry.
51:10the northern
51:11captain entered
51:12with snow
51:12on his
51:13armor.
51:15If you
51:15want them
51:16to trust
51:16your hands,
51:18work until
51:19your hands
51:19are worth
51:20trusting.
51:21For the
51:22rest of the
51:23night,
51:23Caspar
51:24cleaned
51:24wounds,
51:25boiled
51:26medicine,
51:27and carried
51:27fever water
51:28from tent
51:29to tent.
51:32On the
51:33first full
51:33moon after
51:34the trial,
51:35Vededicors
51:36stood outside
51:37the wolf
51:37clan gates.
51:39Inside the
51:40walls,
51:41the pack
51:41gathered for
51:42the moon
51:42run.
51:44Once,
51:45young wolves
51:46had stepped
51:46aside when
51:47he passed.
51:49Tonight,
51:50the gate
51:51stayed closed.
51:55The wolf
51:56elder walked
51:57out with
51:57two guards.
51:59In his
52:00hand was
52:00Vededicor's
52:01broken
52:01guard
52:02crest.
52:03The queen
52:04has removed
52:05you from
52:06the royal
52:06guard.
52:07The wolf
52:08council
52:11has accepted
52:12her sentence.
52:14Am I
52:15forbidden
52:15from the
52:16pack run?
52:17The elder
52:18looked at
52:18him without
52:19pity.
52:21You have
52:22been banished
52:23from the
52:23pack.
52:24Behind the
52:25gate,
52:26the wolves
52:26howled.
52:28Vededicor's
52:28inner wolf
52:29answered by
52:30instinct,
52:31but the
52:31sound broke
52:32in his
52:32throat.
52:33He shifted
52:34into wolf
52:35form and
52:36stood alone
52:36in the
52:36snow,
52:37never be
52:38accepted by
52:39the pack
52:39again.
52:43The bells
52:45of the royal
52:45city rang
52:46again.
52:48I stood
52:49on the city
52:49wall and
52:50watched
52:51Valen's
52:51banners
52:52unfold in
52:53the wind.
52:54Once,
52:55I thought
52:56love meant
52:56possession.
52:58If I
52:59ordered
52:59someone to
53:00stay,
53:00they could
53:01not leave.
53:03Then they
53:03told me I
53:04was spoiled,
53:05arrogant,
53:07too blind to
53:07cherish what I
53:08had.
53:09Now I had
53:10learnt better.
53:12Love could not
53:13be commanded by
53:14a crown.
53:15Loyalty should
53:16never have to be
53:16begged for on
53:17my knees.
53:18I could lose
53:19Cyrus.
53:20I could lose
53:22Casper.
53:24I could lose
53:25Vedicor.
53:27The crown
53:28would not
53:29fall.
53:30My wolf
53:31spirit would
53:32not go out.
53:34Atticus stood
53:35half a step
53:35behind me.
53:37That was
53:37where a king
53:38consort
53:39belonged.
53:40When I
53:41needed him,
53:42he was
53:42there.
53:44When I
53:45did not,
53:46he waited.
53:49I asked
53:50him,
53:51Attius,
53:52do you know
53:53what needs
53:53to be king
53:53consort?
53:55It means
53:56I will
53:56always stand
53:57behind my
53:58queen.
54:00He paused,
54:01then bent
54:02close to my
54:03ear.
54:03And it also
54:04means I get
54:05to sleep
54:05beside her
54:06at night.
54:09Atticus
54:10lowered his
54:11head,
54:12golden snake
54:13eyes reflecting
54:13my crown.
54:17Lux,
54:19I will
54:20not teach
54:21you to
54:21bow your
54:21head.
54:22I will
54:23never say
54:24you ask
54:25for too
54:25much.
54:27If you
54:28want loyalty,
54:29I will
54:29give you
54:29loyalty.
54:30If you
54:31want all
54:31of Valon
54:32to watch
54:32the snake
54:33clan
54:33kneel at
54:33your feet,
54:36then I
54:36will kneel.
54:41When he
54:42finished,
54:42he truly
54:43dropped to
54:44one knee
54:44on the
54:45city wall.
54:45this time,
54:47he was
54:48not kneeling
54:48for ceremony.
54:50Not for
54:51the nobles
54:51watching.
54:52It was
54:53only for
54:54me.
54:57I reached
54:58out and
54:58lifted his
54:59chain.
55:02Rise,
55:06my king
55:07consort.
55:08Far
55:09off,
55:09at the
55:10edge of
55:11the snow
55:11storm,
55:12all of
55:13my former
55:14candidates got
55:15what they
55:15deserved.
55:16I did
55:17not look
55:18again.
55:19My story
55:21with them
55:21was over,
55:22and my
55:23throne,
55:24my wolf
55:25spirit,
55:27my new
55:28king
55:28consort,
55:29and all
55:30of Valon
55:31were waiting
55:32for me
55:32to move
55:33forward.
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