I jerked my gaze back to him, heat flooding my cheeks.
His blue eyes had darkened, and his jaw was set. What exactly are you looking at?”
“Nothing! Nothing at all.” I twisted in my seat to face away from the training ground.
“Nothing?” He leaned closer, voice dropping to that dangerous tone that made my pulse skip. “Because it looked like you were checking out my warriors.”
I tried for innocent. “I was just… admiring their dedication to fitness! Very impressive training regimen you have here, Your
Majesty.”
Caelan pulled me against his side, one arm sliding around my waist. “You think their bodies are impressive?
Before I could answer, he pinched my nose gently between his fingers. “Looks like tonight we need to review exactly whose body should be getting your attention.”
I couldn’t help grinning. “Oops. Busted.”
A shout echoed across the training ground: “His Majesty approaches!”
Every warrior froze mid-motion. Weapons clattered to the stone as they scrambled into formation – two perfect lines facing each other, creating a pathway between them.
The transformation was instant. Seconds ago they’d been relaxed, joking with each other. Now they stood at attention, backs straight, eyes forward.
Then came the howl.
It started low, building into a powerful chorus that echoed off the surrounding buildings. The sound raised every hair on my arms wild and primal and absolutely spine-tingling.
“AWOOOO-
When it faded, they bellowed in unison: “YOUR MAJESTY! YOUR QUEEN!”
I jumped backward, instinctively pressing against Caelan’s chest. The sheer volume and intensity caught me completely off-guard.
As one, every warrior dropped to one knee. Right fists pressed to hearts, heads bowed in perfect synchronization.
Queen? They called me queen?
My heart hammered against my ribs. This wasn’t just about marrying Caelan anymore. This was about leading these people. Being responsible for their lives, their families, their future.
Am I really ready for this?
My fingers found Caelan’s arm, gripping tight.
He barely acknowledged the display of respect, just nodded once in that cold, regal way of his. Then his warm hand covered mine and he led me toward the dungeon entrance.
The moment we stepped through the iron door, the temperature dropped. Narrow stone steps descended into darkness, lit only by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows on the damp walls.
The air tasted of mold and something metallic that made my stomach turn.
“What kind of prisoners do you usually keep down here?” My voice echoed off the stones.
Traitors. Criminals. Anyone who threatens pack security.” Caelan’s answer was matter-of-fact, but it sent chills down my spine.
We passed empty cell after empty cell, their iron bars rusted with age. Our footsteps rang hollow in the narrow corridor, and I stayed close enough to Caelan that our shoulders brushed.
At the very end of the hallway, we stopped.
The cell before us was different from the others. Heavier bars. Thicker walls. And inside…
Blair knelt on the stone floor, her wrists shackled to chains that forced her arms out to either side. The position looked agonizing – like she’d been crucified against invisible air.
Her violet eyes were dull, unfocused. Golden hair hung in matted tangles around her face, streaked with dirt and what might have been dried tears.
Every few seconds she whispered something under her breath, but I couldn’t make out the words.
Edward stepped out of the shadows beside the cell door. “Your Majesty. Miss Crawford.”
I nodded to him, surprised by how calm I sounded.
“She regained consciousness about an hour ago,” he reported quietly. “The sedatives have mostly worn off. She’s ready for questioning.”
Caelan gestured for Edward to unlock the cell door. The heavy metal swung open with a grinding shriek that echoed through the dungeon.
We stepped inside, and Blair’s head snapped up.
The moment her eyes found Caelan, everything changed.
Color flooded back into her pale cheeks. Her spine straightened despite the restraints. It was like watching a dying flower suddenly bloom again.
“Caelan! Her voice cracked with desperate joy. “Caelan, you came! You finally came to see me!”
She strained against the chains, trying to get closer to him. The metal cut into her wrists, but she didn’t seem to care.
I knew you would come. I knew you wouldn’t leave me down here. You still care about me, don’t you?”
Blair gazed at Caelan with tear-filled eyes. Her voice carried a pitiful tremor that might have moved anyone else.
“Caclan, why are you keeping me locked up here? Why treat me this way?”
The tears began to spill over, tracing delicate paths down her haggard cheeks. “What did I do wrong? I’ve always loved you so much, been so loyal to you…” x+
IM
O III
I watched this performance, feeling an unexpected pang of sympathy. I took an unconscious step closer to Caelan.
His expression remained utterly cold.
“Blair Sterling, you know exactly why you’re here.”
I’m giving you one chance to confess your crimes yourself.”
Blair’s tears transformed instantly into blazing anger and indignation. Her entire demeanor shifted like a switch had been flipped.
‘I haven’t committed any crimes!” she shrieked, her voice bouncing off the stone walls with an almost feral intensity.
Then her finger shot out toward me, her eyes burning with pure hatred. “It’s her! This is all that bitch’s fault!”
“If she hadn’t shown up, you never would have suspected me!”
Blair’s voice rose to near hysteria. “She’s poison! Ever since she arrived, you’ve changed-you don’t trust me anymore!”
“Caelan, she’s blinded you! She’s the real enemy!”
Hearing Blair’s vicious words about me, Caelan’s eyes flashed with murderous rage. He strode toward where she knelt in shackles and without hesitation, drove his boot into her chest. The force sent her sprawling backward.
A pained moan escaped her lips as she lay there.
“I will not allow you to insult Sable!” he snarled, his face a mask of deadly fury.
“Say one more word against her, and I’ll kill you myself!”
Despite being stunned by Caelan’s violence, the hatred in Blair’s eyes only intensified. She struggled to sit up again, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, but her expression remained defiant.
“I’m telling the truth!” she spat, still refusing to back down even in the face of his threats.
Caelan gestured to Edward, who stepped forward and withdrew a sealed evidence bag from his jacket.
“This is the hidden phone we found in your room, along with all the call logs and financial transfer records.” Edward methodically spread the evidence before Blair, page after damning page.
Initially, Blair tried to maintain her composure, but as Edward revealed more and more proof, her face grew increasingly pale. Every detail of her schemes, every conspiracy was documented in black and white-irrefutable evidence that left no room for denial.
When Edward finished presenting the evidence, Blair suddenly burst into maniacal laughter.
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”
The sound echoed through the dungeon like the cries of a madwoman. Tears streamed down her face as she laughed, her entire body shaking with the force of it.
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