“The Council does have the authority to summon witnesses in matters of potential misconduct,” another Council member pipes up—an older woman I vaguely recognize as one of Draven’s supporters.
“Particularly when it involves someone with close ties to the Crown,” adds another.
They’re circling like sharks who have scented blood.
Lucian’s jaw clenches almost imperceptibly. I knowthat look—he’s calculating, weighing options, trying to find a way out of this that doesn’t sacrifice everything we’ve been working toward.
But I also know there isn’t one.
“Your Majesty,” Zane says quietly, his voice heavy with false reluctance. “I don’t wish to cause trouble. But I love Selene. She’s my fated mate, and yet, she’s been avoiding me for weeks. Refusing to see me. Making excuses.” He swallows hard, playing the part of the heartbroken lover to perfection. “I just want to understand why. What have I done to deserve this? Is she being pressured to stay away from me? Threatened?”
The bastard.
He has positioned himself as the concerned mate, desperate to understand why his beloved is avoiding him. Meanwhile, he is painting me as the bad guy—the powerful commander using his position to keep them apart. And now, he’s even giving Lucian an out: just bring Selene forward, let her explain herself, and this can all be resolved.
Except, he can’t do that. Because the moment Selene opens her mouth, everything we’ve been trying to accomplish falls apart.
My wolf paces frantically, torn between the need to protect our mate and the knowledge that any path forward leads to disaster.
“High Inquisitor Draven,” Lucian says, his voice rigorously controlled. “You wish to summon Healer Selene to speak before the Council?”
“I believe it would be in everyone’s best interest, Your Majesty.” Draven’s smile widens. “Let her explain in her own words why she has been avoiding her fated mate. Surely that’s reasonable? Unless Lord Zane’s concerns about outside interference are justified.”
The way he says it—like he’s being fair and sensible. This is about power. About backing Lucian into a corner and watching him squirm.
And it’s working.
Through our bond, Selene’s anxiety spikes higher. She knows something’s wrong. Probably feels my fury and fear bleeding through our connection.
Stay where you are, I think desperately, hoping somehow she can sense my instruction. Don’t come here. Don’t—
“Very well,” Lucian says, and my heart drops into my stomach. “Summon Healer Selene Thorne to appear before the Council.”
No!
The word screams through my mind, but objecting now would only make things worse.
Zane’s expression remains carefully neutral, but satisfaction gleams in his dark eyes for just a moment before he smooths it away. He has us exactly where he wants us, with Selene about to be standing before the Council, having to choose between maintaining his lie or revealing a truth no one will believe.
If she claims I’m her fated mate, he’ll accuse me of magical manipulation. If she admits she has been avoiding him, she’ll have to explain why—and any answer involving me paints me as the monster who thwarted destiny.
A messenger hurries out of the chamber to retrieve her.
My mate. My Selene. About to be dragged into the center of this political shitstorm, and I’m powerless to protect her from it.
The next twenty minutes are a silent hell.
Then, the chamber doors open, and she steps through.
She’s in her healer’s robes, the simple white uniform that marks her profession. I’d left her sleeping in my bed this morning; she was too exhausted from another nightmare-interrupted night for me to wake her when I had to leave for this Council meeting. She must have dressed in a rush when the messenger came to fetch her.
Her auburn hair is pulled back in a practical braid, and her face is composed. Controlled. Even as her eyes sweep the assembled nobles and land on Zane.
No reaction. Not a flicker of fear or recognition. Just cold assessment before her gaze moves on, finding mine.
The connection hits like lightning. Through our bond, I feel her steel herself, drawing on reserves of strength I didn’t know shepossessed.
“Healer Selene Thorne,” Lucian says, his voice carrying throughout the chamber. “Thank you for joining us.”
