by Kat Zaccard
I found Diego and Sir Henry on the other side of my door. I greeted them both politely, and they escorted me to the council chambers. I noticed that several other bodyguards were lingering in the large antechamber outside the council chambers proper. I wasn’t the only one wary of the unexpected timing of this meeting. I also noted a few other guests of the palace among them, including Anatoly and Logan. Jack was among the lingering bodyguards. I walked over to him briskly.
“Jack! Who’s guarding Shea?”
“Don’t worry, Your Maj—er—Royal Highness. Becky is escorting her to the antechamber. I insist we all stay as close together as possible today.” I nodded in cautious agreement and left the men behind me.
A hush fell over the room as I entered the council chambers. Everyone was already seated, including the Queen. Christina smiled malevolently at me, and I wondered just what she was up to. I glanced over at Nadia, but she only shrugged. We were armed with the truth, and I was prepared to fight if necessary. I looked at Christina, swallowing my disgust. This woman had murdered my parents and brother. It took everything I had not to launch myself across the table at her. I wanted to wipe that smug look off her face so bad.
I greeted Prince Liam O’Cleirigh as I took my seat next to Queen Christina. I nodded around the room at the council members. Kwento Balewa from Nigeria gave me a stiff nod, but Princess Saanvi Basu smiled broadly at me. Prince Abed Malouf didn’t catch my eye. Lady Olympia glowered at me with open hostility. She always supported Queen Christina and didn’t like my attempt to annul my betrothal. Speaking of which, my hopefully not-soon-to-be grandfather-in-law, Prince Ulric, was giving me a patronizing grin. Duke Aleksandr, a staunch supporter of mine, rose to salute me as I nodded to greet him. Sir Caleb Griffin, a rotund councilman from America, scoffed at the gesture earning an approving smile from Christina. Jillian was already occupying her grandmother’s former chair.
It was still odd to see Jillian seated at the council. She seemed less sure of herself than I’d ever seen her at school. Looking at her now, I admired her striking blonde hair; it shone more golden than usual. I glanced at her, searching for outward signs of the secret I knew and kept. I’d pondered heavily on what to do about it. I would never shame another woman, but I might need the information she carried. Foolishly, I hoped my name plan was good enough.
The Queen Regent called the council meeting to order. First on the agenda was of course the increasing upyr threat. Once again, Christina downplayed the significance of the reports. Duke Aleksandr Ivanov reported that training in Eurasia was going very well.
“However, we have had reports from the neighboring covens that the upyr are increasing their attacks on human settlements. Some have reached out to us for aid.”
“Preposterous!” scoffed Christina. “Werewolves are not to interfere in witch affairs. We all know where that can lead.” She nodded knowingly around the room, and I wished Lola was nearby to fill me in on my obvious historical gap.
“Surely we should gather allies to help us fight the upyr?” I said.
Sir Caleb looked scandalized while Aleksandr agreed. Lady Olympia began to wax on about the strength of the Great Pack and the need to protect our own.
“But what about the humans? They may need our help as well?” I asked, thinking about my mom. Again, my pleas were rebuked by the Queen. I ground my teeth in hatred. This woman was behind the attacks; she cared nothing for the humans that got in her way.
Finally, the council agreed to send scouting parties to assess the reported threats. Christina also introduced another pamphlet to be distributed to the masses to help prepare anyone if they saw an upyr. It was my turn to scoff at the ridiculous suggestion. No pamphlet could prepare you for the undead uprising. Christina insisted we move on to other matters.
After a few discussions regarding trade routes and next year’s exchange student program, the floor was open to any new business not on the agenda. I pushed back my chair and stood.
“I have one item to add today if it pleases the council. I submit this petition to assert that all my heirs born of my body will be welcomed into the Royal Clan of Luna and be bestowed the name and title deserving of their status.” I specifically left Logan and the Dolph Clan completely out of my speech.
Prince Ulric rose and pounded the table. “But your mother and I agreed—”
“Sadly, my mother is dead.” I cut a look to Christina. “And the betrothal contract does not specify the naming of the children. Given that I am the last of my line, and the outranking royal of the pairing, it only makes sense that my children shall be Lunas.”
There were nods and mutterings of agreement around the room. “Shall we vote on it?” I goaded the Queen Regent.
“I second,” jumped in Princess Saanvi before Nadia had the chance. Having no other choice, Christina called for a vote and the motion was passed ten-to-three. Christina, her daughter Jillian, and Ulric all voted against me. I didn’t blame Jillian; she had to keep up pretenses too. It furthered my suspicion that the Queen was happy to have her daughter on the council over her mother, who was known to disagree with her ambitious progeny.
Prince Ulric looked gaseous but said gracefully. “No matter, my grandson will still be king.” He looked calculating, as if his mental machinations could alter the course of events if he just thought hard enough.
“That brings me to my second point, Your Highness. Given that I am to be Queen and I am currently the last of my name. I move that my husband shall be titled Prince Consort, as it is the traditional way.”
This was again met with discord from Ulric, but approval from the rest of the council. I rather enjoyed using the traditions in my favor for once, but it wasn’t quite enough to protect me from the Dolph Clan altogether.
“We agree to your terms, Your Royal Highness,” Ulric begrudgingly agreed. I should have felt happy that I won, but it was as if a rock had settled in my gut. I knew then that I was holding out hope that Ulric would be willing to annul the contract. I looked over at Jillian. Could I do it?
“Well, if that is all.” The Queen glanced around the table.
“Well, there is one more item.” My renegade mouth spoke before I could tell it to stop. Nadia looked startled, and I knew she feared I’d reveal Cordelia’s diary. I wasn’t quite prepared to take that on, but I did have one more trick up my sleeve. But it was a dick move.
“As much as I want to uphold my mother’s agreement with the Dolph Clan, I’m afraid there is another little matter that may prevent that possibility.” I was definitely rambling. Maybe I could back-pedal out of this? But where would that leave me? And Logan, for that matter? As much as he was ready to go along with his family’s instructions, he didn’t really want to marry me either.
Ulric rose again in anger. “Enough of this, Princess Alice. You’ve stated your conditions. The betrothal cannot be annulled by this council. Your previous case was presented and lost. You’ve won your family name and that of your consort. What more could you possibly do now?”
Oh, there was so much more that I wanted do. I glanced at Jillian. Could I throw her under the bus to get my way? I’d debated with myself a million times over this issue. I decided public humiliation was a small price to pay for a chance at a life of happiness. I just wished it was my humiliation and not Jillian’s.
“You see, Prince Ulric and esteemed council members, I have been researching twining laws and I’ve come across an interesting tidbit of information. It seems that a betrothal can automatically be annulled should one of the party find they have a true mate elsewhere among the pack. Obviously, this happens rarely, but I believe we may have such a case now.”
There were general gasps around the room and shouts of disapproval. Ulric look scandalized, “You dare pretend to be true mates with another wolf to get out of this agreement?”
His accusation struck a funny chord in my heart, but I squashed the music down to proceed with my plan. “It’s not I who’s already mated, but your grandson, L
ogan.”
Jillian gasped and glared at me with hatred. She saw where my train of thought was going and she was tied to the tracks.
I glanced apologetically at her and continued, “I’m afraid it’s true.”
Ulric looked from me to Jillian, not totally oblivious, then. “A high school crush is one thing, but to suggest…”
“I’m not suggesting, I know. I’ve seen the evidence—”
More gasps of outrage and alarm. “You dare dishonor the Royal Clan of Dolph?” spat the Queen, though she seemed entertained by the drama.
“It’s not my dishonor, nor anyone else’s, for that matter. Love is not a dishonor. And true mates are drawn to each other, according to these ancient texts.”
“Ancient laws,” Nadia stated.
“Ancient myths,” Olympia snorted.
“Says the werewolf.” Nadia snapped back.
“Well, many young royals may have a mistress or consort. So what if he found one prior to the twining.” Ulric wasn’t going down without a fight. I sighed. It was time to bring in the big guns.
“This is no mere mistress of which we speak. The werewoman in question is a member of the High Council and seated at this table.” The hostility coming off of Jillian was palpable.
Ulric was red and screaming, “You will produce a Dolph heir!”
“Unfortunately, that honor has already been taken. Jillian Reynolds is carrying Logan Dolph’s child.”
The room exploded in an uproar of accusations, threats, and demands. Only Jillian and I remained silent, staring at one another. The fight left her eyes, and I saw them well up with tears. I mouthed the words, “I’m sorry,” then I looked away, ashamed.
Christina was slamming the egg-shaped marble gavel on table over and over to get everyone’s attention. Eventually, the room quieted down. Christina glared at her daughter. “Is this true?” she seethed.
The look on Jillian’s face was answer enough. Quiet whispers permeated the space and Christina clapped the gavel again.
“Well, there’s nothing for it now,” reasoned Princess Saanvi. “The betrothal must be annulled.”
“But,” sputtered Ulric.
“There’s nothing to be done,” reasoned Lady Olympia coldly. “Motherhood is rare and revered among our kind. Logan dallied with a noblewoman and a member of the High Council. There’s nothing more you can do, Ulric.”
Ulric sat down, turning his ire from me to Jillian. He started to scold her recklessness but was cut off by the Queen.
“Scolding my daughter is my job, Ulric. No matter how stupid or foolish she is, only I can say it.” She glared daggers at Jillian, who shrank further into her chair. “However”—and she turned to me—“Princess Alice has put an awful lot of energy into denying our Great Pack the privilege and honor of upholding our most sacred tradition. If she feels this way about betrothals, what other venerable customs will she abolish? Perhaps Alice is not ready to sit on the throne at all.”
“Princess Alice of the Royal Clan Luna is the rightful leader of the Great Pack,” Nadia spoke up unexpectedly. “She’s fit to lead and ready to rule. We could instate her now.”
“Treason!” shouted the Queen Regent.
“How can it be treason to suggest the heir to the throne is ready to lead?” asked Duke Aleksandr.
“She is not yet of age, and I question whether she is of sound mind,” Christina said.
“Now, Christina, that’s a dangerous accusation,” admonished Prince Liam in such a state that he forgot his etiquette and the Queen Regent’s proper title.
“Au contraire, Prince Liam.” The Queen Regent grinned like the cat who’d caught the canary. “Here is the proof. Guards, bring in the prisoner.”
The chamber doors opened and six or seven guards led in a violent prisoner, lashing at her chairs and baring pointed teeth. The guards had wrapped the prisoner in chains with a spiked collar around her neck, long poles extended like spokes to keep her out of arm’s reach. Collectively, the council members gasped.
“See whom Alice keeps among her friends, an upyr!”
I was stunned as my eyes met those of Sloane.
Chapter 32
Sloane caught sight of me and stopped resisting the guards. A few of them fell over once she was no longer pulling against them. She smiled wickedly at them then smoothed her face. Calmly, she entered the chamber in chains. Behind her trailed the curious onlookers from the antechamber, including my guards, Anatoly, Shea, and Logan.
“This is highly irregular!” declared Prince Liam. “No one but council members are allowed in this chamber!” The room was packed, though everyone stayed far away from Sloane.
“Do you deny that you know this creature, Alice?” questioned the Queen with a malevolent grin.
“Of course she doesn’t!” sputtered Aleksandr.
Nadia looked panicked. She rifled through her briefcase, pulled out Cordelia’s journal, and waved it at me. I guess we were in for a penny, in for a pound.
“I do know this person. Her name is Sloane, and she is an upyr.”
The room erupted into chaos. Only Sloane stood perfectly still. Jillian was crying in her council chair, and Christina was screaming to have me arrested. Guards moved towards me but were intercepted by Jack and Diego.
“Stop this at once!” Liam shouted, reaching over and grabbing the gavel from the Queen. He banged it a few times until the room settled down.
“By her own admission, she is guilty!” shouted the Queen Regent.
“Let her speak,” admonished Saanvi.
The crowd settled down and I stood up. I looked at Sloane. She appeared unhurt. “Sloane is an upyr who defected from her king. She saved my life and that of my friends. It was she who killed one of the upyr who attacked Mount Henley last year.” Mutters from around the room were squelched by Liam banging the gavel.
“There’s only one werewolf working with the upyr king, who ordered the upyr attack that killed one of our best Slivers. That Were is Queen Regent Christina,” I accused. The room exploded.
“How dare you!” Christina nearly launched herself at me then, but her own guards held her back.
“This is true,” spoke up Sloane, which had the effect of quieting the room far more effectively than any gavel. She continued in her soft archaic accent, “I have proof of their communication here.” She pulled out a parchment from her pocket and waved it at me. A guard approached, and she hissed, “I will only give it to Alice.”
“Alice, don’t you dare go near her,” Jack shouted protectively as I rose to accept the note.
“Don’t worry, Jack. Sloane is an ally. She belongs to a group of upyr who have held on to their humanity over the years. Yes, they were once human. Sloane has saved my life more times than I know. She will fight the upyr king with us. She seeks a peace treaty with the Great Pack.”
The rumbling murmurs continued as I approached Sloane and took the note. My eyes scanned the heavy chains and the brutal collar around her neck. My heart broke to see my friend treated with such indignity. I unfolded the note, recognizing the royal seal that by right belonged to the Luna Clan. Christina’s handwriting looped across the page and ended with her signature.
I read the note aloud: “My Dearest, our plan is nearly complete. I have everything ready. You may lead the upyr attack as planned. All my love, Christina.” I finished reading and looked up at Sloane, just as perplexed as everyone else.
“‘Lead the upyr attack!’” quoted Aleksandr. He rounded on Christina and demanded, “Who are you communicating with?”
It was Sloane who answered, “She speaks only to the upyr king. He is young and foolish, not even twenty years dead.”
“Sloane, who is the upyr king?” I held my breath.
“He is an arrogant megalomaniac named Frederick,” Sloane replied.
“Frederick? You mean Uncle Frederick?” I asked.
Sloane shrugged. “If my sources are correct, it appears they are one in the same. It never occurred to m
e he’d been a werewolf before he became an upyr.”
“You cannot possibly believe a teenager and a monster?” Christina tried to laugh, but her face distorted in fury.
The note had been circulating the table. One by one, the council members examined the royal signature. One by one, disbelief turned to disgust on their faces.
Lady Olympia spat on the floor. “How could you betray us like this, Christina?”
“If I am conspiring, what about her? She has an upyr friend among us.”
“An upyr that saved my life,” piped up Shea to the council’s disapproval.
“Sloane is not on trial here,” I said, “but perhaps you should be.” I held up the journal I’d retrieved from Nadia in the commotion. “I’ve further evidence of Christina Reynolds and Frederick Luna’s treason and conspiracy against the Great Pack. She murdered my mother and brother.”
There were more gasps and exclamations around the room. Jack and Sir Henry moved in on the Queen Regent. Becky and Diego were at my side for protection. I ordered Becky to protect Shea, knowing that Diego wouldn’t leave my side. Council members were arguing, but I could tell the vote would not go in Christina’s favor. She also seemed to be aware that she was losing her once adoring audience.
“We must present the evidence and take a vote,” Sir Caleb stated.
“Would we not do better to hold a trial on another day?” questioned Lady Olympia.
Even Christina’s former allies could not forgive her alliance with the upyr or the assault on their former queen. Nadia had taken the journal back and was showing the council members near her the relevant passage.
Finally, Christina’s voice rose among the din, “I demand a trial by combat.”
The declaration quieted the room down significantly. Then more questions sprang from the crowd.
“Whom will she fight?”
“It’s supposed to be the Queen or her champion.”
“But she is the Queen!”
“No, she’s the Queen Regent. Alice is the rightful Queen.”