Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Chapter 55

Chapter 55

The sun had dipped below the horizon a long time ago, and now the night had occupied its position while the moon rested as a crescent in the sky, messily shadowed by dark clouds that threatened the creatures below with the possibility of rain. The air had cooled, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and distant pine. Under the beams were Kai and me. We sat by the swing, my legs atop Kai’s thighs. He was helping me cut my toenails while I ate the ice cream he got me from the kitchen a few minutes ago, while he nursed himself a gin. The clippers made small, precise clicks. His fingers were warm against my skin, careful not to nick me. The ice cream was sweet and cold, melting faster than I could eat it.

In truth, I was driven to take a taste of his drink, but not after the news he spilled.

"The reports are none I can ignore any longer. I must attend to them," he mentioned and carefully waited for my response. His voice was low, almost blending with the night insects.

"And when are we to leave here?"

"When Clawface showed me the charts..." he paused, then resumed, "the Jury is planning something hideously perilous, and I don’t think Father would stop them even if he knew about it."

That was clear to me as well. Kai’s father hated him, and he wouldn’t mind if Kai was even overthrown. I think, to him, he believed that since he had no other sons he could make heir other than Kai, he didn’t fear losing the throne to another family. After all, his entire generation had been wiped out.

I’d spent enough time in the library to know that Kai’s father was the only son of Kai’s grandparents. If Kai should forfeit the ownership of the Alpha King title, then the entire family would lose their kingship. Kai was basically the last of them. The thought sat heavy in my chest even as I kept eating.

"I don’t think so either," I commented as I chewed on the plastic spoon. The cream had started to taste a little bitter now that the conversation had turned.

"So, we leave tomorrow. I need to see how far up their asses the devil has his fingers, and exactly how to cut them off and take back my respect."

Perhaps on another occasion, I’d have been mad that Kai had left the throne for too long, making things harder on himself, but he spent all those times with me, and for that, he did deserve my support. Even though I was scared to face the Jury, I knew it was what must be done. The swing creaked softly when I shifted.

"If you’re not okay with it, I can..."

"Please, no. No more," I cut in, the chiming of my voice halting him. "Indeed, I’m scared, but I can’t continue to let fear dictate how I live. I don’t even know if I can face the Jury when we get there, but you must secure your place, and we’ve had our fun and I enjoyed being here, but none of this would’ve been possible if we lost the throne or let some old men steal it from us."

As I continued, Kai’s smile broadened. He looked proud. Like a father who had just taught his son how to ride a bicycle or steer a skateboard. I went back to eating the ice cream, but this time a little harsher, and my grip on the spoon tightened until the plastic bent.

My thoughts danced like a flickering fire and resembled the waltzing clouds passing by the moon, briefly shadowing its light. I thought about the castle halls I had walked, the books I had read, the way Kai’s hand felt when it found mine in the dark. I thought about what it would mean if we failed.

The rest of the night blurred into other conversations, fits of laughter, and more teasing. Kai caught me up on more of his day, and I mentioned my time with Marcellan and the surprise on my face when he was serious and actually giving me points that made sense.

Kai too was in disbelief, and it was funny to recollect. We talked until the gin was gone and the ice cream cup sat empty on the grass. The clouds thickened. A few drops of rain never quite fell.

We slept in each other’s arms that night, and while I struggled to sleep for the first few hours, my thoughts reeling far beyond valleys and seven seas, I eventually came to a settlement, reminding myself that I was with Kai, and all things were well as long as that remained my truth. His breathing evened out before mine did. I listened to it until my own eyes closed.

∆∆∆

Morning came with a lot to prepare for. Packing clothes. Early breakfast. Hastened showers. The house felt suddenly smaller, as if it already knew we were leaving.

Eventually, Kai and I were seated on the kitchen island as the maids loaded up the booths while I fed Kai the dish I made. He savored its sauce and the rest of the delicacy, never failing to repeat how grateful he was that he married me. He made a low sound of approval with every bite I offered.

Crazily enough, I almost forgot that we were married. Like, we were actually married. The thought arrived in the middle of lifting another spoonful to his mouth and stayed there, warm and strange.

When we were done, we got ready to dress up, and before the sun rose too high, we got into the car. Clawface was the driver today. In fact, he was many things to Kai, or so I’d come to realize. The engine started with a low rumble. The gates opened.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes," I answered simply.

Kai hummed, fiddling with my fingers. His thumb traced the lines of my palm the way he sometimes did when he was thinking.

"You are full of energy this morning. Is something the matter?"

I shrugged before adjusting my position so I could look out the window. "I had much to think about last night, and I came to a conclusion. I’m helping you."

"Tell me more."

"Well, if the universe is behind me, I’ll exert power today. If things go south, then I’ll believe maybe I don’t deserve any of this after all." I glanced at Kai, catching the glint of approval on his face. One could tell he needed that motivation and the support that came with me standing by his side. Then, I faced the windows again, looking out at the streets beyond them. Trees blurred past. Houses. The occasional early riser.

Today’s going to be a long day.

∆∆∆

Our drive seemed nearly endless until we arrived at the castle. Kai and I strode toward the throne room, maintaining the same gait. The stone corridors were cooler than the morning outside. Servants stepped aside without being told.

He leaned in to whisper into my ears. "We are one. We can do this."

I simply nodded, agreeing and allowing our bond to strengthen us. The pull between us felt tighter here, as if the walls themselves recognized it.

As soon as we got to the throne room, Kai was summoned while I was made to sit with the rest of the Jury. Seven seats and a long circular table formed a cage that enclosed Kai in the middle.

This was certainly what the Court meant, and what the Jury did.

Kai faced the north, where in the near distance sat his father upon the throne. He was a man who had seen many battles and witnessed countless affairs such as this. He looked unimpressed and unfazed. Eyelids heavy, breathing stable, he looked down on us all as though we were nothing but subjects beneath him.

Truly, that’s what we all were. At the moment.

If this went well, I’d become the true Luna of SilverFang, and that meant I had to learn how to be like that too. To accept the power Kai had always wanted me to claim for myself. To realize I hadn’t stolen it. I simply deserved it. I kept my spine straight against the chair.

"May I, Your Highness?"

I recognized the man as Count Barry. He was one of the Jury and the most vocal among them. He spoke every time. I made sure to keep my eyes on him, observing every detail. The way he held his shoulders. The thin line of his mouth.

Kai’s father simply gestured, and he proceeded.

"Even though you’ll never be forgiven by the Jury, still we’ve taken mercy upon you to hear your reasons before we judge. Why have you delayed your coronation, meant to happen three days after your marriage, to three whole weeks?"

Kai focused his gaze on his father, as though it was him who had asked the question. Count Barry sat to the left, three seats away from me. His voice boomed, filling the entire space with authority.

He had also been doing this for a long time.

I’m forced to think: how can I compare?

Kai’s reply drew my attention. "I’m a newlywed. I’m only performing my duties to sire an heir. The bed of my beloved was so warm I forgot I had other duties," Kai said.

Shit, he didn’t have to say the second sentence. He was mocking the man, and it was working. The man gritted his teeth. A few of the other counts shifted in their seats.

"Is that what you have to say for yourself?"

"I cannot split myself into many, can I? I can only fulfill my duties one at a time. And now, I’m back."

"And how are we sure you won’t leave the throne at a time of war, or tell us it’s because of your beloved that you’re abandoning your post again? We can’t trust you to be Alpha King, can we?"

I certainly wished this man could be stripped of his position once Kai became Alpha King. I mean, they wouldn’t win. I believed that.

The bond shared between Kai and me revealed his anger, a turmoil brewing in his gut, and so I stood up without thinking.

"I’d like to ease out this case, please."

Without giving me room to breathe, Count Barry was quick to dismiss me. "Please, Luna. You’ll be questioned too, and when it’s your turn, you’ll speak."

For a second, I was taken aback. The room felt suddenly larger and smaller at once.

The court shifted its attention from him until I spoke.

"I stopped MoonBlade from attacking this Pack and this Court. Surely, I deserve to speak."

Count Barry planned to shun me again, but I continued, carrying my voice above his.

"The Constitution is clear, Count Barry. Only the Alpha King can dismiss a member of the Court, and although I may be uncrowned, I am still the probable Luna, and that means I have full authority to speak," I said, but Count Barry was a man of persistence. "No, you will not shun me," I repeated, and finally, he retreated.

Once the floor was passed to me, I proceeded.

"I’ve spent enough time reading the law, and the regulations it carries are clear. Count Barry is in charge of weapons. I don’t see why he’s interrogating Alpha Kai when that’s Count Aaron’s job. And when it comes to martial matters and the advisories that come with such performances, it’s Count Fenvire’s duty."

I looked over each of their faces. Trust me, I didn’t know where this confidence came from... or whatever this courage to face these people was, but anyway, I continued. Some of them would not meet my eyes. Others stared as if they could will me back into my seat.

"That brings me to one conclusion. If the Jury themselves don’t know their duties or possess the simple decorum to support the Alpha King, isn’t it hypocrisy if they’re blaming another for simply performing his duties?"

Then, I delivered the final blow.

"When Kai becomes Alpha King, it’ll simply be just for him to relieve you all of your duties if you don’t start reassembling yourselves and doing what you must to keep the Pack stable. That’s what the Jury is for. For when the Alpha King wishes to rest, they can take over and protect the Pack even in his absence."

My chest plummeted, and I imagined my voice was shaking from the sensation of my airflow tightening, like adrenaline was endlessly pumping through my blood. I was scared as hell to face them, but I actually did, and it felt freeing.

Perhaps after all, the universe was behind me.

Kai looked at me.

And he was proud.

So proud.