Chapter 26 Six Months later
Six months passed like six years. The palace split into two separate courts. The north wing where Adrian ruled, cold and efficient and increasingly isolated. The south wing where Celeste held court with Garrett openly at her side, raising Theo away from his father's influence.
Lila existed in limbo. Still confined to her chambers by council decree. Still forbidden from public appearances. But now also barred from the nursery where Theo lived. Celeste had made her restrictions clear. No contact with the Prince. No messages. No attempts to visit or communicate in any way.
The pack bond stretched thin and painful. Lila felt Theo's presence distantly, felt his confusion at her absence, felt the connection fraying with each day apart. It was different from the mate bond but no less agonizing.
Through her actual mate bond with Adrian, she felt his deterioration. He ruled mechanically, going through motions without feeling. Council meetings blurred together. Decisions were made by rote. He was a ghost inhabiting a crown, existing without living.
They rarely saw each other now. When they did, it was at formal events where dozens of eyes watched. They stood on opposite sides of rooms, careful not to interact, their bond the only connection between them.
Theo turned one year old. Celeste threw a lavish celebration in the south wing. Adrian attended briefly, held his son for ten minutes under watchful eyes, then returned to his duties. Lila watched from her window as courtiers arrived with gifts, as Celeste played devoted mother, as Theo grew bigger and more aware without her.
"This can't continue." Maya said one evening, bringing Lila's untouched dinner. "You're fading again. Not like before, but slowly. The separation from Theo is destroying you."
"What choice do I have?" Lila's voice was flat. "Celeste controls access to him. The council supports her right to restrict visitors. Adrian can't help without appearing to undermine his wife's authority."
"Then stop waiting for permission. Stop being passive. Fight back."
"How? I have no power here. No position. No leverage."
"You have knowledge." Maya sat beside her. "You know things about Celeste's plans. About Margot's involvement. About the evidence they compiled." Her voice dropped. "Use it."
Lila had considered it. She knew Celeste and Garrett planned to eventually leave the kingdom entirely. She knew about the letters Celeste had found, the proof of the mate bond she held as ultimate leverage. She knew Margot was manipulating situations behind the scenes, playing both sides for her own benefit.
But using that knowledge meant becoming like them. Playing politics. Manipulating situations. Abandoning her morals to win.
"I'm not sure I can do that."
"Then you lose everything." Maya's voice was gentle but firm. "Theo. Adrian. Your future. All of it slips away while you cling to being good." She stood. "Sometimes being good isn't enough. Sometimes you have to fight dirty."
That night, Lila made her decision. She would fight. Not for Adrian necessarily, though the mate bond made that inevitable. But for Theo. For the innocent child being used as a pawn in adult games. For the pack bond that screamed at her to protect him.
She needed help. She needed someone with information, connections, and no loyalty to Celeste.
She needed Margot.
Two days later, Lila sent a message through Maya. Not to Adrian. Not to the council. To Lady Margot, asking for a private meeting.
Margot arrived at midnight, slipping into Lila's chambers like a shadow. Her expression was carefully neutral, but her eyes gleamed with interest.
"Lady Lila. How unexpected to receive your invitation." Margot settled into a chair uninvited. "What could you possibly want from me?"
"I want to make a deal." Lila forced strength into her voice. "I know you're manipulating Celeste. Feeding her information. Helping her build cases and gather evidence. Playing advisor while positioning yourself for something bigger."
"Those are serious accusations." Margot's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Do you have proof?"
"I have observation. Knowledge. An understanding of how you operate." Lila met her gaze directly. "And I have something you want."
"What could you possibly have that I want?"
"Information about what happens after the separation year ends. About Celeste's actual plans versus what she's told the council. About who really benefits from the current situation." Lila leaned forward. "I know you're not helping Celeste out of kindness. You want something. And I think I know what it is."
Margot's expression shifted slightly. Interest warred with caution. "You're not as naive as you appear."
"I was naive. I'm learning." Lila kept her voice steady despite her racing heart. "So here's my offer. I give you information about Celeste's true plans. Information that could benefit you greatly if used correctly. In exchange, you help me gain access to Prince Theo."
"Why would I betray Celeste for you?"
"Because Celeste is using you just as much as you're using her. And because when she eventually leaves with Garrett, you get nothing. No power. No position. No reward for months of work." Lila smiled without warmth. "But if you help me, I can ensure you benefit regardless of how this situation resolves."
Silence stretched between them. Margot studied Lila with new assessment, seeing past the weak sister facade to the desperate woman beneath.
"You've changed." Margot said finally. "Six months ago, you would never have approached me with blackmail and deals."
"Six months ago, I still believed being good and passive would save me." Lila's voice hardened. "I was wrong. So I'm adapting."
Margot laughed, genuine amusement lighting her face. "Very well. You have my interest. Tell me what you know about Celeste's plans, and we'll discuss terms."