Chapter 56 CHAPTER 56
The palace grounds were quiet in the late afternoon. The sun spilled golden light over the stone paths, shadows stretching across the courtyard. Ethan stood alone, arms crossed loosely over his chest, eyes scanning the distant horizon as if he could see danger creeping across the land. His jaw was tight, and his fingers flexed slightly, betraying the tension he carried ever since the witch’s intrusion.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel behind him. Ethan turned, spotting Liam approaching. The commander’s gait was measured, precise. As he reached Ethan, he bent into a deep bow.
“Your Majesty,” Liam said.
Ethan’s lips curved into a smirk. “I hate being called that by you.”
Liam straightened slowly, shoulders rigid. “I am here on official business as head commander. Protocol requires that I address you as such.”
Ethan chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Fine, fine. Just… give me the report.”
Liam inclined his head. “As you wish.”
Ethan’s smirk faded, replaced by the sharp focus of a man used to carrying the weight of an entire kingdom. He leaned slightly, elbows brushing the air, eyes narrowing. “It’s been a few days since the witch incident. What did your investigation uncover?”
Liam ran a hand over his jaw, thinking carefully before speaking. “We went to the Silverpine border, with a small contingent of guards. We observed the community. They’re not searching for Lisa. From what I saw, they did not send the witch.”
Ethan’s brow furrowed. “And the young mate…. Lisa’s?”
Liam’s eyes narrowed. “He’s still with his chosen mate. He doesn’t seem bothered that Lisa left. From what I observed during training, he isn’t much of a warrior. He struggles against even younger or lower-ranking wolves. I do not understand why they’re trying to make him alpha.”
Liam continued, “It’s the same with the rest of Silverpine’s warriors. They are not as strong or skilled as the rumours claim.”
“What do you mean?” Ethan enquired.
Liam’s shoulders tensed as he adjusted his stance. “Everyone speaks how great the Silverpine guards are. That their trainer is the best, but what I saw is the complete opposite - Their training is uneven. They do not seem like the best warriors. Either something is affecting them, or the rest of us have been misled about their capabilities.”
Ethan exhaled slowly, eyes sweeping over the distant trees. “I see. And Nolan? Did you observe him?”
Liam allowed a faint smile. “Yes. We followed him. He isn’t doing anything suspicious. I spoke with the priestess. She doesn’t believe he had anything to do with the witch. His cover in the human world is caring for strays and injured animals. I doubt he would even hurt a fly.”
Ethan’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. “If that’s the case then I owe him an apology,” he murmured. “Next time I go to the city, I will make sure to visit him.”
Liam’s lips tightened in acknowledgment. “Wise, Your Majesty.”
Ethan’s eyes returned to Liam, sharper now. “So we have no answers. Where did the witch come from? She had no markings, nothing on her body to point to her origin.”
Liam rubbed the back of his neck, eyebrows knitting. “There are rumours… but nothing confirmed.”
“What kind of rumours?” Ethan asked, the tension in his voice betraying his impatience.
Liam hesitated, then spoke slowly. “There is said to be a hidden community of witches high in the mountains. They practice dark magic. No one can reach them. They are hidden by a spell so powerful, only those with great power or affinity can find them.”
Ethan’s chest tightened slightly. “As powerful as Nolan?”
“I cannot say,” Liam admitted. He shifted weight from one foot to the other, scanning the courtyard as if expecting danger to appear from the shadows. “It is only a rumour. The village is said to contain only women. To reproduce, they kidnap humans or weaker warlocks. They force them to bear children, then kill the fathers. Only women remain. They are ruthless and secretive.”
Ethan pressed his lips together, jaw tightening. He ran a hand over his forehead briefly, letting out a slow exhale. “This… this is serious.”
Liam inclined his head. “Yes, Your Majesty. We should continue investigating. I can take some guards to see if there is any truth to these rumours.”
Ethan’s shoulders relaxed slightly. He ran a hand down his chest, flexing his fingers briefly. “You do that. But be careful Liam, watch from afar and do not engage. If anything feels off, you abort mission immediately. If the rumours are true, then we don’t really know what they are capable of. Your security and that of the guards come first. Understood?”
“Of course.”
About Lisa, It’s important she continue with her training as planned. She needs to be able to do basic self-defence at least.” Liam said, shifting his weight as he considered.
“Don’t worry about that. I can train her myself while you’re gone. This matter is urgent, focus on the investigation. If necessary, consult with Celestine or Nolan.” Ethan’s eyes narrowed, scanning the horizon again. “Keep your observations detailed, but keep it between the two of us for now. We wouldn’t want elder Vaughn’s wild theories circulating within the community without concrete proof. This threat takes priority. Understood?”
Liam nodded. “Of course. I will head out immediately. If there is anything to report, I will mind link it to you as it happens. Keep yourself safe in the meantime and especially your sister and her human friend as well. We are yet to find out how the spy found her way to the court so we can’t be sure there isn’t a betrayer among our people. We should keep our eyes and ears open.”
Ethan allowed himself a small sigh, shoulders lifting fractionally, but the tension did not leave. Every instinct warned him: this witch, or whatever lay behind her, was only the beginning.
“I know, I thought the same too. Keep safe too, I wouldn’t be able to face your parents if something were to happen to you.”
Liam smirked faintly. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re more concerned about missing my mother’s cooking than for my safety. It’s the food, am I right? That’s what you’re afraid you’d miss if something were to happen to my mother’s child.”
Liam smirked back at him “You’re right. You, I can replace. But the food, not so much. So keep safe for the sake of my appetite, and don’t come back with unwanted surprises.”
Liam’s lips tightened into a thin line, acknowledging the comment. “None that I cannot handle.” He gave Ethan a small salute and headed off.
As Liam departed, Ethan remained still, eyes drifting over the horizon. He exhaled slowly, muscles relaxing slightly, then tensed again. The rumours, the witch, the mysterious village… all of it pointed to danger far greater than anyone realized. But worried him most was the fact this may not have been a coincidence. The fact that the witches showed up just after his sister’s return and the fact that it was by a witches’ hand that she had disappeared by all those years back.
What if they were back to finish what they started seventeen years ago? And how did they find out she was back in Mooncrest. Was Liam right? Was there a spy within the kingdom walls?
Ethan straightened, his jaw firm. “I will uncover it,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. His eyes sharpened. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the grounds, the palace walls glowing golden. “No way I’m letting her experience the horror she endured when she was still a toddler.”