Chapter 189 Marry Her Under Aetherion Rites
Zander exhaled slowly. “Desperate doesn’t even begin to cover it.”
Candice nodded, understanding. Velmora’s laws were absolute. Every House handled its own affairs, its own chaos. No interference, no alliances, no aid… not even in tragedies. If one House was attacked or framed, the others were forbidden to intervene. This rigidity had left countless families vulnerable to betrayal and manipulation.
No wonder Zander had so few options. No wonder he was gambling on Gavriel.
The Alpha King of the Moon Kingdom wasn’t from Velmora. He wasn’t bound by their codes or ancient grudges. He was strong enough, feared enough, respected enough to shift the balance of power across the continent if he chose to act.
But Gavriel didn’t act without reason. He didn’t cross borders or join other kingdoms’ conflicts. Unless… there was something, someone, worth bending his principles for.
And that someone was Althea.
Candice’s chest tightened. She understood now why Zander had involved Althea. He had no other choice if he wanted Gavriel’s cooperation.
Zander met her gaze. “You know as well as I do, there was no other way. I needed the Alpha King, and the only way to ensure his involvement was through her. I didn’t know she would be my cousin until recently. Amon never told me. I only knew she carried the same chaotic energy I do — the same power the Velmora Houses call an omen.”
“Let Althea heal my sister now and ensure her safety,” Gavriel said, his tone firm and leaving no room for argument. “And in return, I’ll help you reclaim House Aetherion for your clan.”
Zander’s head snapped up.
But Gavriel wasn’t done.
“You will also give Althea her rightful name and identity… and let your people know who she truly is.” His voice deepened, a clear warning beneath the promise. “I will marry her in accordance with your culture. With that, you will gain a direct alliance from the Moon Kingdom.”
For a moment, silence swallowed the entire stone chamber. Even Osman blinked, caught off guard while Candice’s jaw dropped. “Wait—what?”
Zander stared at Gavriel as if he had misheard him. His eyes, previously shadowed with caution and exhaustion, suddenly brightened. “You’re… serious?”
Gavriel didn’t blink. “I don’t speak lightly.”
Zander’s expression cracked into a startled, almost relieved smile, the kind that only appears on someone who had been running out of options for far too long. “If you do that… if you marry her under Aetherion rites—”
“Your people will accept her,” Gavriel finished. “They will recognize her as an Ivanov and as your blood.”
Zander nodded eagerly. “Yes. That alone would give her protection and legitimacy… and the right to stand beside you without dispute.” He let out a breath, almost a laugh. “And… an alliance with the Moon Kingdom would change everything.”
Candice crossed her arms but didn’t hide her begrudging approval. “It would stabilize his claim,” she said softly. “And make it impossible for the Cross Clan to erase your family again.”
Zander looked at Gavriel with genuine respect. “I didn’t expect… this.”
“You shouldn’t expect anything except my commitment to her,” Gavriel replied coldly. “She is my priority in this negotiation. Not your war.” His eyes glinted with warning. “If you want my support, she stays safe. Always.”
Zander swallowed, but it wasn’t from fear, more from realizing just how deep Gavriel’s devotion to Althea ran. “Then it’s a deal,” he said quietly. “Let her heal Riela. After that, I will prepare everything for her formal naming… and the announcement to the remnants of our clan.”
Osman stepped forward. “Your Majesty, are you certain about this alliance? The House of Aetherion has many enemies. This could drag the Moon Kingdom into Velmora’s conflicts.”
Gavriel didn’t look away from Zander. “I will not deny Althea her heritage because of politics.”
Zander bowed his head slightly, not as a formality, but in genuine acknowledgment. “Thank you,” he murmured. “You have no idea how much this means.”
Candice exhaled through her nose, muttering under her breath, “Oh stars, Althea better hear this herself or she’s going to faint when we tell her.”
Gavriel’s gaze softened only for a fraction of a second. “She will hear it from me.”
Then his command returned, sharp and crisp. “Bring Riela to my mate. Althea will heal her now.”
Zander nodded, took one step toward the exit… then stopped. A shadow crossed his face. There was something he had been holding back. He slowly turned to Gavriel again.
“Gavriel…” His voice was quieter now. “Once this is done — once House Aetherion rises again… Althea will no longer just be a girl hiding under someone else’s name.” His jaw tensed. “She will be a formal bearer of the Ivanov bloodline. The last legitimate daughter of our clan.”
Gavriel’s expression didn’t change. “I understand that.”
But Zander wasn’t finished. “You do understand what that means, right?” His eyes flicked to the vines on the stone walls, as if remembering old wounds and older whispers. “In Velmora, power like ours has always been feared.”
Candice stiffened, already knowing where he was going.
Zander continued anyway. “The moment Althea claims her title, every House will see her the same way they saw me. The same way they treated my entire clan.” His voice hardened, resentment coloring every syllable. “An omen. A walking imbalance. Someone born with magic that shouldn’t exist.”
He looked straight into Gavriel’s eyes. “She can wield the elements freely, just like me. That alone is enough for the other Houses to shun her… or worse, try to control or kill her.”
Candice let out a long breath. “He’s right. Velmora hasn’t changed at all. They still panic over anything they can’t understand. Elemental wielders outside the Court of Aetherion are always treated like something… abnormal.” She flicked her hand dismissively. “Well, our House is an exception, of course. Terravane actually knows how to adapt. We prefer to see things in a brighter light.”
Zander nodded at her, then returned his gaze to Gavriel. “And you still want to marry her despite what that means for you? Despite the political storm it will bring? Despite the backlash that might reach your throne?”