Chapter 13 13
Denary's POV
“Why were you eating with her?” Jasper demanded, glaring at him.
I exhaled slowly, tamping down the irritation. “Because she is beginning to grow suspicious, so I thought it best to display affection.”
Jasper scoffed. “To be honest with you, I do not like this plan in general. You do not know when her memory will come back or if she’ll keep quiet about it until she can slit our throats in our sleep. It's better to do away with her now, we can always find another way to get rid of Killian.”
I stopped walking, turning to face him fully. “And I told you already, I do not think I will ever find a better opportunity to take Killian out. I’ve chased him for years with no meaningful result and this is the closest I have ever come so we cannot get rid of her when she is our only leverage.”
Jasper clicked his tongue. “You still do not have a plan. So why keep her alive? Why share meals with her? Why look at her as though she isn’t the one who shot you in the chest with an arrow?”
“I have not forgotten that she shot me with an arrow, Jasper.” “But you seem to have forgotten that I am the strategist here. And my strategies do not falter.” I resumed walking. “In time, a plan will reveal itself. But if it turns out she is of no use at all, I will kill her myself.”
Jasper raised a brow. “You sound certain.”
“I am certain.” I said coldly. “Until then, she will remain untouched. But if I sense any sign of her memories returning, she dies.”
“Very well, have it your way.” He sighed in resignation. “But I need you to explain why you summoned me to your study, only for me to find you here eating with her.”
“Apparently she cooked something and wished for me to eat with her. So I did, to avoid arousing suspicion.” I said, almost dismissively.
Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose. “I will not comment on the fact that you ate a meal prepared by the woman who nearly killed you. Instead, I will go straight to the point and ask why you called for me?”
We reached the end of the corridor before I answered. “I want to know if the investigation has shown any progress whatsoever, it has been long enough, Jasper.”
“In two or three days.” He said. “You will hear something concrete.”
We walked through another corridor, voices lowering instinctively as maids passed us. Our conversation shifted to other pack matters, the latest border reports, the state of the artillery vaults, the new recruits in training, and the last delivery of medicinal supplies to the outpost near the southern ridge.
Finally, as the hallway thinned, Jasper exhaled heavily.
“You know your father is going to demand an explanation soon.”
I stopped walking. “I am aware.” My tone grew colder. “That is why I need those results immediately, before he starts questioning my leadership. Evidence will silence him.”
Jasper turned to me fully. “You could silence him far more effectively by handing him the head of the woman who shot you.”
“Jasper we are not having this discussion.” I said quietly. “Bring me evidence of who leaked information about the northern camp to Killian. That is all I asked.”
“Three days.” He raised both hands. “ Give me three days, and I will bring you the answers you want.”
With that we parted ways and he took the left corridor, while I took the right, heading toward my study.
Over the next two days, I spent it working in my study or having meetings at the council hall. Only today did I realize that I had not seen Amelia since that lunch. But her maid always assured me her checkups were normal and there were no signs of memory resurfacing.
Yet the longer I stayed away, the more I
realized the flaw in my own strategy. If I remained distant, she would begin to question the legitimacy of our “bond.” A woman stripped of her memories lives by observation, so distance is a pattern she will not ignore. The last thing I needed was suspicion growing where trust should sit.
So I closed the file I was reviewing, pushed my chair back, and stepped out into the corridor.
As I passed a corner, voices drifted outward of maids whispering, while huddled far too closely.
“…instead of bringing him back victorious, he dragged himself home with a woman.”
“He was defeated for the first time in his life.”
“By a woman, no less.”
Anger crawled up my spine and I wanted to drag them out by their hair and toss them into the dungeons for treason. But punishment would only make me look insecure. So, I turned sharply, ready to return to my study and avoid more irritations, when I saw Amelia standing there.
She stepped in front of me just as I tried to walk past.
“Are the rumors the reason you’ve been distant?” She asked softly. “Or… do you simply not like me?”
I leaned down, close enough for her to feel the coldness in my breath. “As I told you before, mind your business.” And I brushed her shoulder as I stormed past. I had barely reached my Study when I saw Jasper stepping out.
“I have news about who the spy was and how he was able to infiltrate our army.” He said, as soon as he saw me.
“Let’s talk inside.” We walked in, and I shut the door behind us.
“Who was it?” I asked immediately.
Jasper hesitated and snapped. “Jasper. Tell me. Who betrayed us?”
He exhaled. “After extensive investigation, we discovered that a man took on a false identity and infiltrated the Blood Rage Army as a new recruit, passed training and took the oath. But the entire time…” Jasper’s eyes narrowed. “He was working for your brother, Xander.”