Chapter 126

Chapter 126
“Now can we talk about what made you come all this way? There’s no chance you followed me here without a reason. Something must have happened.” Valtor said quietly, his voice low but firm.

After her conversation with Kallias, Winter finally asked the man to leave. He did so without protest, retreating from the room with a respectful bow. Only then did she turn back to her mate.

Valtor had been waiting just outside the room. The moment she stepped into the corridor, she saw the worry, tangled with jealousy and a sharp edge of irritation, written all over his face. He looked like a man who had fought every instinct not to barge into the room. But when Winter met his gaze calmly and offered him a small, reassuring smile, some of that tension finally eased from his shoulders.

Talking with Kallias had distracted her briefly from the unease Freya had left behind at the castle. Now that she was with Valtor again, the weight returned, but it felt lighter somehow, as if being near him steadied her.

“Kallias’s issue has been handled,” she said lightly, offering a faint smile. “He promised he won’t come here again.”

“I don’t care about him,” Valtor replied at once. His gaze lingered on her face, concern softening the sharp lines of his features. “I want to know why you came here. What’s wrong?”

“Freya…” Winter exhaled slowly. “She came to the castle earlier. And she brought an old seer with her, someone who claims they can see the future.”

Valtor frowned. “Why would she do that?” Then he stopped, realization dawning. 

The question that truly mattered wasn’t Freya’s motives, it was Winter’s state of mind. He could feel her discomfort through their bond, the lingering tension beneath her calm expression.
She had needed him, and he hadn’t been there.

Guilt tightened his chest. “She crossed a line,” he said at once. “I’ll make sure she apologizes to you properly. She won’t pull something like that again."

“I’m really fine,” Winter interrupted softly. “I was just shocked that she brought a stranger into my room without any warning. I ended up hurting her a little.” Her lips curved in a faint, apologetic smile. “My wolf can be more aggressive than I am sometimes.”

She waited for his disapproval. For anger, or at least concern over one of his people being harmed.

Instead, Valtor only nodded. Something like pride flickered in his eyes.

“That’s good,” he murmured, lifting his hand to tuck a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me. The 'guest' this time wasn't expected at all.”

“I’ll tell you what the seer wanted,” she said instead—deliberately steered the conversation away from Kallias. 

Because even though she hadn’t agreed to Kallias' request, she wasn’t ready to tell Valtor about it either. The thought of him ordering a search of Crystal, and that woman being dragged back in chains, somehow made her chest tighten.

“What she tried to predict. About me. About us.” Her voice lowered. “But not here.”

“About us?” Valtor asked, curiosity sharpening his tone.

Winter nodded and took his hand, leading him down the corridor. Guards bowed as they passed, only when they reached a quieter stretch of the castle, far from prying eyes, did she finally stop.

She drew in a steadying breath. “Before you misunderstand… I know the seer wasn’t saying anything extraordinary. It’s what everyone expects especially now that we’re married.” Her gaze flicked to his face, searching for any sign of tension. “Freya brought her to see what kind of heir I might give Nytheris, Valtor.”

His expression remained unreadable.

“What?” 

“Yes.” Winter swallowed. “I know they’re all waiting for it, for the announcement that I’m carrying your child. Your heir. The future ruler of this realm.” Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. “I-i didn’t need anyone to remind me. I understand that responsibility.”

Silence stretched between them.

She felt it then—the ache rippling through their bond. The memory of the unborn heir he had lost surfaced, grief lingering like a shadow he could never quite outrun.

“You don’t have to think about that,” Valtor said at last, his voice rough. “I’m content with what we have now. With you. That’s all I want.”

It was a lie.

Winter felt it instantly.

“So am I,” she said gently. “But I want a child with you. I want to give you an heir.” She paused, watching the emotions flicker behind his eyes. “But what if I can’t? What if I’m barren?”

The question tore its way out of her before she could stop it. 

Seconds stretched into an eternity before Valtor’s hand finally settled on her shoulder, 
“And?” he said quietly. “It changes nothing, Winter.”

She lifted her gaze to his, breath snagging in her chest.

“We’ll adopt,” he went on without the slightest hesitation. “From an orphanage or other tribes. From anywhere. I don’t care where the child comes from.” His thumb tightened against her shoulder, “Nothing will ever change what you are to me.”