Chapter 422 Highlands
Chapter 422 Highlands
AUDREY
“The towns around the Highlands will be shielded by spells, so the wolf will be drawn straight to the palace,” Darius said, his voice low but firm. He looked at me, and I saw the conflict in his eyes, fear mixed with something like respect. “Audrey won’t be locked under a full protection spell. Only the children will stay shielded. The plan is for Ryker and the guards to wear the wolf down first. Then Audrey steps in with the goddess’s gifts to banish the darkness for good.”
Allistair nodded from across the table. He was a quiet man with steady hands and ink-stained fingers from years of spellwork. “Only the queen can truly drive out the curse. Everything else we try will fall short. Keeping her away would only make things worse.”
The Oracle went quiet, her fingers tapping lightly on the table as she thought it over. The room felt thicker with silence, broken only by the soft crackle of a torch in the corner.
Finally, she gave a small nod. “Very well. Allistair and the king will leave in a sennight. Allistair will stay in the Highlands until every village and town is protected. I will work with him on the spells before he rides out. Lord Ryker, gather our knights and send word for more to come to the palace at once. We’ll need every sword.”
Ryker gave a short nod, his gloved hands flexing at his sides. I let out a quiet breath, relief loosening some of the knot in my chest. At least Darius hadn’t tried to force me to stay locked away. I knew how badly he feared losing me, but Allistair was right, I was the key to ending this.
Still, a quiet worry lingered in the back of my mind. Everything had to go perfectly. My husband needed to come back to me whole. I couldn’t raise Am and Tia without their father by my side.
“And what about Lord Anthony?” I asked, breaking the short pause.
The Oracle looked at me, one brow lifting slightly. “What of him?”
Darius shifted his weight, his hand brushing mine on the table. “He needs to be found before the Blood Moon.”
I nodded. “He made it clear he won’t let me help Darius during the ritual. That means he’ll probably try to grab me again before I get the chance. We have to deal with him first.”
“We cannot split our focus right now,” the Oracle said with a sigh. “This is too delicate a time.”
I frowned, feeling frustration build. “Lord Anthony won’t stop until he gets what he wants. If we ignore him, he’ll strike while we’re distracted. We shouldn’t underestimate him.”
“And why do you say that?” The Oracle sounded tired, like she was done listening to me.
“Because he’s gifted,” I said plainly, holding her gaze so she would know I wasn’t backing down. “He has powers he’ll use without hesitation to throw everything into chaos.”
She turned to Darius, her expression questioning. “If that is true, how did we miss it?”
“He wasn’t who he pretended to be,” I answered before Darius could. “He hid it well.”
The heavy double doors creaked open then, cutting off the conversation. Cordelia stepped inside, her gown whispering against the stone floor. She looked a little out of breath but composed.
“I hope I’m not too late,” she said with a small smile.
A grin spread across my face. “Not at all.”
I left the table and met her halfway, taking her hand warmly and guiding her back to sit with the rest of us. Her fingers squeezed mine once, a quiet show of support.
The Oracle straightened. “What brings you here, Marchioness? This meeting is for the king’s inner council only, and I attend as head.”
“This seemed like the right moment,” I said, lifting my chin. “Marchioness Cordelia is the newest member of the council.”
I braced for her usual disapproval, the sharp words she often had when I made changes. But she stayed quiet, her face carefully blank. I watched her, wondering if she had even heard me.
“Welcome, Marchioness,” was all she said, her voice even.
Cordelia settled into her seat and glanced around the table. “What are we discussing?”
“The Blood Moon arrangements,” I told her, returning to my own chair. “Let me catch you up on everything.”
I spoke quickly but clearly, laying out the plans for the Highlands, the spells, and the role I would play. Cordelia listened closely, nodding at times, her hand resting lightly on the table. Having her there made the heavy stone chamber feel a little less overwhelming.
~
Later, after the meeting ended and the others had left, Darius and I walked back to our chambers hand in hand. The corridors were dim, lit by wall torches. Tapestries rustled faintly in the draft. I leaned into his side, savoring the solid warmth of him, knowing these moments would soon be rare.
It hurt deep in my chest to think of being apart from him again.
“Thank you,” I whispered as we reached the door to our chambers. The twins had been moved to their new joined room while repairs continued on the old chambers damaged by Anthony’s escape.
Darius paused and turned to me. He took both my hands in his, then pushed the door open so I could step inside first. He followed close behind, the latch clicking softly shut. “What for?”
“Not backing the Oracle when she wanted to keep me locked away under spells. For actually listening to me.”
Darius let out a long sigh. His shoulders dropped a little as he looked at me. “I promised you I would. It terrifies me, more than I can say, but I respect your choice to save me. Looks like I’m not the only one doing the saving anymore.”