Chapter 41: Time for Cleansing

– Maximus' POV –

I waited. The light from the lamp burned slow and steady on my desk, but time felt like a tight coil in my chest. My hands were still.

Rowan.

My blood hummed under my skin, my hands were itching to kill.

Suddenly, I sensed Caspian arriving without a sound. He walked to the table and set a small bundle down. He did not bow. He stood, empty and steady.

"Master," he said.

I did not ask if he found anything. I already knew... because he's a man who never failed me.

He opened the bundle and the papers slid out, folded and stained with dirt. There were small notes written in a careful hand. Directions for routes. Names. Times. A thin strip of cloth with an unknown crest.

I never expected Rowan could stoop this low, living evidences in his own room.

Caspian pushed them across to me without expression. "This confirmed Rowan's betrayal to the Kingdom," he said.

I read each line but each name was burned. However, Rowan's mark showed up in the margins of three notes, a small symbol he used when he scribbled messages... an old servant's shorthand. He'd been careful, but not careful enough.

My shoulders pulled back as anger flooded in, my fists clenched.

I never knew I was raising a rat in this palace, he had fcking handed our people and our borders to those rogues. He had spoken to Kozhem. He had fed the market and the rumors. He fcking betrayed us, so from the start he'd never been working in the kingdom but on some monsters. He doesn't know the real monsters were those he betrayed.

I wanted him on his knees under the sky and break him slowly. I wanted to tear the traitor apart and leave nothing. My first breath after that thought was a long, slow intake.

"Where is he now?" I asked.

Caspian's face did not change. "He is in his quarters, near the servants' wing. He has a chest that he keeps locked. I examined under the floorboards. The hollow held the letter and some sealed pouches."

"Good," I said. My voice was flat and controlled. "Do not touch him. Not yet."

Caspian's eyes met mine without a question. "Understood, Master."

I stood in anger. I needed proof. I needed the truth to burn clear in front of every eye in the palace. If I killed him in a frenzy, if I cut him down in public, the traitor's web would only tangle deeper, which may cause the people to scream.

The enemies will use it as an advantage to destroy the kingdom and I couldn't let that happen.

I walked to the moon terrace to clear my mind. I looked at the sky to see the sun about to fall. This is a good place to breathe and to think.

Watching the beauty and peace of the sunrise, I couldn't help but think about her... Lyra, and the kiss we shared. How could her lips be so soft... her eyes so bright, damn it. I'm addicted to her, but I still couldn't forget the look on her face when I left her in the forest and when I ignored her as we passed by each other. She was hurt.

"Prince Maximus,"

Suddenly, my attention was caught when I heard a woman's voice.

I looked back to see Veyra walking towards me. How the fuck did she get here?

"I heard of your troubles. I can help, you know." She said, smiling.

Her offer was clear even before she pressed her hand to the stone beside mine, close enough that the air between us seemed measured.

"I can save the palace from getting ruin," she looked at me in the eyes with her mischievous eyes, "I can quiet the traders because I have all the influence. I can speak to packs, and make them see reasons. Let me help you, Your Highness."

She dressed in an elegant gown, formal and calculated even her movements. She moved forward as if she already owned my answer. I knew what she wants.

She wanted me to take her hand, to accept a marriage that would stop whispers, secure alliances, and calm the court. Her offer was not only a help, it was a bargain.

She smiled at me as she leaned in. Her lips hovered close to mine.

She wanted to seal the deal with a kiss.

But my thoughts were elsewhere. Rowan. The smell of betrayal still sat heavy in my mouth. He had betrayed the kingdom.

I stepped back. “Lady Veyra,” I said. “Your offer is… generous. But this is not the time for deals.”

Her eyes flashed as her smile disappeared. She still reached for me closer but she paused when Harold came running up the terrace. He burst through the arch, breathless.

“Master,” Harold said, dropping a bow that had no room for ceremony this time. “Forgive the interruption, but it is urgent.”

Veyra’s lips were still inches from mine, then, she blinked, annoyed as her hand fell away.

I turned to Harold who was looking serious and sharp. I knew at that moment, something bad is about to happen.

Without a word, I walked passed him towards my office, I had to get away from anyone before he spills his news.

"Prince Maximus!" I heard Lady Veyra shouted my name to get my attention but I ignored her. I don't fcking care about her, though I wanted to tear her into pieces but I couldn't. She's just making me pissed.

When I reached the office, Harold followed and locked the door.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Master,” Harold said, the words tumbling out. "There are movements at our borders. Vampires were seen last night. They were preparing and I overheard men in the outposts. They say an attack will come tonight.”

For a moment I only heard the word. Vampires. The name slid through the air like a knife.

Harold waited for my response, but instead of fear... I smirked.

What a good timing. The puzzle pieces has now been resolved.

To eliminate a rat, the battle tonight is a good chance. This will be the moment that rats should show their paws.

“Good,” I said. “Prepare all the guards,” I ordered. “Arm every man who can hold a spear, including men serving the palace. Gather them now.”

Harold’s face turned pale. “Maximus, what do you mean? We include the menservants in the battle? But we have enough guards-”

“I don’t care.” My tone did not waver. “Bring all men serving inside the palace. Assign them to every border. Remember, do not include women.”

I would not risk Lyra.

Tonight the traitor would show his paw, and tonight I would begin the cleansing.

Whoever stands with you, Rowan, will die... no mercy, no exceptions, not even a priest.

“What are you planning to do, Maximus?” Harold asked.

“It's time for cleansing.”

I must call for Eryndor, it's time for him to move his fingers.