Chapter 42 The Queen’s Suspicion
Chapter 42 The Queen’s Suspicion
Arya’s POV
The palace felt colder the next morning, like every wall whispered warnings the moment I stepped into the corridor. Servants brushed past me quickly, eyes lowered, not out of politeness, but fear. Fear of being seen near me.
I’d thought things were already bad. I was wrong. As I carried a basket of clean linens toward the upper floors, I heard voices echoing from the hall ahead. Not just any voices — nobles. Gossiping loudly enough for every guard to hear.
“She must be using charm spells. There’s no other reason the prince would look at a servant.”
“Disgusting. Wolves like her don’t belong in the palace.”
I slowed, swallowing thickly. Kyle. It always came back to him. I turned a corner and nearly collided with two palace maids. They froze when they saw me, eyes widening.
“That’s her,” one whispered. “Don’t look her in the eyes or she’ll enchant your mate too.”
They scurried off like mice before I could respond. My chest tightened. Enchant? I couldn’t even enchant my way out of the kitchen.
Sighing shakily, I pushed into the laundry chambers. Warm steam washed over me giving me temporary comfort. I set the linens down just as Irene waved me over.
“Stop sulking and go upstairs,” she barked. “The Queen wants you in her private parlor.”
My stomach dropped to the floor.
“The… The Queen?” I croaked.
“Yes. And don’t make her wait unless you want your head served on the dinner tray.”
I barely managed a nod before leaving the room, pulse pounding in my ears. Why did she want me?
Nothing good ever came from attention in this palace, especially from Queen Celia.
I arrived at the parlor door, heart threatening to choke me. Two guards stood on either side. One frowned.
“She’s allowed in?” he asked doubtfully.
The other guard nodded stiffly. “On the Queen’s orders.”
His annoyance stung more than I expected.
I knocked softly.
“Enter,” her voice called — sharp and cold as steel.
I stepped inside and bowed quickly. She stood near the window, back to me, dressed in silver silk that shimmered like moonlight. Her posture alone demanded obedience.
“You requested me, Your Majesty?” My voice sounded too small.
She didn’t turn around.
“They say my son has been defending you again.”
My breath caught. “I… I don’t know why—”
“Liar.”
The single word sliced through the air like a blade. She pivoted slowly, eyes narrowed with calculated hatred.
“My son argues with the council…” she said, pacing closer. “…argues with his father… even argues with me — all because of a servant girl who forgets her place.”
I lowered my head. “Kyle, I mean… the Alpha is only—”
“Silence.”
My throat closed. She circled me like a predator sniffing out a weakness.
“Ever since you arrived, chaos follows.” She tapped a manicured nail against my chest, right over my racing heart. “You turned a festival of unity into embarrassment. You disrespected our honored guest. And then my son…”
She stopped, fury twisting her face.
“...placed himself between you and punishment. Twice.”
I hadn’t asked Kyle to do that. I hadn’t wanted him to risk anything for me. But every defense he made only deepened the council’s hatred.
Queen Celia stepped even closer, so close I could feel her breath.
“If I find you have used any wolf trick, any seduction
… any hidden power to control my son…” she whispered, voice dripping venom, “…I will have your tongue cut out and fed to the ravens.”
A tremor shook through my spine.
“I haven’t used anything,” I managed. “I would never—”
“You already have.”
She leaned in, eyes burning into mine. “You made him care. And that is the most dangerous weapon of all.”
The door slammed open behind us. I flinched. Kyle stood in the doorway. His eyes locked onto me first, relief flashing through them then hardened when he saw his mother inches from my face.
“Mother,” he growled. “Leave Arya alone.”
The Queen straightened, smoothing her dress.
“You arrived just in time, son. I was reminding your… friend… of her position.”
“She knows her position,” he snapped. “It’s you who keeps forgetting mine.”
There was silence, heavy and electric. Queen Celia stared at him in disbelief.
“You dare raise your voice to me over a servant?”
Kyle moved fast, stepping between us, positioning me behind him protectively.
“Over Arya,” he corrected, voice low but firm.
My breath hitched.
The Queen’s eyes darkened at the challenge. “You will marry Lyria. The decision is final. Whatever childish fascination you have with this girl ends now.”
Kyle’s jaw clenched. “I will marry when I decide. And who I decide.”
Her lips curled. “Would you throw away your future for a girl who can barely sweep the floor?”
Kyle took a step forward, his dominance radiating like heat.
“Say one more word about her,” he warned, “and I swear—”
“Kyle,” I whispered, grabbing his arm.
He turned slightly toward me, tension cracking through him. I gave a tiny shake of my head. Don’t do this because of me. Don’t let me ruin you.
His breathing slowed — only barely — but he pulled back from the edge of a fight we both knew would destroy something sacred.
Queen Celia smiled coldly, sensing the small victory.
“How sweet,” she mocked. “She tames you like a wolf on a leash.”
Kyle’s chest rose — and fell — in one furious breath.
“I’m done here,” he said sharply. He glanced back at me. “Come on.”
But the Queen’s voice lashed out behind us:
“If you walk out with her, I’ll have the council reconsider Crescent Fang’s request.”
Kyle froze.
“And if they choose to hand her over,” she continued, smirking, “she will be chained… and dragged across the border like an animal.”
My blood turned to ice. Crescent Fang didn’t want justice. They wanted vengeance. They wanted experiments. Torture. War leverage.
Kyle turned slowly. His voice shook with rage.
“You would threaten the life of someone in your own pack… someone innocent?”
“Innocent?” She laughed without humor. “There is nothing innocent about that girl.”
I’m sorry, I wanted to say. Please don’t fight for me anymore. I don’t deserve it. But the words wouldn’t come.
Finally, Kyle grabbed my hand boldly, in full view of the Queen, refusing to let go.
“Touch her,” he said, voice deadly calm, “and you won’t like what happens next.”
Her gaze flicked to our joined hands, disgust twisting her expression, but she stayed silent as Kyle pulled me from the room.
We didn’t stop until we were far down the hall. He released my hand only when he realized how tightly he’d been holding it.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed. “I should have controlled myself.”
“You defended me,” I whispered. “You shouldn’t have to do that. Not for me.”
His eyes searched mine — pain and something deeper simmering there.
“I will always defend you, Arya.”
The words hit me like lightning, warm and terrifying. Before I could speak, he took a shaky step back.
“They’re watching you,” he warned. “More than ever.”
His voice hushed, desperate.
“Please… be careful.”
And then he left, shoulders heavy with battles he could no longer avoid.