Chapter 18 Arthur's Fear
RAVEN'S POV
We walked through the gardens in silence.
She was completely different from the woman who'd first requested my protection.
"So what is it?" she asked finally, when we were far enough from the house.
I stopped walking, turning to face her.
"I need to leave," I said. "Today. I won't be able to accompany you back to the capital."
Something flickered in her eyes. Understanding, maybe. Or disappointment—though I couldn't tell which possibility I preferred.
"It's the vampires, isn't it?" she said quietly.
How did she know my intentions so clearly?
"Derek and his group, yes." My jaw tightened despite my attempt at composure. "They know your whereabouts now. They could be a threat to you."
"So you're going to what? Hunt them down? Kill them?"
"If necessary." I met her eyes, letting her see the truth there. "But mostly, I need to find out what's really happening. Why they appeared now.
"When will you be back?"
"Tomorrow. Maybe two days at most." I paused, then added what I probably shouldn't have: "But I will be back. To protect you."
"I can protect myself now." Her lips curved slightly, and something in my chest tightened. "I have magic, remember?"
"Then consider it extra protection."
We laughed together, and for a moment it felt almost normal. Like we were friends, not two people bound by contracts and necessity and secrets neither of us could speak aloud.
Then reality reasserted itself, cold as the morning air.
"Please be careful," she said quietly, wrapping her arms around herself against a breeze that suddenly felt colder.
"Why?" I tilted my head, genuinely curious despite knowing I shouldn't ask. "Why do you care if I'm careful?"
It had been centuries since anyone had worried about me. Centuries since anyone cared whether I lived or died beyond what my death would mean for their own survival.
"Like you said," she answered, voice carefully neutral. "You have to protect me. Can't do that if you're dead."
"Right."
Of course. The contract. The practical arrangement between us.
What had I expected her to say?
I turned to leave before I could say something foolish. Something that would reveal how much I'd come to value these conversations, this strange partnership we'd built.
"Raven."
I stopped.
"I'd love to stop you, but..." She took a breath. "That would be selfish of me. You need to do this. I understand."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Just come back alive. Please."
The "please" nearly undid me.
"Well I can't die, but thanks anyway."
I didn't look back as I walked away. Didn't let myself see whatever expression crossed her face. Some things were better left unexamined.
At the edge of the gardens, I dissolved into shadows, already tracking the trail Derek's group had left. They'd headed north toward the mountains, either arrogant or desperate enough not to bother hiding their path.
I followed the trail into the darkness, leaving House Noir—and her—behind.
Some farewells feel permanent even when they're not.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ARTHUR'S POV
I returned to the capital as dusk settled over the city.
The palace loomed ahead, white stone turning gold in the fading light. Usually the sight brought satisfaction—home, power, everything I was born to inherit.
Today it just looked like a cage with gilded bars.
"Your Highness." A servant met me at the gates, bowing low. "His Majesty requests your immediate presence. In his study."
Immediate. And here I'd been hoping to collapse into bed and contemplate my failures in peace.
I handed my horse to a groom and headed inside, still wearing riding clothes, dust from the road clinging to my boots.
The King's study was on the third floor, down a corridor lined with portraits of dead ancestors. Their painted eyes seemed to follow me as I walked, judging.
As I approached the heavy oak door, I heard voices.
I should have knocked immediately. Announced myself.
Instead, I slowed. Stopped just outside.
Eavesdropping on the King was technically treason. But something in the urgent tone made me pause.
"...no reports from Duke Noir in over a week, Your Majesty." An unfamiliar voice. Male. Older. "The last dispatch we received indicated the frontline had been reduced by half. We're looking at our biggest loss in decades."
My blood went cold.
Duke Noir. Silver's father.
"What of Vincent?" The King's voice was sharp.
"Missing, Your Majesty. Though that's not unusual for him. Since the last war council meeting, no one has seen him. No reports. No communication."
"If House Noir falls—" the advisor continued, voice still maddeningly calm, "—it will destabilize the entire Council of Five. The other houses will move to claim their territory. We could be looking at internal conflict within months."
A heavy pause.
"Then the question becomes," the King said slowly, "whether we commit resources to what may be a lost cause, or whether we accept—"
"It would be logical to cut our losses, Your Majesty." The advisor's voice held no emotion. "Such is the nature of this cruel world."
Take down anything not useful.
They were talking about abandoning House Noir. About letting Silver's family die because saving them was inconvenient.
Footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.
The voices inside cut off abruptly.
Had they heard someone approaching? Sensed me outside?
My heart pounded. I stepped forward quickly and knocked, forcing my breathing to steady.
"Enter."
I pushed open the door, schooling my expression into careful neutrality.
The King sat behind his massive desk, looking completely composed. Relaxed, even. Like he'd been discussing nothing more serious than dinner menu.
Beside him stood a silver-haired man I didn't immediately recognize. Someone who spent more time in council chambers than anywhere that mattered, judging by his soft hands and pristine robes.
"Ah, Arthur." The King smiled as if nothing was wrong. "Good timing. Are you prepared for the summit?"
As if he hadn't just been discussing letting one of the founding houses collapse.
"Of course, Father." I bowed, keeping my voice even.
"And your wife?" The King's eyes were sharp despite his casual tone. "Will Lady Silver be attending with you?"
The question felt loaded somehow. A test.
"Yes. Silver will accompany me."
"Excellent. A united front is important." He paused deliberately. "Especially now."
Especially now. What did that mean? I wanted to ask, to demand answers. But I couldn't. Not without revealing I'd been listening at doors like a common spy.
The silver-haired advisor spoke. "The Crown Prince just returned from House Noir, I understand?"
"Yes," I said carefully. "I was ensuring my wife's safe return to prepare for the summit."
"And how did you find the duchy?" The King leaned back in his chair, watching me. "Everything in order there?"
The question hung in the air like a blade.
This was a trap. Had to be. But what kind?
If I said everything was fine, was I lying? If I said something seemed wrong, would they know I'd overheard their conversation?
"It appeared as I expected, Your Majesty." I chose my words carefully. "Is there some concern I should be aware of?"
The King and his advisor exchanged a glance. Brief. Meaningful.
"No, no. Just asking." The King waved a hand dismissively. "You're dismissed, Arthur. Rest. Prepare for the summit. It will be an important event."
Just like that. Dismissed like a servant who'd outstayed his welcome.
I bowed and left, rage and confusion warring in my chest.
I stood in the corridor outside, fists clenched at my sides.
They knew. They knew something terrible was happening to House Noir, and they'd discussed it like a business decision. Like Silver's family were chess pieces to be sacrificed if the position demanded it.
And they'd shut me out deliberately. Because they thought I'd interfere
Or because they assumed I wouldn't care?
The thought burned.
I found Tir in the training yards, running sword drills with younger guards.
"Walk with me," I said quietly as I approached.
He sheathed his blade immediately and followed me away from listening ears.
"What do you know about House Noir's situation?" I kept my voice low.
Tir's expression darkened. "In what sense, Your Highness?"
"Any sense. Vincent. The Duke. Their forces. Anything you've heard."
He was quiet for a long moment, clearly weighing how much to say.
"There have been rumors," he said finally. "None of them good. But the Noir family's operations are classified at the highest level. Even I can't access that information."
Even my own man doesn't have clearance. This is more serious than I thought.
"I need you to track Vincent for me."
"My lord, it's impossible to track him. He's a King's shadow—"
"I know where he went." I cut him off. "The Blackwater Caves. Northwest, in the Ashenmount range. The place Raven mentioned." I met his eyes. "I want you to find him and send me a message immediately."
His eyes widened. "As you wish, my lord."
A month ago, I would have seen this as an opportunity. The Noir alliance crumbling. Silver becoming politically worthless. Freedom to end the marriage without consequences.
But that was before.
He left, and I stood alone in the empty training yard as darkness settled over the capital.
Tomorrow, Silver would arrive. We'd prepare for the summit together. Play our parts as husband and wife.
Telling her everything would break her. I can solve this on my own.
I have to.
I was running out of time.