Mated To Rival Kings

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Darian's POV

"I’ll tell you later," I said, leaning my head back against the cold stone. "I just don't like talking about it. Talking about him when I already feel shitty makes everything feel twice as sad."

Valen nodded in understanding. For a moment, the usual fire in his eyes was replaced by something solemn. It felt strange. If you had told me a month ago that I’d be sharing my deepest insecurities with the Northern King in a dungeon, I would have laughed in your face. But here we were.

I felt like we had finally gotten somewhere. There was a part of me that wanted to go further, to tell him about the letters from my advisors back in Celeste. They were practically begging me to return to the Southern Kingdom. The political pressure was mounting, and having someone to discuss it with, someone who actually understood the burden of a crown, would have been a relief.

But I refrained. I didn't fully trust Valen yet. He was impulsive and possessive. There was nothing stopping him from using that information to drive a wedge between Raven and me. If he knew I was being pressured to leave, he might tell her just to make himself look like the more "committed" choice. I decided to bear that burden alone for now.

I decided to go with a version of the truth that wouldn't make me look weak. "Our Kingdoms are so far apart, Valen. Are you really comfortable being here for this long? It’s starting to seem like we’re going to be here indefinitely."

Valen let out a short, bitter laugh. "Honestly? No. I know my Alphas back home don't like me. Well, the new ones are fine, but the ones who served my father... they still look at me like I’m an unworthy heir. It’s only a matter of time before they stage an uprising if I stay away too long."

He looked at his hands, which were now fully healed. "I’ve always led with force and absolute power because that’s all I knew. But these past few days... they've made me want to rethink my methods."

I smiled. It was a small, genuine gesture. "That’s good to hear. It seems your wolf is much calmer, too."

"Yeah," Valen admitted, his voice low. "The rage has simmered down a whole lot. What about you? Do you have concerns about your Kingdom? Is the South falling apart without its King?"

I paused, carefully choosing my words. "Not really. My Alphas are truly submitted to my authority. They are capable, especially my cousin."

Valen’s face twisted into a scowl. "Don't mention him, please. That man gives me the creeps."

I laughed. "He is a unique one, that's for sure. But he's loyal."

We fell into a long silence. I stared at the torchlight flickering on the ceiling. I wondered if my advisors would actually do something ridiculous, like question my rulership, if I chose to stay with Raven. The thought scared me. I loved my people, and I took my responsibility to them seriously. I didn't want to fail them, but the idea of leaving Raven and returning to a cold, empty palace with Celeste was unbearable.

"If you had to choose," I asked, my voice barely a whisper, "between your crown and her... what would you do?"

Valen snorted, the sound echoing through the bars. He looked at me like it was the easiest question in the world. "Maybe I am not as noble and Kingly as you, Darian, but the crown isn't worth much to me without Raven. I won't survive for long without her. In fact, to be brutally honest? I’d burn the North to the ground just to keep her warm."

I chuckled, though there was no mirth in it. It was a terrifyingly honest answer.

"Sorry," Valen added, though he didn't sound sorry at all. "I know my moral compass is way off."

I just shook my head. "At least you're honest."

As evening approached, some workers brought down beddings and dinner. They left the trays inside the cells but stayed as close to the bars as possible, sliding them in quickly. Nobody was willing to get within arm's reach of us, especially Valen. He had the nerve to look offended by their caution, which I found hilarious.

"What? Am I that scary?" Valen muttered, eyeing his stew.

"You're a shackled Alpha King in a dungeon during your mate's heat," I reminded him. "Yes, Valen. You are that scary."

We ate in relative peace and spread out the blankets to sleep. But as the night deepened, the rich, sweet scent of Raven began to permeate the dungeon again. It was intoxicating. I ripped off a strip of fabric from my spare tunic and tied it over my nose to filter the air.

Valen watched me from the other side. "That’s actually quite smart." He did the same with his own shirt.

He lay down on his makeshift bed. "I’d say good night, but we both know that's not going to happen."

"Just sleep, Valen," I said dryly.

The following day passed in a similar fashion. The forced proximity was doing something strange. It was building a form of friendship between us. We talked about trivial things, our favorite hunts, and the different climates of our lands.

In the evening of the second day, I smelled Raven come down. She didn't come all the way to the cells; she stayed a bit back in the shadows, as if she just needed to check that we were still alive. I missed her so much it felt like an ache in my bones. I missed her smile, her scent when it wasn't so damn intoxicating, and the way she looked at me.

The heat must have been starting to wane, because the scent wasn't as unbearable as before. Regardless, I felt a constant, dull tightening in my gut and my pants. It was so easy to stay aroused around her, even when she wasn't in the room.

Valen looked to be doing better, too. He was growling softly under his breath, but he didn't look like he was going to try to snap his chains again. He just looked exhausted—pale, sweaty, and frustrated. I knew I must have looked exactly the same.

At least this confinement had done something for us. I didn't feel the same burning animosity toward Valen. The competition felt less like a life-or-death struggle and more like a shared burden. Eventually, Raven left without saying a word.

Tomorrow, I told myself. Tomorrow we get out of here.

The third day arrived with more food and, mercifully, a few bottles of wine. My body ached from the hard stone and the tension of the shackles. I also smelled quite ripe because we hadn't showered in two days, and the dungeon air was damp and stale.

Valen was trying to keep our spirits up in his own twisted way. "Hey, Darian," he called out, leaning against the bars. "Want to hear a joke?"

"Not particularly," I sighed.

"Too bad. Why don't wolves ever tell jokes while they're hunting?"

I stayed silent.

"Because they don't want to crack a rib!" Valen burst out laughing, a hearty sound that bounced off the walls.

I didn't find it funny one bit. "That was terrible, Valen. Truly."

"Whatever. You have no sense of humor," he said, still grinning.

We knew we would be released anytime after 8:00 PM. As the evening shadows lengthened, we each opened a bottle of ale that had been sent down with dinner.

Valen raised his bottle toward me. "A toast, Darian. To the girl who ruined our lives."

I shook my head at his ridiculousness, but I raised my bottle and clinked it against the bars. "To Raven."

A part of me was happy for Valen. He seemed lighter, as if talking about his father had exorcised some of his demons. It felt like a victory against the man who had tried to break him.

Finally, we heard footsteps. A guard came down the stairs, his keys jingling. He approached the cells and began to unlock the heavy doors. As the iron swung open, Valen and I stepped out, feeling slightly awkward. It was as if we didn't quite know how to act now that we weren't separated by bars. We stood in the corridor, stretching our cramped muscles.

The guard bowed deeply to both of us. He looked pale, his eyes darting between us nervously.

"Your Majesties," he said, his voice trembling. "I am sorry to disturb your release, but there is a situation. There is a wolf lurking around the mansion. We’ve spotted him twice in the gardens, near where Lady Raven was resting."

The air in the dungeon went cold instantly.

"A wolf?" I asked, my voice dropping an octave.

"Yes, Sire. A large one. He hasn't attacked, but he isn't leaving."

Valen didn't even wait for the guard to finish. He was already moving toward the stairs, his eyes glowing blue. I was right behind him.