The King's Fear
893 Words
The hidden passage seemed endless.
Evelyn followed Kael through the darkness, one hand pressed against the wall for balance.
Neither of them spoke.
The only sounds were their footsteps and the distant echoes of the hunters searching the throne chamber.
Finally, Kael stopped.
Evelyn nearly walked into him.
“What happened?”
He turned toward her.
“We need to wait.”
“For what?”
“To make sure they don't follow us.”
Evelyn leaned against the wall and caught her breath.
Her mind was still trying to understand everything that had happened.
The throne had responded to her.
The royal seal had awakened.
Her mother's letter had warned her about a betrayal.
And now the King's hunters were after her.
She looked at Kael.
“You said my father trusted you.”
“He did.”
“Then tell me everything.”
Kael remained silent.
“I'm serious.”
“I know.”
“You knew my mother. You knew my father. You knew about my blood. You knew the hunters would come.”
“I knew some of it.”
“And you still kept me in the dark.”
Kael looked away.
“Your father made me promise.”
“What promise?”
“That I wouldn't reveal the truth until your royal seal awakened.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“And now it has.”
“Yes.”
“So the promise is over.”
Kael nodded.
“Then tell me what happened to my father.”
Kael's expression changed.
“He discovered who betrayed your mother.”
Evelyn's heart stopped.
“Who?”
“He never told me the name.”
“Why?”
“Because he was being watched.”
Evelyn clenched her fists.
“Then what did he leave behind?”
Kael reached inside his coat.
He pulled out a small piece of parchment.
Evelyn recognized the handwriting immediately.
Her father's.
She took it with trembling hands.
There were only a few words written on it.
The enemy sits beside the King.
Evelyn looked up.
“Beside the King?”
Kael nodded.
“The betrayal came from inside the royal court.”
“Then why hasn't the King found them?”
“Because the traitor has spent years hiding in plain sight.”
Evelyn looked at the parchment again.
“Who could be powerful enough to do that?”
Kael's voice became quiet.
“Someone who controls the royal council.”
Before Evelyn could respond, a deep horn sounded from far away.
Kael's head lifted.
“What is that?”
“The King's signal.”
Evelyn frowned.
“What does it mean?”
“That they've confirmed your awakening.”
“How?”
“The royal seal.”
Evelyn looked down at her wrist.
The golden mark was still faintly glowing.
“So the King knows I'm alive.”
“Yes.”
“And he wants me dead?”
Kael hesitated.
“Not exactly.”
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
“What does that mean?”
“The King doesn't know whether you're a threat.”
“Then why are the hunters after me?”
“Because someone convinced him that you are.”
Evelyn felt anger building inside her.
“Who?”
“We don't know.”
A sudden rustling came from the passage behind them.
Kael immediately moved in front of Evelyn.
A figure stepped from the darkness.
Evelyn froze.
It was an old man wearing the black robes of the royal court.
Kael raised his weapon.
“Who are you?”
The stranger lifted both hands.
“I'm not here to fight.”
“Then why are you here?”
The man looked directly at Evelyn.
“To warn her.”
“About what?” Evelyn asked.
The old man swallowed.
“The King has ordered the royal army to search every territory.”
Evelyn's heart sank.
“For me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
The man's eyes shifted toward Kael.
“Because someone told the King that the last female Alpha has awakened.”
Kael's expression hardened.
“And what else?”
The old man lowered his voice.
“They told him that Evelyn is coming for the throne.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“I don't want the throne.”
The old man gave her a sad look.
“That doesn't matter anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because the throne has chosen you.”
Silence filled the passage.
Then the old man reached into his robe and pulled out a sealed royal document.
“The King has summoned you.”
Evelyn stared at it.
“Why would I go?”
The old man looked frightened.
“Because if you refuse…”
He paused.
“The King will declare you an enemy of the crown.”
Evelyn looked at Kael.
His expression told her everything.
This was no longer a fight she could escape by running.
She took the document.
Then she broke the seal.
Her eyes moved across the royal decree.
At the bottom was the King's signature.
But beneath it was another name.
A name Evelyn recognized from her father's letter.
Her blood ran cold.
“Kael…”
“What?”
She handed him the document.
He read the name.
His face changed.
“The councilor…”
Evelyn nodded slowly.
“The traitor is still alive.”
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