CHAPTER 13: Before Sunset
707 Words
Draven's POV
The council chamber fell silent the moment I entered.
Twelve Elders including my father at the head of the table.
Evelyne sat beside her father, hands folded neatly in her lap. Everyone was waiting as I remained standing.
"Speak." Elder Rowan cleared his throat.
"Your Majesty, the physicians have delivered encouraging news."
"I've heard."
"The curse reacted."
"Which means Lady Ashina may finally be the answer." Another elder leaned forward.
"Then we must begin the trials immediately. The kingdom has already waited long enough."As Murmurs of agreement spread through the chamber.
"The next full moon is approaching.If she survives the first ritual, we proceed. If she fails..." Another elder finished calmly, another she wolf will be selected." No one in the room reacted.
They spoke about replacing women the same way they spoke about replacing broken weapons as my fingers tightened against the armrest.
Elder Marcus noticed.
"Your Majesty?"
"I said she will not undergo the ritual." I yelled as Silence engulfed the chambers as one elder frowned.
"Then why bring her here?" Another added,
"The alliance with Mooncrest pack was negotiated for this very purpose.Was it not?"
"It was." Evelyn answered.
"Then fulfill it." Evelyne finally spoke as her voice was gentle and Respectful.
"So many women volunteered before Lady Ashina.They understood what was expected of them." She lowered her eyes.
"I simply fear that delaying the ritual places the kingdom at greater risk most especially your life Draven” Several elders nodded.Her father spoke next.
"My daughter is correct. You’re running out of time If Lady Ashina cannot bear this responsibility then another woman should." Another council member looked directly at me.
"Your Majesty forgive my boldness But you traded for Lady Ashina to save the kingdom.If she cannot save it, what purpose does she serve?" The room fell silent as Every eye settled on me. I answered without raising my voice.
"She is not a tool."The words landed harder than shouting ever could as One elder laughed quietly.
"No ?Then why is she here?" No one answered as evelyne looked at me carefully.
"There are whispers already. They say Your Majesty has become..." She chose her next word carefully.
"...hesitant." I met her gaze.
"They're wrong." I answered.
"Then prove them wrong and allow the ritual." Another elder added,
"The curse has already claimed enough Alpha Kings. You have just 3 more blood moons before the final cycle. We cannot afford sentiment."
He used Interesting choice of words thinking that's my weakness.
"You mistake restraint for weakness." Elder Rowan frowned.
"Then explain it." I looked around the chamber.
Slowly while meeting each pair of eyes.
"You ask me to sacrifice another innocent woman before you've even confirmed the physicians' findings." a scoff came from across the table.
"Innocent? She was purchased through an alliance. She belongs to this kingdom now."
"No." Every head turned toward me as I spoke evenly.
"She belongs to herself." The chamber erupted into whispers as evelyne's composed smile slipped for the first time only for a second. My father finally struck his cane against the floor.
"Enough." The room quieted.
"The physicians will continue their observations and Draven if you don’t make up Your mind before Sunset, We would allow the ritual without your consent” Several elders exchanged glances. The meeting was over.
As chairs scraped against the floor, people began filing out in clusters, whispering among themselves.
Near the doorway, I caught a servant waiting with a bundle of fabric swatches and a sealed invitation.
"The preparations for the Founders' Gala, Your Majesty?" I nodded once as I took the invitation.
"Have the royal tailor prepare Lady Ashina." The servant bowed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"And assign two additional guards to her quarters." The servant blinked.
"Should I inform the household my lord?"
"No. If anyone asks..." I lifted my gaze to her.
"...tell them those are my father’s orders." The servant bowed lower.
I didn’t want her to know that I f*****g care about her safety not now that I have to make up my mind before sunset.
"As you command." I turned toward the chamber doors behind me, the whispers had already started again.
This time...they weren't about the curse.
They were about Ashina.
- Writer
