The Council's Judgement
1117 Words
Aria's POV:
Kael turned towards the warrior just as I barely had time to get my breath back.
"Tell the council they should wait."
The little Lycan bowed his head.
"I am afraid they won't agree to that, Your Majesty," the young Lycan responded and Kael's golden eyes turned black. "They're already assembling in the Great Hall."
The room fell silent. I looked from Kael to the warrior, my stomach twisting into knots.
"Maybe..." I started with caution. "Perhaps I should meet them."
Both men looked at me. Kael's expression was not readable.
"No." He said.
"Still, what if they're here for me—"
"They are not here because of you," he said and paused. "They are here for what you stand for."
His statements froze me.
"What do I stand for?"
Another knock came before he could respond. This time it was softer.
Dressed in a dark silver robe embellished with the Lycan crest, an elderly man came inside the room. Though he was old, his posture was exactly straight, his silvery hair touching his shoulders.
"Your Majesty," he said to Kael as he bent reverently and Kael nodded his head.
"Elder Rowan."
The old man's soft gaze landed on me. For a short while, they widened with surprise. Then, to my shock, he bowed me, but not as profoundly as he had bowed to Kael. I stepped back looking confused.
"You don't have to do that," I said to him.
He straightened up slowly, a faint smile playing across his lips.
"Please forgive me," he said in a comforting voice. "Old habits are hard to break."
"Which habits?
The old man turned to gaze Kael.
"I assume she doesn't know."
"Not at all."
Rowan let out a soft sigh.
"I suspected as much."
"Why are you here?" Kael asked as he crossed his arms.
"The council is growing impatient," Rowan responded and turned his focus back to me. "But I came to view her for myself."
I frowned.
"Why?"
The elderly man grinned softly.
"Because I wanted to find out if the stories were true."
"What kind of stories?
He paused for a while and shook his head.
"Not yet,"
I sighed in aggravation.
"Does everybody here in this castle find pleasure in riddles?"
Rowan laughed unexpectedly.
"You have the spirit of your mother."
The room grew silent. My heart skipped a beat.
"You knew my mother?"
"I did."
My throat clenched.
"What was she like?"
For the first time since I first met him, the elderly man's face displayed sorrow.
"She was quite courageous," he responded and gave a tiny smile. "Much courageous than she thought."
His speech sounded terribly familiar. Just a little while ago Kael had said something along the same lines.
"She loved profoundly." Rowan's eyes grew distant. "And she gave everything to guard someone priceless."
"Me?" I asked, my voice hardly a whisper.
The elderly man nodded. Tears stung behind my eyes. No one had ever spoken to me about my mother before. My father had always refused to. Every question had received quiet response.
"What happened to her?"
Rowan opened his mouth as he made to speak.
"Enough." Kael's voice tore through the space.
The elderly man kept quiet right away.
"I will let her know," Kael added and Rowan nodded his head.
"As you wish."
Another loud knock startled us. This one lack patience.
"Your Majesty!" A voice outside called out. "The council won't wait any longer."
Kael briefly closed his eyes. His expression had turned into the cold mask of a king when he opened them. He then turned to look at me.
"When I leave, lock the doors."
"What?"
"Don't open them for anyone other than me."
My heartbeat quickened.
"Is something going on?
"I hope not."
He turned towards Rowan.
"Stay with her," he said and the elderly man nodded.
"I understand."
Kael headed toward the door. I reached for his hand without giving it thought and he stopped. A peculiar warmth ran through my body the minute our fingertips connected.
Kael gazed down at our joined hands. Then carefully raised his gaze toward me.
"Be careful."
The words escaped from my mouth before I could stop them. The strong Lycan King just gazed at me for a second, then came a little smile.
"I always am."
He squeezed my hand once more before releasing it.
The door shut behind him. The room suddenly felt much emptier. Rowan watched me with knowing eyes.
" You're already care about him."
My cheeks flushed right away.
"I hardly know him."
"The heart occasionally knows before the brain takes it."
I instinctively turned aside.
"That's not exactly what's going on."
The elderly man refrained from argument.Rather, he approached the fireplace and stared into the flames. Many minutes went by in silence, then I let curiosity take over.
"What kind of person is Kael?" I asked and Rowan grinned.
"At twenty-one, he became king."
I blinked in surprise.
"That's young."
"Too young," he said and wore a solemn look. "He saw his parents pass away."
My heart fell.
"He lost them?" I asked and Rowan gave a nod.
"The throne demanded sacrifices."
I abruptly realized the loneliness I had noticed in Kael's eyes. Power came with a price.
Just as I started to open my mouth to ask another question, a tremendous crash emanated from deep within the castle. I froze, and so did Rowan.
Another crash ensued, and it was closer this time. Yelling started outside, followed by the clear noise of steel clashing steel.
"What was that?"
Rowan's face turned pale.
"No..."
He rushed toward the window. His expression changed instantly.
"They have gone past the outer gate."
My chest seized with terror.
"Who has?"
He looked at me.
"The castle has been attacked."
Another blast rattled the walls. Ceiling dust descended, causing me to fall backward. The bells of the castle screamed uncontrollably. Wolves outside cried in fear.
"Where is Kael?"
"At the council."
"Then we have to warn him."
Before Rowan could react, the bedroom door flew open and a Lycan guard stumbled inside, covered in blood.
"Elder..." He managed to say as he found it difficult to breathe. "They're inside."
My blood ran cold.
"Who?" I asked.
The guard looked directly at me.
"The assailants..." He replied with trembling voice. "They are searching for Lady Aria."
The room turned silent.
"They know she's here."
A dark figure emerged in the broken doorway behind the guard before anyone could react. It was a hooded assassin. His scarlet eyes locked onto mine as he walked into the room.
"There you are," he murmured softly, and wore a smile. "The King won't save you this time."
- Writer
