Chapter 93: Allegation
Chapter 93: Allegation
Killian’s POV:
Ruby lay beneath me, her chest rising and falling, her lips swollen from my relentless kisses. Her fingers tangled in my hair, her nails lightly grazing my scalp as I traced every inch of her skin, gripping her the way I always did. It made me forget all about my plan to coax her into talking about her strange behavior from a few days ago.
Hell, how did I let myself become this addicted?
I told myself this was just another night, just a stolen moment with my woman. But as I held her closer, feeling the tremors of her body against mine, I knew it was more than that. This wasn’t about the contract that had first bound us together. I was starting to stop denying it. Even if I tried, Elysian would start getting noisy in my head, and that was the last thing I wanted.
“Killian,” she whispered, pressing her palm to my cheek. The softness in her voice almost brought me back to my senses. You have to go.”
I growled in protest, burying my face in the crook of her neck. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
Ruby chuckled, a sweet, melodic sound that made my chest ache with longing. “No, but you have a duty. Your family is waiting.”
“They can wait a little longer.”
I bit down on her collarbone, savoring the way she arched toward me.
She sighed, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “If you leave now, I promise I’ll visit your room.”
That got my attention. I pulled back, searching her face for any sign of deception, but all I found was excitement in those deep ocean–blue eyes.
“You promise?” I asked.
She nodded, smiling sweetly. “Yes, Killian.”
That was all I needed. With one last lingering kiss, I forced myself to leave her warmth, dressing in record time. Ruby watched from the bed, looking far too pleased with herself. Damn, I’d walk into battle myself if it meant getting back to her sooner. Time to speed things up, she’d have her treasure soon enough.
The royal hall was already full when I arrived. My family, the council, and those I trusted most sat in their designated seats, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. I took my place at the head of the long ebony wood table, my blood–crimson eyes scanning every face before me.
The discussion began immediately.
“The reconstruction of the northern territory is nearly complete,” one of my advisors reported. “With Lucius gone, our forces have secured the borders, but there are still rogue factions that need to be dealt with.”
“I’ll send Leonidas to handle them,” I said. “We’ll burn the weeds before they have a chance to grow back.”
Another advisor, an old man with a face like cracked stone, cleared his throat. “Trade routes with the eastern islands have improved, but we’ve received reports of smuggling operations disrupting shipments.”
“Then double the patrols,” I ordered, tossing aside a half–written scroll. “Anyone caught smuggling without royal approval will be executed on the spot.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. That was always how it went. Swift and ruthless action ensured order. .Then, a voice cut through the discussion.
“Your Majesty, if I may?”
I shifted my gaze to the man who had spoken. A noble from one of the lesser families: Irwin, if I recalled correctly. He was an unremarkable man, tall and thin, the type who spent too much time indulging in rumors and wine feasts and not n enough time doing anything of value.
I gave a dismissive nod. “Speak.”
“I was simply curious,” Irwin began, his tone overly polite–too polite for my liking. “About… your relationship with the former Luna of the Winterdawn Pack.”
The room fell into silence. I stilled, my fingers tightening egotist the armrest of my chair.
“And what of it, Irwin?”
Successfully unlocked!
“Well,” he continued, shifting in his seat, “it has been a topic of discussion, hasn’t it? A widow from a disgraced pack now at our king’s side. Naturally, there are concerns.”
“How very considerate of you,” I replied, my voice low and edged with danger.
1/2
Chapter 03 Allegation
Irwin’s lips curved into something that might have been a smile if he weren’t so afraid of me.
“I only mention it because I happened to see her, walking alone in the black market district, near the shops that deal in poisonous elixirs.” He paused, letting the implication settle over the room. “It makes one wonder what business she had there.”
As the words left his mouth, the entire hall grew tense. My face remained impassive. Slowly, I rose from my seat and approached him. Irwin stiffened, his courage scattering like sand in the wind.
“You think my future queen,” I emphasized the title, watching him flinch. “is conspiring against me?”
“I–I never said that, Your Majesty,” he stammered, cold sweat trickling down his temple. “It’s just… highly suspicious.”
I tilted my head, studying him the way one might study an insect before crushing it beneath their boot.
“And yet, it is not your place to pass reckless judgment, Irwin,” I admonished.
Irwin swallowed hard. “As your loyal follower, I only have the kingdom’s safety in mind.”
All eyes were on me, waiting to see how I would respond. My blood boiled instantly. I had never tolerated anyone speaking nonsense about Ruby. And this bastard must have nine lives to dare do so.
I reached for the dagger at my waist, unsheathing it in one fluid motion. Irwin barely had time to react before I slammed the blade into the table beside his hand, its sharp tip mere inches from his trembling fingers.
“If you ever imply something like that again,” I said, my voice hard as steel, “I will carve out your tongue and feed it to the crows.”
He nodded frantically, the color draining from his face. Satisfied, I straightened, pulling the dagger free. “Now, if we’re done with baseless accusations, let’s return to matters that actually matter.”
No one dared to speak further on the subject. And yet, as I settled back into my chair, my mind drifted elsewhere. Had Ruby truly been there?
But what had she been doing in the black market?
