Elara's POV

I stood behind the pillars of the east corridor. I kept my body hidden in the deep shadows. 

I saw Sophie leave the quarters of Queen Mother Isolde. She walked with a look of relief. Her head was high. 

Alaric followed her after a few moments. His face was a mask of suspicion. He did not look at the servants. He did not look at the guards. He looked like a man hunting a predator.

What is going on? I asked myself. My chest felt tight. Sophie was supposed to be executed today. The three day deadline was a death sentence. 

I expected to hear the sound of the iron bell. Signaling a death. Instead, I see the Chef walking free. And the King acting as her shield. I do not know what is happening in this kingdom anymore.

Alaric has cut me off. He no longer shares his plans. He no longer seeks my counsel. He moves in silence. 

I am the lead consort, but I feel like a prisoner in this palace. 

I rushed back to my chamber. I slammed the door behind me. Morgana stood by the window. She saw my agitation.

"What is going on?" I asked Morgana.

"I do not know, My Lady." Morgana replied. She lowered her head.

"The Alpha King moves in silence now. No one knows his next move. Not even the elite guards. He gives orders in private."

"Who talks to him?" I asked. 

I paced the floor. The silk of my dress hissed against the floor.

"The only person who knows everything should be Cassian." Morgana said. 

"And I know you are not on good terms with him."

I looked at Morgana. My heart raced. I felt a cold sweat on my palms. I am now powerless in my own kingdom.

This Sophie girl has made me a ghost. I have spent years building my influence. Now it is gone because of a girl who cooks.

"Now I have to stoop so low to talk to Cassian." I said. 

"I have to ask that jester for information."

"It seems like that is our only option, My Lady." Morgana said.

"Go." I commanded. 

"Go call Cassian. Tell him I request his presence."

Morgana left the room. I sat on my bed. I looked at the velvet curtains. I am no longer the woman Alaric cannot do without. I used to be his first thought in the morning. Now he does not care if I exist. I am invisible.

The door opened after a long wait. Cassian walked in. He had a smirk on his face. He leaned against the doorframe. He did not bow.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of visiting the most important consort of the Blackwood Kingdom?" Cassian asked.

"Spare me the pleasantries, Cassian." I roared.

"Why do you look so pained, Lady Elara?" Cassian asked. He walked further into the room.

"Did I tell you I am pained?" I asked him. 

I stood up to face him. I didn't show any emotion. 

"You look so." Cassian challenged. 

He let out an annoying laugh. It echoed in the room. 

"Or are you disturbed that your bed is now cold all night? Is the King too busy for your charms?"

I felt my face turn hot. I ignored his insult. I had to get the truth. 

"I only called you here to know what is happening in this kingdom." I replied.

"What exactly do you want to know?" Cassian asked.

"What happened to Prince Daemon?" I asked. 

"And why does Alaric now prefer the ghost chef to me?"

"Well, Prince Daemon is fine and well." Cassian said. He shrugged his shoulders. 

"You do not expect him to be sick, do you?"

"I am just asking because I have seen Alaric visit there frequently." I replied.

"Then how do you conclude he was there to visit Prince Daemon?" Cassian asked.

"People talk, Cassian." I said. 

"I hear the whispers in the halls."

"Well, I do not know what you have heard." Cassian said. He walked toward the door. 

"Prince Daemon is fine and well. For the second question, you would have to ask Alaric yourself. He is the one making the choices."

"Why did I even send for you?" I snapped. 

"I know you would have no useful information for me. You are just his shadow."

"Then all the best, Lady Elara." Cassian said. 

Mockery dripped from his voice. He laughed. And he left the room.

I grabbed a glass vase from the table. I threw it against the door. It shattered into a thousand pieces. 

"I should not have called this idiot!" I shouted.

"Sorry, My Lady." Morgana whispered.

"Sorry for yourself!" I yelled at her. 

"Get out! You too!"

Morgana fled. I sat in the silence of my room. I was losing. I could feel the crown slipping away. I could not let this happen. I had to see Grand Prince Magnus. He is the only one who can help me.

I grabbed my heavy coat. I put it on. I pulled the hood over my head to hide my face. 

I headed for the secretariat of Grand Prince Magnus. I moved through the side passages. I reached his door. Magnus sat by his fireplace. He held a cup of wine.

"You are the person I was hoping to see." Magnus said. He did not look surprised.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I thought you said no one would find out about what we did." Magnus asked. He looked at me with red eyes.

"Yes." I replied. I felt a wave of shock.

"There was supposed to be no trace. It was not a poison. It was a reaction."

"Well, Alaric was here. He just left my place not long ago." Magnus said. 

"He asked why a new ingredient was added to Prince Daemon's medication. He was very specific."

"Alaric is not that attentive." I said. I shook my head. 

"He does not know medicine."

"Well, he is getting attentive, little viper." Magnus said. 

"I believe that ghost chef found out about the ingredient. Now they have given Daemon an antidote. He is well."

I opened my mouth in surprise. My plan had failed. "So that is why she is still breathing." 

"Yes." Magnus replied. 

"I had to save our image. I supply the medication. Alaric was already suspecting me. I had to give him a name."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"I told him the royal physician was the one who delivered the medication." Magnus said.

"What?" I asked. I felt my heart drop into my stomach. 

"How is that saving our image? You gave him a trail to follow."

"Well, it gives you time to handle the situation." Magnus said. He took another drink of wine.

"You already sold us out." I said.

"Yes, the physician added the squirrel droppings." Magnus said. 

"But I gave them to her. Alaric is looking for her now." I cut him short.

The room was quiet for a moment.

"Are you saying I should kill the royal physician?" I asked.

"You have to do anything to stay at the top, little viper." Magnus said.

He let out a drunken laugh. I looked at him. He was a fool. But he was right. 

I had to silence the physician before Thomas or Cassian found her. If she talked, Alaric would have evidence against me. I have to save myself from this destruction.

I left the secretariat. My mind worked fast. 

I needed a plan to reach the physician first. I had to act before dawn.

Thomas POV

I moved through the palace gates before the moon reached its peak. The Alpha had given his order. I had to find the royal physician.

My job as a man of secrets is to find what stays hidden. I ran toward the physician's residence on the edge of the palace grounds.

I reached the small stone house. The door stood open. This was the first sign of guilt. I stepped inside. The air smelled of panic.

I saw her trunk open. Her clothes lay scattered on the floor. I touched the wick of a candle on the table. It was still warm. She had left less than an hour ago.

I stepped back outside. I knelt on the soft earth near the door. I saw the trail immediately. Her footsteps were deep in the mud. She was carrying a heavy load. She was running toward the northern forest.

I followed the trail into the trees. I did not use a lantern. I used my eyes and the moonlight. I am a predator. I do not need fire to see my prey.

The forest grew thick. The ground became rocky. I lost the footprints for a moment. I stopped. I closed my eyes. I listened.

I breathed through my mouth to stay silent. I watched two figures in a small clearing. One was the physician. The other was Morgana.

Morgana is the trusted maid of Lady Elara.

"Thank you for coming." Morgana said.

She held a dark cloak.

"Thank you for agreeing to flee the palace. It is the only way you can be safe."

"I will do anything to save my family." The physician said.

She was crying. Her voice shook.

"I understand." Morgana said.

She stepped closer. She reached into her hair.

"But the master does not like loose ends."

I saw the flash of metal. Morgana pulled a long silver hairpin from her head. It was sharp. She aimed for the neck of the physician.

I picked up a stone from the ground. I threw it with all my strength. The stone hit the hand of Morgana. She cried out. The pin fell into the grass.

I stepped out from behind the tree.

"The Alpha wants a word with both of you." I said.

Morgana did not run. She turned toward me. She reached for a dagger hidden in her belt. She lunged. She was fast. She moved like a snake.

I stepped to the left. I blocked her arm. We fought in the dirt. She tried to claw at my eyes. I grabbed her wrist. I twisted it. She kicked my shin. I did not let go. I saw an opening. I hit her on the side of the neck with the edge of my hand.

Morgana went limp. She fainted. I did not waste time. I took a rope from my waist. I tied her to the tree.

I turned to the physician. The woman sat on the floor. She was hyperventilating.

"Who is behind all this?" I asked.

I stood over her.

"I did not do it!" The physician cried.

"They made me do it. They threatened my family."

"Who?" I asked again.

I leaned down.

"Give me a name."

"They were many." She whispered.

"Not just one person. It's a circle. It goes deep into the court."

"Mention their names." I commanded.

She opened her mouth. She was about to speak.

A sharp sound sliced through the air.

Twhip!

It was the whistle of an arrow. The physician jerked.

A black arrow buried itself in her neck. Her eyes went wide. She slumped to the ground. She died before she could say a single word.

I stood up. I looked into the dark trees. I saw a shadow move. I ran after the killer. I jumped over logs. I pushed through thorns.

The person was fast. The person knew the forest than I do. I reached a rocky place. I stopped. The trail was cold. I lost the killer.

I walked back to where Morgana is tied.

My heart felt heavy. I looked at the dead physician. I looked at Morgana. She was still tied to the tree.

Since she was here to kill the witness, she must know the names.

I untied her from the tree. Tied her hands behind her back. I dragged her toward the palace. She woke up halfway there. She struggled. I did not stop. I pulled her through the mud.

We reached the palace gates. Cassian was waiting with a squad of guards. He held a torch. He saw me dragging Morgana.

"Is this not the trusted maid of Elara?" Cassian asked.

"Yes." I said.

"What does she have to do with this?" Cassian asked.

"I would not know until the suspect tells us who sent her." I replied.

I took Morgana to the palace prison. The walls were cold. I threw her into a cell. I locked the iron door.

I went to the Alpha chamber. Alaric sat by the fire. He looked at me. He saw the blood on my tunic.

He stood up slowly. His golden eyes glowed. The air became heavy.

"Thomas." Alaric said.

His voice a low growl.

"Tell me you have the physician."

"I have bad news, Alpha." I said. I bowed low.

"The physician is dead."

Alaric slammed his fist into the stone mantel. The rock cracked under his strength.

"How?" He roared.

"I found her in the forest." I said.

"Morgana was there. She was trying to kill the physician with a silver pin. I intervened. I fought Morgana. I knocked her out. I tried to question the physician."

"And the names?" Alaric asked.

He stepped closer. I could feel the heat in his rage.

"She said there were many." I replied.

"I told her to give me names. Just as she opened her mouth, an arrow came from the dark. It hit her in the throat. She died instantly. I chased the archer, but they were too fast."

Alaric turned away. He grabbed a glass decanter. He shattered it against the wall.

He was shaking with fury.

"They are killing my witnesses!" Alaric screamed.

"They are trying to cover their tracks because they know I am close! They touched the woman I love. They tried to frame Sophie for a murder they planned. They thought they could execute her while I was weak!"

"I have Morgana in the cell, Alpha." I said.

Alaric turned back to me. His face was a mask of cold death.

"Morgana is Elara's shadow." He said.

"If Morgana is there, Elara is behind the curtain. They targeted Sophie because she brings me peace. They targeted my brother to destroy me."

"What shall I do with Morgana tonight?" I asked.

Alaric gripped the edge of his table. The wood groaned.

"Torture her." He commanded.

"Torture her! Until she says the truth. I do not care if she screams. We must get the names. If she refuses to speak by morning, prepare the execution square. I will execute her tomorrow in front of everyone."

"She is a high servant, Alpha." I reminded him.

"The court will watch."

"Good." Alaric said.

His voice was a terrifying calm.

"Let them watch. I want every person in that circle to see her die. I will make her speak, Thomas. If she does not give me the names of those who frameed Sophie, she will be the first of many to fall. Prepare the square. Tomorrow, the blood will flow until the truth is washed clean."

I bowed. I left the room.

The Alpha was no longer just a King. He was a monster hunting for justice.

Elara POV

I paced the floor of my chamber. My silk skirts hissed against the cold stone.

I heard the whispers through the heavy oak door. The servants were talking. They said Thomas caught Morgana in the northern forest. They said the royal physician was dead.

"A simple job I could do in the blink of an eye." I hissed to the empty room.

"This stupid girl got caught doing it."

I gripped the back of a chair. My knuckles turned white. I hope the whispers I hear are not true. If Thomas has Morgana, the thread leads directly to me. This stupid girl wants to destroy me.

I do not tolerate failure. Morgana was my shadow. Now she has become a noose around my neck.

I walked to the center of my chamber. I stopped in front of my mirror. My face looked pale. My hands trembled. I tried to smooth my hair. I needed to appear calm. I needed to maintain my mask.

If the rumors are true, my life is in danger. Alaric is no longer the man I controlled. He is a hunter.

The heavy doors to my chamber flew open. The wood hit the stone wall with a loud crack.

Alaric stood there. He did not wear his crown. His golden eyes glowed with rage.

"Alaric." I said. I tried to make my voice soft.

"You look tired. What has happened?”

I did not move. I did not show fear.

He did not speak at first. He walked toward me. Every step was a threat. He stopped an inch from where I stood.

"Where is your maid, Elara?" Alaric asked.

His voice was dangerously low.

"I do not know where she is." I said.

I met his gaze. I did not blink.

Alaric grabbed my wrist. His grip was firm. I gasped.

"Don’t you dare lie to me." Alaric roared.

"Thomas caught her. She was trying to kill the physician. She was trying to bury the truth in the dirt."

"I know nothing about it." I sobbed.

I looked into his eyes with innocence.

"Why would Morgana do such a thing? Someone must have tricked her." I lied.

He leaned closer. I could feel his breath on my skin.

"Your tears are useless now." He said. "The game is over Elara.”

I forced my hand out of his grip.

"You have been accusing me without evidence for days." I said.

I smoothed my dress.

"You blame me for everything that goes wrong in your kingdom. It is beneath you, Alaric. You are chasing ghosts because you cannot control your own kingdom."

He looked at me. His eyes widened. I felt the rage radiating off his skin.

"The evidence is in a prison cell." He said.

His voice was a terrifying whisper.

"Thomas is beginning the interrogation. When Morgana speaks, you will be brought to book. You will be exposed in front of the entire kingdom."

“I am leaving now to watch your shadow bleed. Enjoy your last night of freedom." Alaric added.

He pushed past me. He walked out of the chamber. He did not look back.

I stood there in the silence. I had to act. If Morgana talks, I die. I cannot let them torture the truth out of her.

I waited till it was dark.

I grabbed a dark cloak. I pulled the hood over my head. I took a small leather bag. It is full of gold coins. I moved through the secret passages. I reached the palace prison.

A guard stood at the gate. I stepped out of the shadows. I did not say a word. I held out the bag of coins. The coins cling.

"I was never here." I said.

The guard took the bag. He tucked it into his belt. He nodded once.

"I understand, my Lady." The guard said.

He turned the heavy key. He let me into the cell block. The air was damp. It smelled of blood.

I walked past the empty cells. I reached the end. I saw Morgana. Her hands were chained together. A wood was placed on her neck. Her face was bruised. It was swollen.

"My Lady." Morgana said faintly.

Her voice was a dry rasp.

"Oh, my love." I said.

I rushed to her where she was. I knelt down in the straw.

"Look what they have done to you."

"They have tortured me." Morgana whispered.

She coughed.

"But I did not say anything. I can never betray you."

"I know you would never betray me." I said.

I brought out a small bowl of water. I had hid it in my cloak.

"Take. Drink. You look thirsty."

I held the bowl to her lips. She drank greedily. She did not see my other hand.

I reached into the pocket of my cloak. I removed one of Morgana's silver hairpins. It took it from her dresser. It was long and sharp.

"Thank you, My Lady." Morgana said.

She finished the water.

"It is alright, My love." I said.

I leaned in close. I pressed my cheek against hers.

"I will get you out of here. I promise."

“Will you get me out of here tonight?” Morgana asked.

“Yes I will. I can't watch you suffer. I can't let them torture you like this.” I replied.

"Thank you My Lady. I will be forever loyal to you." Morgana said.

I gestured to hug her. I smoothed her matted hair.

I found a soft spot on her neck. I drove the silver pin deep into her throat. Morgana stiffened. Her eyes flew open. She tried to breathe, but her lungs filled with blood.

"M...my l...ady." She whispered. Those were her last words.

The light left her eyes. I pulled the pin out. I took her cold hand. I placed the hairpin in her palm. I closed her fingers around the metal. It looked like suicide. It looked like she chose death over the Alpha's questions.

"I am sorry." I said to the corpse.

"This is the only way I can get you out of here."

I walked out of the cell. I did not look back. I signaled to the guard. He locked the gate.

I moved back through the shadows toward my chamber. My hands were clean. The witness was gone. I have survived the night.