Chapter 70

Charles

Asher walked me down the hall to Amy's room. The guard knocked and opened the door. Though plain, her room was markedly different from the one where I had just spoken with Devin. There was a warmth to it, a subtle comfort that came from the softly crackling fire in the hearth and the contented expression on Amy's face. She sat in a well-worn chair, her hand resting gently on her swollen belly.

As I entered, Amy's eyes met mine, and she tried to stand and bow. I reached her and placed a hand on her shoulder, keeping her in her seat.

"Sit. This is a family visit."

"A-As you wish, Your Majesty."

I sat on the low cushion beside her and the fire.

"It's good to see you in good health," I said. "You're positively radiant, Amy."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," she smiled sweetly and rubbed her stomach. "I've been told that I'm having twins."

"Congratulations," I said, grinning. "You'll have your hands full when they get older if they're anything like their father."

She gave me a thin smile. "I... hope not."

She bit her lip. "Though I... I mean..."

"You meant what you said, Amy. What's happened?"

She looked down, clearly conflicted. "I... well, I'm not sure if he's telling me the truth."

I nodded. "That's understandable. I was hoping I could speak with you frankly about your relationship with Devin, but first, I want you to know that I meant what I said at the Apex."

I took her hand. "You are family, and while you are staying here, it will only be a short time."

I smiled. "You'll be at the palace quite soon, I should think if everything goes well."

She blinked and nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty. For your kindness..."

"Will you tell me why you think Devin isn't telling you the truth? The truth about what?"

Amy worried her lip, stroking her stomach carefully.

"I don't think he knows how to manage money," she said. "Or... maybe he just doesn't want to? I suppose having you as a father, he didn't really need to."

She blushed and looked up at me nervously. "Not that I--"

"You meant what you said, and I'm not offended. It's not that I didn't teach him, I assure you."

She nodded. Another knock sounded on the door. George entered with the basket and bags I'd brought for her. She blushed as George put them on the table with a grin and left.

She looked at the table with wide eyes, staring at the packages.

"This is for you," I gestured to the bag. "Remedies I know are helpful as you get further along, things to keep you healthy. I wasn't sure what you liked clothing-wise, so I had George pick up a bit of everything. Snacks..."

I went through everything I'd brought, but Amy wasn't looking at the table anymore. She was looking at me with the saddest, most hopeful, most confused eyes I had ever seen. My gut clenched.

The niggling feeling at the back of my mind since I met Amy turned sharp.

"Amy, I'd like to know more about you," I began. "Where are you from? How did you and Devin meet?"

She shifted in her chair, a blank expression on her face. "I grew up in a small town on the outskirts of our territory. It's a peaceful place, and I had a happy childhood there..."

The words were so brittle they shattered in the air.

Lies.

"You're a terrible liar," I said, watching her expression. "Why don't you tell me the truth and save us both the trouble."

Her jaw trembled, and her eyes filled with tears. Then, she told me the truth. Her childhood had been rough from the beginning. She was actually an orphan who had been picked up by a better family who originally planned to have her be a breeder for the family under the guise of marrying one of their sons.

My grandfather had outlawed such things ages ago, and based on what I assumed her age to be, she would have been too young even if it had been legal. While they were waiting for her to be legal enough to marry with parental consent, they'd made her work around the house as a servant.

"How did you meet Devin?"

She smiled vividly. "I was helping at a stall, and he was visiting... It was just like all the books said it would feel like. We saw each other every day he was there, and when it was time for him to leave, he took me with him."

My eyes widened. "To where?"

"Blackwoods," she said. "I was living there while he went to college. Then, I got pregnant earlier this year, and he said it was a good time for us to marry. "

I swallowed, realizing that Devin had been in contact with Amy far longer than I thought. By the moon, when would it end?

"I was worried when I heard him talking on the phone about the Choosing; he sounded nervous, but he said it was nothing, and then we went to have that press conference..."

I frowned. "The Choosing? Are you sure that's what you heard?"

She nodded. "Is it familiar to you?"

A little too familiar.

"Yes, and it's not something that Devin would have had to deal with. The Choosing is when a lycan king is required to take a wife and queen by majority vote, and each clan can put forth a candidate."

Her eyes widened slightly. "How would that work? I thought you said you were going to marry that woman you were having lunch with?"

She worried her lip. "Is she... really his ex-wife?"

"Yes."

"I-I knew you wouldn't lie to me, I just... the shock. I can't believe..."

She whimpered and sniffled. "I didn't... I didn't know. I didn't."

"I know," I said gently. "I hold no ill will towards you."

"A-And the queen?"

I smiled, imagining Grace wearing that crown and standing at my side.

"Grace will hold no ill will towards you either. You are not complicit in Devin's actions."

She sniffled. "I-It feels so cruel... After everything... to have an oath-breaker as a mate."

Her lips trembled. "A-And what about his oaths to me?"

She dabbed at her eyes. "I don't know what to think."

I stood and sat on the edge of her chair, pulling her into my arms as she cried and clung to me. "You have nothing to fear, Amy. You are a Blackwoods in all but name and soon-to-be blood, you understand?"

She trembled and nodded, but she smelled so heavily of fear. I rubbed her back and rocked her as a sense of unease settled in my chest. The Choosing was far more than a mere marriage arrangement. It was a political maneuver that could have far-reaching consequences, and I'd be hard-pressed to fight against it if I didn't start putting things in place. There were only a handful of chiefs with unmarried daughters. Tessa was one of those daughters, and her father knew it.

I could imagine that this was probably orchestrated by him.

I wonder if he knew that Tessa had made sure she'd never have children. I'd have to get George to find out.

"Your Majesty?" I looked down at her as she looked up at me. "Are you... I mean, when the children are born. W-Would you be here?"

My eyes widened, surprised at the request. She flushed. "I understand that you'll be busy, but I--"

"I would be honored," I said, wiping her tears away. "Just tell me when."

She nodded gratefully and buried her face in my chest again, purring against me and relaxing as if she had walked miles just to find peace and safety in my arms.

"Perhaps the Will of the Moon did not give you an oath-breaker as a mate," I tipped her head up to meet her eyes. "But a place of safety and a father who would rather take a thousand challenges than try to sell you."

She smiled up at me. "I'd like that a lot."

I nodded. "Me too."

Eventually, I got Amy into bed to actually rest and tucked her in. On a whim, I left my jacket with her. She sighed and cuddled it close as if it would protect her even in her sleep.

Then, I left the room before my anger got the better of me. Asher was there again.

"You look even more pissed off."

"If anyone from Greenvalley come looking for her, they aren't to see her." I narrowed my eyes. "I'll assign a rotating unit to apprehend them for questioning."

His eyes widened, and he nodded. "My jail cells are open to you, Your Majesty. Freshly redone too, and vicious."

I grinned. "Thank you."

Asher walked me to the door as George pulled the car up, and I turned back to him.

"I have a feeling that the connection you want will be closer than you think."

He frowned. "Why?"

"Because the Elders can't be trusted."

Asher narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to need that explanation and drink before I consider it."

I smiled and nodded. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Whenever you want." I paused. "I'll bring you pictures."

His eyes lit up, and I had a feeling that I was going to wind myself one hell of an ally in the days to come.