Chapter 52

Kaine

The Queen summons me just after sunrise. Her guards are already stationed outside her private audience room by the time I arrive. They step aside without a word and I enter alone.

She’s seated at the head of the room, a long line of morning light falling across the polished floor. Her expression is smooth, pleasant even.

“There’s unrest outside the capital,” she says. “More than usual.”

I wait. She doesn’t pause for my response.

“The border attacks have stirred rumors,” she continues. “People think we’re hiding. That the royal family is growing weak behind its gates.”

She looks up then, meeting my eyes.

“That is not the image we will allow.”

I don’t speak. Not yet.

“You will lead a mission to the southern border. Investigate the rogue wolf activity. Quell whatever trouble has begun to rise. Make it clear that the crown is not passive.”

She’s trying to hide her intentions under honor, but I recognize what this is, a punishment. This is her response to my refusal to use Alpha power on Ember. The Queen had dismissed Ember after their meeting, but she hadn’t forgotten.

“I’m still overseeing the palace investigation,” I say. “Several matters are unresolved.”

She waves a hand lightly. “The investigation can wait. This cannot.”

“Father-”

“Has already signed off,” she says. “The orders are final.”

There’s nothing else to say.

I leave the audience room with a date set and no room to challenge it. I spend the next hours in my office, reviewing border reports, recent scout logs, and the territory maps we keep updated by the week.

The mission itself is real. The threat is credible. That’s what makes this harder.

I can't claim the Queen invented it out of malice, but I know it was chosen to send a message. She is punishing me for my disobedience. I wonder if she expects I’ll fail.

I draft the list of guards I’ll bring. I make my choices carefully, preferring those who are experienced and sharp. I hesitate when I reach her name. Ember.

She’s new but her record is beginning to speak for itself. She’s also proved that she can handle herself under pressure. Still, I hesitate.

I picture her on the field, hurt. I picture the wrong hands getting near her. My jaw clenches. I don’t add her name.

She deserves to know that she was right, that I am to leave with the next deployment. I send for her.

When she enters, she’s composed. Her expression gives nothing away, but I can feel her eyes watching everything. Every detail of the room, every twitch in my posture. I try not to let it show.

“There’s been a directive,” I say. “I’ve been assigned to lead a field mission. We’re leaving in two days.”

She nods once. “Understood. What’s the objective?”

“Southern border. Rogue activity.” I hesitate. “You won’t be joining.”

She blinks. “Why?”

I set the paper down. “It’s not a standard operation. There’s been instability in the region. This isn’t a controlled patrol.”

“I didn’t ask if it was.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m a trained palace guard,” she says evenly. “This is my duty. If you’re taking guards, I should be among them.”

“I’m not questioning your ability,” I say. “I’m making a call to minimize risk.”

“Then minimize it across the board,” she replies. “Don’t just remove the only female from the list and call it strategic.”

I look up at her. Her jaw is tense but she meets my gaze, steady, professional. Still I can feel the disappointment radiating off of her.

“This isn’t personal,” I say, quieter now.

“It feels personal.”

I exhale. “You’ve proven yourself. Again and again. That’s not the issue.”

“Then what is?”

I don’t have an answer I can say aloud. There is nothing I can put into words that would sound fair, or appropriate.

“I’ve read the reports,” she goes on. “I know what we’re dealing with. If it’s a real threat, then you need every capable guard with you. Leaving me behind doesn’t make us stronger.”

I rub a hand along the desk, stalling for time. She has a point and she knows it. She waits.

Her voice softens just slightly. “I’ve worked hard to be here. I know you know that. I’m not asking for special treatment. I’m asking for equal ground.”

She’s right, and I know it. I nod, finally. “You’ll receive your orders by tomorrow.”

She gives a short nod. “Thank you.” She turns and walks out without another word.

I sit back in my chair. The list remains in front of me, names and ranks and previous posts. I cross her name out and rewrite it at the top of the other list.

Ember

I return to my office after the meeting, jaw tight. It isn’t the danger that bothers me. It’s the way he avoided my eyes when he said I wouldn’t be going.

He acted like he didn’t trust me to handle myself or like I was something delicate, not the first female guard to stand where I stand. It felt like being pushed aside. Like every hour I’ve spent proving myself didn’t matter.

“He’s trying to protect you,” Nara murmurs.

He shouldn’t.

“You don’t really believe that.”

I don’t answer her.

I organize the files on my desk and start reviewing the newest guard reports. My hand moves steadily, but I don’t register most of what I read. I keep thinking about the way he hesitated.

He knows what I can do. He’s seen it firsthand, but he still wanted to keep me behind, and not for optics. This was personal. It felt like he’d already made peace with walking into something dangerous, and leaving me behind.

I wonder if he expected me not to challenge him. If part of him thought I’d understand and stay silent. Maybe he expected gratitude.

Instead, I reminded him of who I am. A soldier. My safety is not his responsibility.

By late afternoon, I’m preparing for a walk when I hear footsteps behind me.

“Heading out?” Jasper’s voice.

I hesitate and he falls into step beside me.

“Just needed air,” I say.

He nods. “You going on the mission?”

“Yes.”

A pause.

“Is he worth it?” he asks. “Kaine.”

I glance at him.

“I’m not trying to start anything,” he adds quickly. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt for someone who may not protect you the way you’d protect him.”

“I protect the kingdom,” I say. “This mission is about that.”

He watches me for a second, then nods once. “I believe you.”

He doesn’t say anything else. He walks back the way he came, and I keep going, deeper into the hallway.

The castle windows are tinted gold with the setting sun. I pause near the landing and look out over the courtyard. The guards moving below seem smaller from up here. Distant.

I know what I’ll need to bring. What I’ll need to prepare. My gear will be checked, my blades sharpened. I’ll organize the satchels tonight and finalize the paperwork in the morning.

My thoughts are a bit harder to arrange. Prince Kaine hadn’t just tried to shield me. He’d nearly erased me from the field.

Part of me wonders if it’s because he still thinks I don’t belong there, or if it’s because he finally knows I do.