Chapter 81

I awaken the next morning with a plan in mind. I need to conduct another search on the Chantarelle estate as soon as possible. It doesn’t matter what Kaine said.

Now that Bianca knows that I’m pregnant I don’t have the luxury of waiting around for his approval or trying to come up with a way to convince him. I need to act now.

I am the acting Captain of the Guard. I have pull. I don’t need Kaine’s permission for every move I make.

If he can’t see that we have gotten everything we can out of those old records and realize that it is time to take action, it doesn’t matter. I will do things my way.

I think of my time at the palace and who I can trust. I think of people who never cared that I am a woman, and those who never grumbled or gossiped about me and Kaine and write them down.

I take that list and narrow it further thinking back to my conversations and camaraderie with each number. I cross out a few names and add a few others.

I will only have one chance of getting this ambush right. My selections need to be perfect.

I feel regretful as I cross out Jake’s name. He would be an incredible asset, but he would tell Kaine what I am planning.

Once my list is finalized, I set about the task of discreetly informing the team that they are to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. I won’t tell them the exact details of the mission until we are on the road. I can’t take the risk of them telling the wrong person what I am up to.

When that is done, I pack and plan. I draw up a detailed map of the estate and then make copies for everyone coming on the mission. When that’s done, I start on the briefings.

I can’t afford to let a single thing go wrong. I will do this last thing for Kaine, ensure that whatever sabotage the Queen and Lady Chantarelle are planning is squashed and then I will disappear from the palace forever.

I wait only two days before informing my team that it is time to go. There is no time to waste.

I whole journey a nervous wreck, but I keep it together for the sake of my team, answering any questions or concerns that they have until they are as familiar with the plan as I am. Once that’s done, we wait.

We arrive at the estate at around 4 o'clock in the morning while everyone is still asleep. I send one pair to barge right up to the front door and then two more around the side. Head towards the back on my own.

As I sneak around, I hear whoever answered the main door arguing with my guards.

“It is early. We have nothing to hide, but surely this search can wait. The women here are not yet dressed; it would be improper.”

I shake my head. They are hiding something. I continue making my way around the house until I reach the back.

I start toward the door, ready to force my way in if necessary, when I see movement along the path to my right.

I see a man who appears to be hastily dressed hurrying off the property. My heart thumps in my chest. Could it be?

My voice is strong when I call out. “Stop. This property and its residents are subject to mandatory search. This order comes from the Captain of the Royal Guard. If you will not comply you will be in direct violation of the Royal Guard.”

The man freezes as he looks at me and then back down the path. He runs.

I pursue, catching up to the older man easily. When I get closer, I look at his face and find myself staring into the same startling blue eyes that I had seen on Lady Chantarelle herself. I found her father.

I apprehend the former lord and find that the house staff is much more compliant now that I’ve made the arrest.

He is not only guilty of bribing officials and tampering with documents to keep the property within his power, but he is also guilty of violating his exile. We have enough to arrest him, but what’s more we have enough to warrant use of Alpha power to question him.

If he had conspired with the queen to murder Kaine’s mother, and I’m sure he had, it would come to light. I did it. I’ve helped Kaine the best way I can.

There is a lightness in my heart as I return to the palace. Kaine will still have an uphill battle for his reputation, but with this taken care the Queen will no longer be around to dispute his claim to the throne.

Kaine meets us at the doors to the palace. I brace myself for a slight rebuke but know that once he’s realized what I discovered he’ll forgive me. Not only will this remove the main threat to him remaining heir, but it will hopefully also provide some closure over what happened to his mother.

I take a deep breath preparing to explain but he speaks before I can get the words out.

“Where have you been? I never authorized you or any of the key members of the guard you felt free to take to leave the Palace.”

I keep my head held high. “The Chantarelle estate. You were dragging your feet. I did what needed to be done.”

Kaine looks shocked. “I told you no, Ember.”

“I am the Captain of the Guard I have the authority to authorize my own missions. Besides, we found the former Lord. This is it, Kaine. It’s almost over.”

I look into his eyes hoping to see excitement there, but to my surprise his expression darkens.

He raises his voice when he speaks again. “I told you no! That was enough not to do it! It doesn’t matter if you are allowed to authorize missions under other circumstances! You ignored a direct order from your superior, your PRINCE!”

He’s yelling by the end of it. My face heats and I look down. I hear footsteps as the rest of my team begins to scatter.

The man keeping track of the former lord pauses. “I’ll take him to a cell, Captain.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

I blink, trying to keep my tears at bay but I lift my gaze. “I’m sorry, but I did this for you. I finally got the evidence we need.”

Kaine’s voice lowers, but his tone isn’t any less harsh when he responds. “No, Ember you did this for you.”

My heart plummets at his words. I know I went behind his back, but it was worth it. Why can’t he see that it was worth it?

I remain silent as the dam breaks and tears begin to stream down my face.

Kaine continues, “You have no idea why I wanted to wait, but you proceeded anyway, behind my back. I knew it. I knew I couldn’t trust you. You are exactly like everyone else.”