Chapter 82

I am numb by the time Kaine stops lecturing me about what I should and shouldn’t have done. I know that I shouldn’t have gone behind his back, but my time at the palace must come to an end and I vowed to do whatever it takes to help Kaine maintain his place as heir.

I walk back to my room in silence, wondering why I had ever believed he could trust me. I hoped that once he saw that I was right about ambushing the estate, he would be glad that I went ahead with my plan, but I see now that I was wrong.

I know that I shouldn’t be surprised given our history, but I can’t help but feel crushed under the weight of my disappointment. The countless hours I spent working on the Chantarelle investigation had been for the good of the Kingdom, for the good of Kaine, and yet, he still doesn’t believe that I have his best interests at heart.

The hours we spent working together on the investigation mean nothing if he doesn’t trust my judgement, if he doesn’t trust me. I shake my head. It doesn’t matter now.

I have delivered him the former lord. It is now up to Kaine to decide what to do with him. If he’s not too stubborn to follow through on the interrogation, I am confident that he will get what he needs to oust Lady Chantarelle and the Queen.

I push open the door to my rooms and look around. This will be the last time I can call this place my home. I take a moment to cherish the feeling of knowing that I accomplished my goals, if only for a brief period of time.

I made it to the palace as a royal guard, and more than that I had ascended to the rank of Captain. Even if I had only received the position in an interim capacity, I am proud to have held it at all. I smile, knowing that even if it’s time to go I have proven myself capable.

I sit on my bed and allow myself to feel the weight of everything that has happened over the last seven months. I allow my thoughts to drift to the night Kaine, and I solidified our bond, his body hard against mine and then about the aftermath of that night.

I think about finding the mole and about proving myself capable as a guard. I think about late nights working on the Chantarelle investigation and forming a friendship with Kaine. I think about the Captain’s attempt on my life.

As everything that happened comes flooding back to me, I let myself cry, not just a few tears, but a deep, aching, ugly cry. I let myself feel the full weight of the secrets I’ve been carrying and the exhaustion of it all. I let it all go.

Finally, when all the tears have left my body, and there’s nothing left to give, I stand and I pack.

Kaine

It takes all of my self-restraint to avoid tearing my door off its hinges when I return to my office. What was Ember thinking? She had gone behind my back to conduct an ambush on the Chantarelle estate.

Not only this, but she had done it after I had explicitly told her to wait. I clench and unclench my jaw. What if something had gone wrong while she was on the mission? What if I had needed her here at the palace.

I sit back in my chair. It is clear now that she can’t be trusted to follow my orders. It was a mistake to appoint her as interim captain.

I had been considering making the position permanent, but I see now that I was foolish. She’s capable, but too strong willed. I let our friendship overshadow my decision making

I pull out a sheet of paper and begin making a list of other high-level guards. I groan. None of the names that come to mind inspire any trust.

I consider taking over the position myself, but I know that it’s not possible with my other duties. I need to be fully present, now more than ever, with my stepmother’s scheming.

I consider giving the job to Jake, but I rule that out as well. He is my Beta, I can’t afford to have his attention divided.

There’s a quick knock on my door. I sigh but sit up straighter in my seat as I yell, “come in!”

Jake steps into the room looking a little too pleased. “I heard that the former lord Chantarelle was captured on a property within the Kingdom. Congratulations, I know that you and Ember have been working hard for this moment.”

My temper flares, but I only nod. He must not have heard about Ember’s insubordination. “I’m not sure congratulations are in order.”

“Of course they are! This is the break we’ve all been hoping for. Now that he’s in custody it’s only a matter of time before he breaks. We just need to keep this from the Queen.”

“No,” I snap, “they are not.”

Jake gives me a confused look. I sigh and run a hand over my face.

“Ember went behind my back to orchestrate this mission after I told to focus on what information we could get from the forged documents.”

Understanding dawns on Jake’s face. He pauses for a moment as if searching for the right words before speaking again. “I understand your frustration, but I have to wonder why you wanted to hold off on another visit to the estate.”

“Someone had clearly tipped them off before our last visit. That means the guard is still compromised. I deemed the mission too risky to handle with a guard that I can’t trust.”

Jake nods. “I see.”

My eyes narrow at Jake’s words. I know that tone. “What?”

“It’s only… Ember’s mission was successful, yes? I haven’t been misinformed about the Chantarelle arrest, have I?”

My fists clench under the desk, but I shake my head. “As far as I’m aware everything went according to plan.”

“Then I assume she had a plan to avoid sabotage. I think she was right, and you didn’t want to hear her out. The mission was ultimately worth it.”

A low warning growl escapes my lips. Jake might be my Beta and my best friend, but he is getting too bold.

Jake holds up his hands in acknowledgement of my warning and backs up toward the door. “I’m just saying don’t let your paranoia sabotage your success. I trust that Ember knew what she was doing.”

With that Jake exits the room.