Chapter 86

Valon watched them carefully waiting for Arthur to say something more. It was obvious that the man was struggling to accept what he was saying, but he was also curious about what sort of werewolf was attached to their queen. From what Kayley told him and what he remembered of Rose, she was sweet and even-tempered and much like Rose in that regard. They never met the human Rose had eloped with, but everyone had a feeling that Lily knew her daughter had never planned to return if things had been different.

Was Arthur anything like that human or like his father, Dean?

Arthur's face twisted in a feral snarl before he howled, “I don't care about any of that! I just want Daphne back!”

Valon smiled, “I was curious after seeing you two in the forest. But you love her. It's good."

Of course, Arthur loved Daphne. She was his mate. They were destined to be together. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. He regretted agreeing to let Daphne go to the vampire nation for the sake of people who betrayed their words at the first sign of trouble. Traitors deserved no protection, and as soon as she was returned to him, they would leave and never look back.

He didn’t care if that meant they went to the vampire nation or lived the rest of their days in the woods never to see anyone again. Blade, Mamie, and their son were welcome, but if they refused, he wouldn’t look back.

He had done enough considering the lives and feelings of others and it was costing him his relationship with Daphne.

The bond still hummed with life, but he got nothing from it, not even a stir of her consciousness. Seeing the vampire in front of him, his fury was boiling, barely restrained with his need to know that Daphne was okay.

He couldn’t listen to the man if he wasn’t calm and he was the only link to Daphne he had.

"Love is grand but this is vampire politics. If you jump in, there will be trouble–"

Arthur lunged at him, hoping to tackle him, but Valon dodged him and Blade before floating back up to the ledge he'd come from faster than either of them could react. It was unsettling to see him move so effortlessly, but Arthur growled and leaped after him.

Valon jumped a bit higher and shoved Arthur back in midair, sending him back towards the ground. Arthur growled at him, scanning the wall for a way to climb to him. He was impressed that Arthur had made the jump and seemed prepared to try to take Valon by force. A bit of ruthlessness and daring was necessary for war, and Nicole had been clear that war was coming though she wasn’t sure what part in the war they had to play.

"Attacking me will not help you… General Steward has asked me to be your messenger from now on to keep you aware of Daphne's condition."

"What about Osborn?"

Valon frowned, "What about him?"

"Don't play dumb,” Arthur said. “There was only one person who would have known that Daphne was staying in sharp armor and that was Owen, Osborn’s son. We never found Owen’s body. He’s with you. If you let Owen or Osbourne hurt Daphne…”

“What does This Owen look like?”

“He should be missing a hand,” Arthur said. “And he looks a bit like me with dark hair.”

Valon nodded, “I will take this information to the general and look into it. General Steward does not conspire against the crown, let alone with werewolves. We had a suspicion that one of the nobles has hired werewolves for his cause. If we find Osborn or Owen within the vampire nations, we will let you know so we can plan accordingly. For now, that is all the information I have for you.”

“Wait!” Arthur cried desperately. Valon stopped and looked down at him. Arthur hadn’t expected him to stop.

Valon normally wouldn’t have, but the desperation in Arthur’s voice had pulled something at him. If this was the man Queen Daphne loved, his loyalty to the crown compelled him to listen.

“Daphne…” Arthur paused. “When will I get to see Daphne?”

Valon blinked, “As soon as she is able.”

Arthur hated that answer, but it was clear that the man wasn’t going to give him a different answer, no matter how much he pleaded. With barely a whisper of the wind, he was gone.

Arthur's heart clenched with grief and he turned to Blade to look just as forlorn and help us as he was.

“Is there nothing we can do but sit and wait?”

Arthur shook his head, “The two weeks are almost over. If Daphne does not return with the rest of the escort, we have every reason to go to war.”

Blade gasped, “War? We've barely had time to train the wolves we have. There aren't even as many wolves available in the packs as there were two weeks ago. We have no understanding of how many forces they have and what other powers they might possess. And–”

“Are you saying you wouldn't go to war for Mamie?”

Blade drew back in shock. That wasn't what he was saying. He'd do anything for Mamie.

“I would fight until I was no longer able to move,” Blade said. “But there is such a thing as a strategy.”

“If Nicole is as trustworthy as she said and that guy believes, then she won’t stand in our way.”

“You think that'll be enough?”

“I think it's better than what we had before,” Arthur said. “Tom mentioned when she withdrew from the war, we got the upper hand. She’s their best.”

He shuddered to admit it, but the messenger she sent was powerful. It was obvious in the fact that he had no visible weapons, yet seemed so at ease with them. He was cautious with a militant awareness of the surroundings and the enemy and head of him.

Arthur turned back, “For now, we at least know part of the way there. Let's check the map and see if we can find another path into the vampire nation or a clue about where the castle is. You said there's a time for strategy, but we need to know where we're going.”

Blade nodded and followed Arthur back towards the castle taking the same secret path back into the castle.

“When we get Mamie and Daphne back, will you come with us?” Arthur asked.

“You're asking me to abandon the kingdom…”

“I’m asking you to let them figure it out the way they should have figured it out years ago.”

Blade sighed. He was torn. He had only ever been a part of Sharp Armor

“What about Rex?”

Arthur scowled, “He’s hardly been the most loyal since Daphne's lineage was revealed.”

“He took you in.”

“And I lent my strength,” Arthur looked at Blade. “Or was that not enough?”

Blade winced and looked away. He wasn't sure. It was all a mess and his heart was in chaos thinking of Mamie.

Valon considered Arthur's words as he headed back to the castle. They knew nothing of what had happened to the werewolf kingdom after the war. They had been too busy rebuilding from the devastation and mourning the loss of their royal family.

Osborn had been the general at the end of the war, the one who had slaughtered the forces under John's command while Nicole and her battalion were carrying out the queen's last request.

Had it been worth it to leave the front lines? How different things could have been if they had remained on the front lines.

When he arrived, he went to the queen's wing to find Nicole. As expected, she was in the parlor attached to Daphne's chambers.

She looked up at him, "They did not return to the kingdom, I take it."

Valon shook his head and explained Arthur and Blade’s reaction to his message. Nicole felt that they had some sense that something wrong was happening. She supposed that one of the women of the escort was the mate of the wolf that had accompanied Arthur.

It was only going to get more complicated from here.

“Still, he asked about Osborn.”

“What about him?”

“He's under the impression that Osborn and his son, Owen, are among us.”

Nicole narrowed her eyes, “Did it seem as though there was animosity between them? As I recall, Osborn was Dean's brother.”

“He didn't seem happy about the idea.”

As if this couldn't have gotten more complicated. She made the right decision sending Valon to meet with him and getting out partially ahead of the situation. No doubt, Arthur was already contemplating war. If he were a smart ruler, he would certainly be preparing for the possibility.

“You've done well. For now, all we can do is–”

A shriek ripped to the air. The air shook as it reverberated and the gems in the walls flickered with light and warning.

“Daphne!”