Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch-Chapter 222: The Forsaken [Part 2]

Diana sighed heavily. "I understand that, I’m just trying to avoid a full-blown conflict. The last thing we need is another war."

I have no intention of avoiding a conflict; I could bloody go to war if I have to.

"Warlocks are into business, maybe if we could offer something else that’d take their sights off Eloise."

"And what do you suggest we offer?" I asked irritably.

"They are a greedy bunch."

"Ouch..." Corvin commented. "But the lovely lady is right. However, this is not something Zevrin can just turn away from. He greatly believes a sacrifice will strengthen the craft. He’s so consumed that he’s willing to tussle with the lycans."

"Is he dragging the entire Order with him, or do they share his twisted ideas?" Diana questioned.

I get what she was trying to do. She wanted to single out the threat. Reasonably, I should be the one doing this, for I was the monarch, and it was my duty to avoid any conflict as much as possible.

But I wasn’t a monarch at the moment; I was a husband who was ready to tear down the realms and have heads on my table to feast upon.

"The same way you follow your Alpha no matter what, the same applies to the Lord of the Order. They believe his ideas are absolute."

"That’s tragic," Diana remarked, and she switched off the practical side at once. "Their heads can all roll for all I care."

Corvin tipped his head in response, and for an odd reason, I could tell he was smirking.

"How many of these warlocks are in my empire?" I cut whatever tension was brewing between the two.

"I do not know the numbers, but they are everywhere. Faces might not be what they seem. They come in dreams and reality, whatever makes it easier to get their hands on their prize."

I closed the distance between us. "Where does your loyalty lie, Corvin Graves? Or is one not to be considered? You may have protected my wife, but you’re still a warlock. You flock to wherever suits you best. Am I wrong?"

He chuckled deeply. "I simply came because I underestimated Zevrin’s desperation to obtain his prize. If only I’d been quicker with my warnings, what happened could have been avoided earlier on."

"And now you have met your goals, what plan clouds your mind?"

"That is uncertain even for me," he said, as if in a thought. "As I mentioned, sacrificing a child is barbaric for me, so I came in hopes of soiling Zevrin’s plan."

I still don’t understand what he gained by doing this, but I assumed he had a dislike for Zevrin if he was willing to go to such lengths.

"Until we meet again, Monarch of Lycans." He flicked a small back card to me, and I caught it swiftly, moving my gaze to the word written in violet ink.

"Corvin The Black."

"He’s gone," Diana said when he was suddenly nowhere to be seen. "Do you think his only reason for coming here was to give a warning?"

"I find that hard to believe. He wants something; warlocks always want something. He may be trying to soil Zevrin’s plan, but he has a hidden agenda."

"Then give him an offer he can’t resist and bring him to your side. We need someone familiar with these warlocks who are after Eloise."

I pinned her with a look. "You sound more interested, sister. Maybe bringing him to my side will simply work in your favour too."

Her cheeks colored red, and I raised an eyebrow.

"Wha-What are you talking about? You should regard what I say rather than saying such things!"

"Aren’t you overreacting just a bit too much? I know how curious you can be. Maybe you’re looking for a chance to know more about warlocks since your books weren’t enough, or is there more?"

"Brother!"

I placed a finger to my lips, and she chewed the inside of her mouth, looking to the bed and then back to me.

"We’re dealing with warlocks, and if what I have read about them is all true, then we don’t stand a chance. They mess with the mind," she whispered. "That is out of our league when Lycans deal with strength more."

I don’t know much about them either; they were very secretive individuals. The only time I crossed paths with them was a long time ago, when one of them came to visit Father for a meeting. I wasn’t exactly involved because I was asked to wait outside his study.

After the meeting, I questioned Father, and he told me about their history. He told me how they were not to be trusted. Father had a habit of working with those he didn’t trust, claiming that shrewd ones were more expendable.

Diana was right, though... I needed something to lure Corvin to my side; he seemed like someone capable, and being a Forsaken meant he could take any opportunity as long as it benefited him.

"Something bothers me," Diana said, placing a hand beneath her chin, an action that was all too similar to Eloise’s.

"What is it?"

"I once read that this oracle, which belongs to the Order, only sees the future of their kin. Then why did they see the future of your child?"

I blinked at her words.

"This may all be nonsense, the books, after all, claimed they were extinct." She brushed it off. "We cannot rely on those."

~•~

I couldn’t sleep, so I opted for drinking. I was relaxed on the chair, eyes on Eloise, monitoring the slow rise and fall of her chest. I had bathed and changed her into my shirt, ensuring she was comfortable.

Mother came earlier, but I told the knights to turn her away because Eloise doesn’t need any more visitors. Besides, I knew she was coming to check on the baby.

I have specifically told Celia to give reports based on only what I approved. I don’t want Mother involved in this.

I hoped for Eloise to wake up, but it was already midnight.

She must’ve been really exhausted. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what she felt like when Zevrin attacked her. She must have been so scared, and the thought of not getting there in time ate me from the inside out.

Eloise was already at risk with this pregnancy, and now warlocks were involved.