The Play-Toy Of Three Lycan Kings-Chapter 373: Night Discussions VI

Makeh’s words did nothing to reassure me.

A replacement. The word curdled in my stomach the longer it sat there.

Not heir. Not a successor. Replacement. Something meant to be slotted in when I cracked beyond repair.

My mouth pulled into a crooked sneer before I even realized it, the expression carving itself onto my face like instinct.

So that was it.

All this time—the suffering, the blood, the crawling back from death’s throat more than once—and the goddess still kept a spare like a broken shield tucked behind her altar. Just in case.

I felt something sour swell inside my ribs. Something ugly. Something dangerously close to grief. I masked it the only way I knew how. With derision.

"Well," I scoffed, folding my arms. "That’s comforting. Nothing says divine confidence like a backup plan with eyes and a pulse. Also gives me peace to go about my other business."

Makeh did not scold me. She only watched me with a quiet, uncomfortable patience. "You shouldn’t dwell on it," she said. "Your failure is not destined."

I barked out a laugh. "Oh?" I shot back. "That’s funny. Because breeding a replacement doesn’t exactly scream faith. And you made it seem like his survival depended on me!"

Something flickered in her gaze. But she spoke calmly. "You should concern yourself only with your path," she said. "Not its contingency."

I paced. Once. Twice. The hut suddenly felt too small.

Makeh exhaled deeply. "He is not meant to be you, Sage." she said. "If that comforts you."

It didn’t.

"He is not ready," she continued. "And he will likely never be."

I stilled.

Her eyes dropped. "When I found him, his magic was already... compromised."

My fingers curled. "Compromised how?"

She hesitated. "He was bitten."

"By what?" Even as I asked, I felt the answer creeping up my spine.

Makeh met my eyes. "A vampire."

My breath caught. "So that’s it," I whispered faintly. "That’s why time doesn’t move properly around him. That’s why he doesn’t look his age... grows slow. So, he’s likely eternal too?"

Makeh said nothing.

The silence was confirmation enough.

I swallowed thickly. Did that mean if I failed, Makeh would work on him? How would she do that, if he couldn’t grow past a certain height?

"And me?" I asked, needing to know now.

"If the gods can plant replacements," I said carefully, "then what did they pluck me from?"

She did not answer.

"Who was my family?"

Nothing.

I moved closer. "Makeh."

Still nothing.

"You know," I said.

Her jaw tightened.

I felt something hot spark in my blood. "You know," I repeated louder.

Silence.

My control snapped. "What kind of monster are you?" I exploded. "You sit there like a stone saint while you tell me I’m replaceable—expendable—a candle meant to burn out and be swapped—but when I ask you who made me, you swallow your tongue!"

She looked pained. But she did not speak.

"Oh," I hissed. "let me guess... the goddess hasn’t given you permission to tell me that either?"

Makeh’s eyes sharpened. "Sage—"

I wasn’t listening. "Or maybe," I went on bitterly, "I don’t have a real family at all. Maybe I crawled out of divine mud like some half-breed experiment. Maybe I was built instead of born!"

Her face went pale. "Be careful," she warned. "Words summon things you do not understand—" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Good!" I snapped. "Let them come."

My fists clenched. I tipped my head back and cursed the darkness, cursed the unseen, cursed the holy.

I cursed the goddess. I cursed her for watching instead of walking. For forging destinies while refusing explanations. For silence masquerading as wisdom. I cursed her for choosing me at all.

When I dragged breath back into my lungs, Makeh was before me.

Her voice, when she spoke, trembled slightly. "You are not unwanted."

I scoffed. "Then tell me where I came from."

Silence. Again.

My vision burned. I turned away sharply. "Fine," I muttered. "Keep your secrets. See how that works out for you."

Then just as abruptly...

I pivoted. "Okay," I snapped. "Different subject."

Makeh looked relieved.

My jaw clenched. "The triplets."

Her relief vanished.

"You’ve made them out to be victims," I said sharply. "Explain that to me. Because they’re always there. Always."

Darius shifted.

I ignored him.

"They hover around my death like carrion crows and you want me to believe they’re innocent?" I demanded. "I hear their laughter in my head, Makeh. Still."

My fingers trembled. My voice cracked despite myself. "How are they not my executioners?"

Makeh did not answer.

I laughed weakly.

"Oh, let me guess," I sneered. "Another sacred mute moment?"

Her lips parted. Then closed again.

My hands fisted. "Say something!" I snapped. "Just once — tell me the truth without divine approval cardstock!"

She flinched. Then finally said... "Live with the knowing that they are not your enemies."

I stared at her. "That’s it?"

She nodded. "That is enough. The truth will come at the right time."

"No," I muttered. "That is nothing."

"Sage," Darius cut in quietly. "Let me help you—"

I rounded on him. "Not you," I barked.

Makeh spoke then. "You will find your answers," she said. "Search under the belief that the triplets are not your tormentors—and truth will bleed through."

I laughed darkly. "You’re unbelievable."

I kicked the chair. "I’m done."

And without looking at either of them, I walked out of the hut.

The barn waited cool and empty, moonlight slipping between wooden slats like thin fingers.

I leaned against a support beam and breathed through the trembling.

Then I heard footsteps. Small. Measured.

I turned reluctantly.

The boy was approaching. With Darius.

For the first time ever... He looked directly at me.

I froze. His eyes were not eyes. They were pools of night scorched red at the rims. Like coals smoldering behind endless dark.

When he spoke, it was soft. "Please do the needful."

Just that.

Then he walked away.

I almost cursed him too. Instead, I walked into the nearest empty stall and collapsed into the hay. The scent of dry grass and dust wrapped around me. And I finally let

When I blinked again, the forest was around me. Still dark. Still breathing. But different. The air tasted lighter.

Dawn was near.

I stood. Dusted off my cloak. Turned toward the path. And nearly walked straight into Darius.

"You were about to leave without me?" he drawled faintly. "You break my heart, cara."

I brushed past him. "You have none."