Five days had passed since the ordeal, and Valex had visited the Appex Pack. He sat upright and unwavering on the royal chair while Kael stood behind him. The High Chief sat on his throne a bit farther back. Valex sighed and remarked, "It has been five days, and Malrik’s body is nowhere to be seen."

The High Chief questioned, "What have his guards said?" Valex looked at the Chief and replied, "His personal guard, Orien, said he last saw Malrik leave the palace in a rush on his horse."

A silence fell between them as they both contemplated the situation. Valex broke the silence, saying, "His horse was found in a forest clearing, but there are no traces of him." The High Chief’s voice took on a firmer tone as he stated, "If your curse is truly broken, then he is definitely dead. His elders couldn’t testify about his whereabouts before their beheading, so they must have known before they died; they had to be very loyal men."

Valex let out a mocking chuckle, his face contorted in disgust. "More like fools. They were as dumb as their king."

The High Chief tilted his head and asked, "How is Odesse?" A warm smile immediately appeared on Valex’s face as he replied, "She’s doing well, although her body is still very weak."

The High Chief responded, "I do hope she is getting a lot of rest." Valex nodded with a smile, "Yes, she is, but she is very stubborn. She still insists on doing things she cannot do given her health condition."

The High Chief let out a soft laugh. "Just like her mother. Althea was always adamant about doing things she couldn’t when she was sick." He paused for a moment, and silence blanketed the throne room before he raised his head and said, "Now that Malrik still has not been found, I think it’s time we discuss the Silverclaw Pack again."

Valex replied, "My decision is already made, High Chief. I cannot rule two packs. I will not have time for my wife anymore."

The High Chief said, "Yes, I am aware that you do not wish to rule over two packs, which is why the land is now a protectorate under my seal since there is no ruler yet. I shall appoint a noble family from this Appex Pack. It will take time, but the Silverclaw Pack shall be under my control for now."

Valex smiled and nodded. He breathed out, "It is a shame that the struggles of my fathers will be washed away all because of my brother’s foolish mistake—or rather, my half-brother’s. I am very sure whoever you appoint will make the Silverclaw Pack blossom again."

The High Chief replied, "Yes, it will, but your mother, Valex, will need to leave the palace and stay with you."

Valex touched his forehead and said, "She was the one who chose to be on Malrik’s side."

The High Chief’s voice became stern as he stated, "Lineage is a heavy burden, Valex. But the Silverclaw halls cannot house a woman whose son played traitor to the High Seal. She is your blood; she is your responsibility. The new family must start with a clean slate, free of the old Queen’s shadow. I shall give you time to think about it."

Valex stood slowly, looking at the High Chief as Kael shifted slightly. "If it’s okay with you, my wife and I will discuss this and come to a conclusion." The High Chief nodded, and Valex continued, "I shall take my leave now," as he bowed his head slightly. "I have to get back to my wife," he added with a warm smile.

The High Chief nodded as he shifted slightly in his throne, and Valex made his way out. Kael bowed towards the Chief and followed Valex. The High Chief’s mask shifted, and a smile curved at his lips as he thought, "I wonder what the future holds for these two."

Suddenly, a chilling voice whispered through the High Chief’s mind, "Trouble." His body froze as he exclaimed, "What?!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

...

Valex had arrived at the moonlight palace and he pushed open the heavy oak doors of their bedchamber, his chest tight with a need to see her. He had expected the room to be quiet, the air thick with the scent of herbs and sleep, but the bed was empty. A servant was there instead, frantically snapping a silk sheet over the mattress.

Valex didn’t move. He kept his face stone-cold as he asked, "Where is Her Highness?"

The servant jumped, nearly dropping the linen. "Her Highness isn’t here, Sire. She... she insisted on the solar. Said she was done with the smell of medicine and wouldn’t stay down another minute."

Valex turned on his heel, his cloak snapping behind him. When he reached the solar, he didn’t barge in. He leaned against the stone frame of the door, arms folded, and just watched.

Odesse was moving with agonizing slowness. Her arms were stuck out at her sides like she was walking a tightrope, and a thick, leather-bound history book was balanced precariously on her head. Her face was pinched in total concentration, the tip of her tongue poking out of the corner of her mouth as she tried to execute a turn.

"The feet are supposed to glide, Azure," Odesse muttered to the air, her voice strained. "But my toes feel like lead weights."

She took one more shaky step. The book wobbled, slipping fast, but Valex moved before it could hit the floor. His large hand snatched the book out of the air while his other arm hooked around her waist, pulling her flush against his chest to steady her.

Odesse let out a sharp gasp, her heart thudding against his ribs.

"I believe the Royal Dance usually involves a partner, my love," Valex said, his voice low and vibrating with a laugh he was trying to hide. "Not a library."

Odesse’s face went a deep, hot red. She looked up at him, her eyes flashing with a mix of embarrassment and that familiar fire. "You were supposed to be at the Apex Pack for another hour. I was going to surprise you."

Valex looked at her—really looked at her. She was still too pale, and he could feel the fine tremors in her muscles from the effort of standing, but her eyes were bright and full of life. "You don’t need a book to teach you how to carry yourself like a Queen," he murmured.

Odesse glanced over at Azure, who was watching them with a sly, knowing smile. She pushed against Valex’s chest softly, though she didn’t pull away. "My King... I still need to learn it."

"My love, you are still weak," Valex insisted, his grip on her waist tightening. A playful smirk tugged at his mouth. "If I hadn’t walked in, you’d be on the floor right now."

Odesse arched an eyebrow. "No, I wouldn’t. Azure is here; she would have caught me."

Valex finally looked at Azure as if noticing her for the first time. He straightened up, though he didn’t let go of Odesse. "Ah. Azure. I didn’t see you there."

Azure kept her head bowed, but the glint in her eyes told a different story. "Her Highness has been a very difficult pupil today, Sire."

"Is that so?" Valex looked back down at his wife.

Odesse pouted, looking away, and the smirk on Valex’s face widened. "Why do you have to stress yourself so much, my love?"

Odesse let out a frustrated groan. "I’m tired of lying down all day. I feel like a prisoner in my own skin."

Valex softened, his thumb tracing the curve of her hip. "Then why don’t we take a stroll through the garden? Would you like that?"

Odesse’s face lit up instantly. "Yes. I would."

"The lesson is over for today, Azure," Valex said, dismissing her without taking his eyes off Odesse. "You can continue when she calls for you next."

"Of course, Your Highness," Azure bowed.

Odesse looked at her teacher, her expression falling into a look of genuine guilt. "I’m very sorry, Azure. I wasted your time today."

Azure smiled, gathering her things. "What was the first thing I taught you, Your Highness?"

Odesse bit her lip and gave a small, sheepish chuckle. "A Queen should never apologize."

"Exactly." Azure picked up her bag, bowed once more to the King, and slipped out of the solar, the door clicking shut behind her.

The silence that followed was heavy. Valex didn’t waste a second. He hooked his fingers into the waistband of Odesse’s dress and dragged her firmly against him so she had to look up.

"You are a very stubborn Queen," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin.

Odesse smirked, her hands sliding up his chest to bunch in the fabric of his shirt. "And you very much love this stubborn Queen."

Valex lowered his head, his voice dropping to a rough, honest rasp. "I love her so much I would die for her."

Odesse’s breath hitched. Her ears turned a bright, stinging red. She pulled him closer, her voice just as fierce. "And I love this mischievous King so much I would kill for him."

Valex’s neck burnt a bright, hot crimson. He didn’t wait for another word. He crashed his lips against hers, his arm wrapping around her waist in a grip so tight it left no room for air. It wasn’t a gentle kiss; it was desperate and hungry, the kind of kiss from a man who had stared at death and realized what he couldn’t live without. Odesse held his face, her fingers digging into his jaw as she met his heat with her own, the rest of the world and its troubles simply vanishing into the dark behind her eyelids.