Roan
I didn't bother to knock.
My hand was already on the door to Arin's chambers before the guards could even speak my name, announcing.
And if there was even a chance that it was her blood, I had to know.
The door swung open and the scene inside hit me like a blow to the chest.
Nova sat on the floor, cradled in Usera's arms, blood streaking down her arm and staining her pale violet gown. Her face was tear-streaked, her breath hitching as though she could barely stay conscious. Her head lolled slightly, just enough to press dramatically into her mother's chest.
Usera was shrieking, at Arin.
And Arin, Arin stood near the bed, frozen in place. Her lips were parted, her eyes wide and glistening. She looked like a deer caught between a hunter's bow and the blade of its own doubt.
"You monster!" Usera screamed, clutching Nova closer. "How dare you lay a hand on her! My daughter came here in kindness, and you… you repay her with this violence!"
"What in the name of the gods is happening here?" I barked, stepping fully into the room.
Usera whipped her head toward me, eyes red-rimmed and blazing. "Your Majesty," she said, voice trembling with fury. "Your mate just tried to kill my daughter, all because she came to check on her."
Nova let out a strangled sob, curling against her mother like a wounded child. Her sleeve was torn, and blood still seeped from a gash down her forearm. Deep, but not deadly.
"Arin?" I turned to her.
She didn't move.
Only blinked once, her throat working like she wanted to speak but didn't trust the sound.
Nova moaned again, her tears falling freely now. "I just.. I came to check on her. I knew she might be sad after the ceremony, and I brought a tray with some fruit and warm tea. I wanted to be kind, but she… she snapped. She said that I didn't belong here. That I was trying to replace her. And then she grabbed a dagger from the table and just lunged."
I looked to Arin.
Her eyes snapped to mine. "That is a lie," she said, voice shaking but steady. "You know it is a lie Nova."
Usera surged forward and slapped her.
Hard.
The sound cracked through the air like lightning.
Arin staggered sideways, a hand flying to her cheek, stunned.
"You shut your mouth!" Usera spat. "You ungrateful little wretch. You have always been jealous of my Nova. Since I accepted your father's plea to mother his motherless daughter, despite all I have done to be the mother that you lost. Look at what you have become. You wear the crown like it's armor, but deep down, you are just that bitter, wolfless girl who is responsible for your mother's death. you could not bear to see someone better standing beside her."
Arin's face turned pale at the mention of her mother and despite my apathy towards her, i almost felt sorry for her.
"Enough," I growled, stepping between them before another strike could land.
Usera turned to me with trembling hands and blood on her skirt. "You must punish her, Your Majesty," she said. "This is not just an insult to my daughter, it is a threat to your Court. To the sanctity of the Queen's role. What if she harms someone else? What if she comes after you next?"
Arin stared at me.
Her cheek was red, her eyes glassy, but she didn't cry.
She didn't beg.
She simply met my gaze like she was daring me to believe her.
Or daring me not to.
"But didn't do it," she whispered. "Roan… I didn't."
And for a moment… just a moment… my heart paused.
Because I didn't think she was lying.
Because something in her voice, no, in her soul sounded too raw to be manufactured.
But the blood was real.
And Nova was hurt.
And I could feel every eye that would soon be watching this moment, waiting to see what kind of King I was.
The kind who shielded his Queen?
Or the kind who ruled above her?
I looked at Nova, still weeping in her mother's arms.
Then I looked back at Arin, my Queen.
The girl I had humiliated at the altar. The girl I had taken into my court for power, not affection. The girl whose eyes haunted my sleep even when I wanted them to disappear.
I clenched my fists.
"As Queen," I said, "you are held to a higher standard of conduct."
Her brows pulled together. "Roan?"
"The palace has it's rules," I cut in, each word tasting like iron. "And it has laws. Violence within the inner quarters unprovoked, deliberate cannot go unanswered. Guards!"
Two palace guards stepped through the doorway instantly, bows ready.
"Take Her Majesty to the west tower. She is not to be harmed, but she will remain under close watch until this matter is fully investigated."
Arin's mouth fell open.
She stumbled forward a step. "You don't believe me?"
I didn't respond.
Because if I did, if I admitted what I was thinking. I might shatter the fragile mask I wore.
That I didn't know who to trust.
That I didn't know who I was anymore.
The guards stepped to either side of her, placing light but firm hands on her arms.
She looked at me again, just once.
And the betrayal in her eyes felt like a blade twisting under my ribs.
Nova whimpered as the guards led Arin past her, past me.
Usera stood, brushing a lock of Nova's hair from her damp brow.
"You did the right thing, Your Majesty," she said softly. "Your court is watching. And your Queen's behavior should be an example."
I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
Because I didn't feel like a king anymore.
Just a man who'd made a decision that tasted like ash.
And something deep inside me whispered that i had just done a big injustice.
But i shrugged off the feeling.