Emory paced the length of the lair.

After going back and forth for a while, she stopped in front of a large, ornately carved mirror, catching her reflection. Her green eyes were wide with worry, and her fiery red hair fell in dishevelled waves around her face. She reached up to smooth it down.

What was happening at that moment between Kane and Rahl? Would they be civil about this or not? Kane had his reservations, and she was the cause of it, considering she’d foolishly walked away from him before. She didn’t know what it was now, maybe the mind-blowing sex or just his magnificence, but she wanted him, desperately.

She moved to the large window to the far end of the bedroom, wondering what exactly would be out there. To her surprise, it was overlooking the sprawling landscape of the dragon territory. The view was breathtaking, with rolling hills and towering mountains, their peaks kissed by the golden rays of the setting sun. Emory took a deep breath, staring at the looming tower in the distance, it brought Rahl’s tower to mind.

It made sense that his lair would set its base roots in Qaelasyn Province. She wanted to go out there and see what was left of their civilization. Growing up, Qaelasyn was forbidden territory for the wolves, and to think she was now here and a part of it was unbelievable.

The door to the bedroom creaked open, and Emory’s heart leapt into her throat. She turned, hoping to see Kane, but the lair remained empty, the door swaying slightly before closing again. Odd, she thought as she stepped away from the window.

She walked over to the bed, sinking onto the soft mattress. The room felt too large, too empty without Kane beside her. She curled up, hugging a pillow to her chest. The pillow smelled like him, a mix of cedar and spice, and she buried her face in it, drawing in deep breaths.

I can’t just stay here, doing nothing. I need to go back to Kedar, at least to let them know I’m safe. She sighed, as she sat up. Just as she was about to call for the doorway, it appeared in front of her, shimmering with a mysterious light. Her eyebrows shot up in cautious disbelief. Did it just sense my thoughts?

Emory rose slowly and walked through the portal, appearing in the most beautiful throne room she had ever seen. The lavishness of the space took her breath away. Majestic columns lined the room, and the floor was a pristine marble that reflected the golden light of the chandeliers hanging above. The walls were covered with elaborate carvings of dragons, their scales appearing to ripple and move as the light played across them.

Her wonder was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. She turned to see the Crimson Wing, all five of them, standing in front of her with expressions as unreadable as stone. She felt a flutter of nervousness. Should I bow? What’s the protocol here?

“Lady Chav’re,” Dairdat called, inclining his head in a slight bow. Emory recognized him from the fractured chasm; he had referred to Kane as young Odreil, unlike everyone else who called him the imperial lord.

“Um, Lord Dairdat,” she replied, mimicking the bow and clasping her hands in front of her. Why did the lair bring me here?

“Please, the Imperial Consort doesn’t bow to us, Lady Chav’re,” Dairdat continued. “We’ve summoned you to discuss certain matters. Please.” He gestured to the throne on the elevated platform.

“You want me to sit there?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.

“It is the way of the dragons,” Dairdat replied, gesturing again for her to ascend the platform.

Emory noticed something unsettling about the dragons. It wasn’t their elegant robes or their flowing long hair, but the eerie stillness of their faces. No twitches, no sly half-smiles, no twinkles in their eyes. Dairdat’s eyes, a stormy red, seemed to pierce through her. What an unusual eye colour.

Swallowing her unease, she turned away from the congregation and started up the flight of stairs. The cold stone of the floor pressed against her bare feet, making her acutely aware she’d forgotten to throw her boots back on.

She lifted the skirt of her dress as she ascended, feeling each step like a test. What could they possibly want to discuss that requires me to sit on Kane’s throne?

Once she reached the top, Emory paused, admiring the detail on the throne. It stood out, a pure black amidst a sea of white and gold. As she approached, the space beside it shimmered, and her eyes darted to see a smaller, nearly identical throne materialize. It was just like back in the fractured chasm.

“What are you waiting for, Lady Chav’re? You should sit,” Dairdat said from below.

She turned to face him. “You were testing me?”

Dairdat’s expression remained inscrutable. “We needed to see if our predecessors would accept you as the Imperial Consort. Besides, it is important that you understand the meaning of that role.”

Emory hesitated for a moment, then slowly lowered herself onto the throne. The seat was surprisingly comfortable, its surface cool against her skin. She looked down at the Crimson Wing, their faces still masks of Stoic detachment.

I have to show them I’m not just some wolf. I’m Kane’s mate, and I belong here. She straightened her posture. “What is it you need to discuss?” she asked

Dairdat stepped forward, arms braced behind his back. His expression was stern, eyes unwavering. “We must talk about the future of our people and your role within it. There are decisions to be made, and you will play a crucial part in them.”

The future of their people? Emory’s heart pounded. What decisions could possibly need me to play a crucial part?

“What decisions?” she asked.

“Your link to the Lycan,” Dairdat began, his tone as cold as the obsidian walls surrounding them. “There is no way to sever it unless with his death.” Emory’s mind raced as she noticed the other elders sitting quietly, their expressions unreadable. Is he the head of the elders? Why aren’t they saying anything?

“What we may be able to do,” Dairdat continued, “is fulfil your unification with his imperial highness to establish your link with him. Once that is done, you and only you must end the Lycan.”

“What?” The word escaped her lips in a horrified whisper. Did I hear that right?

“You must understand,” Dairdat explained, “that for Lord Odreil to be Emperor of this Empire, there can only be one king. This Wulric must die, and you must prove your loyalty to the dragon fold by doing this.”

Emory’s mind reeled. Kill Rahl? They want me to kill Rahl? A cold sweat break out on her forehead. How can they expect this of me? Rahl is”

“I can’t just kill him,” she protested. “There has to be another way.”

“There is no other way,” Dairdat insisted. “The bond you share with him is a threat to our empire. Your loyalty must lie with the dragons, with Lord Odreil.”

Anger roared inside her. Her fingers clenched into fists on the arms of the throne, her nails digging into her palms. How can they ask this of me?

“I won’t do it,” she said, stressing every word. “There has to be another way to break this curse without killing him. If you cannot find it, then the failure is yours. What you won’t do is use me under the guise of proving my loyalty!”

Dairdat’s expression softened slightly. “Lady Chav’re, we understand the difficulty of this task, but it is the only solution that ensures the stability and future of our empire. You must choose where your loyalty lies.”

“My loyalty lies with my mate. By way of this unification, it lies with the wolves and the dragons. I haven’t given any reason to question it!”

Dairdat nodded, his fiery red eyes piercing into hers. “You are inexorably linked to a king who will demand a union as well, one that releases him from Aworyn’s clutches. Your loyalty, if he lives, will be split three-fold. Are you telling us, here, in the court of our ancestors, that you will honour the bond with our Emperor above all else?”

“Isn’t that what the vow of unification is?” she frowned at him as her irritation soared.

“I ask you now, imperial consort,” Dairdat replied.

Emory rose from the throne and descended the stairs to meet Dairdat. He was quite large, his black hair neatly combed back in a half ponytail. His red, fiery eyes bore into her, Stoic and wise at the same time.

Why am I being tested like this? She wondered as she held his gaze.

“If I were to guess, Lord Dairdat, I take it Kane knows nothing of this?” she asked.

Dairdat’s expression remained unchanged. “His Imperial Highness has his own matters to attend to. This, Lady Chav’re, is a matter of the fold.”

She took a deep breath, trying not to laugh. What would Kane think of all this? Would he support me or see my refusal as a betrayal?

“I understand the importance of loyalty,” she began, choosing her words carefully. “But I will not betray my mate. As for Rahl, I will find another way to sever this bond without resorting to murder.”

Dairdat’s eyes softened, just a fraction. “We only seek to protect our people and ensure the future of our empire. If you find another way, we will support it. But time is of the essence.”

Her nails dug deeper into her palms as she stared at Dairdat. “You know, you disappoint me, all of you.” She shook her head, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the council members. “For such wise and revered elders, this is ridiculous. Ultimatums and conspiracies to kill for political advancement. I understand how important you are to the way of the dragons, but resorting to capitalizing on my desire to be loyal to my mate is beneath you and so unbecoming. If Lord Odreil wishes to conquer Morrian, something tells me he can do so without using his mate. Some faith you have in your king, elders.”

The silence in the room was thick, each elder exchanging glances, some with shame, others with something else. The grunt of their stares now cumulated on her, but stared back.

Suddenly, the doorway to Kane’s lair appeared beside her. She glanced at it, then back at the council, feeling the finality in the confrontation. Without another word, she stepped through it, returning to the familiar warmth and scent of cedar and spice.

As she re-entered the lair, the tension in her shoulders eased slightly. She walked to the bed. Curling up on the soft mattress, she hugged Kane’s pillow to her chest, drawing comfort from his lingering presence.

How did I get here? she wondered, staring at the ceiling. All I wanted was to help the wolves end the war, to find my place in this world. Now I’m caught between two kings, bound by magic, and asked to choose loyalty at the cost of my soul.

The enormity of her situation washed over her, leaving her feeling small and overwhelmed. Emory closed her eyes, and as exhaustion began to claim her, she remembered she had planned to return to Kedar. Her eyes snapped open, and she sat back up. This time, she grabbed her boots, tugged them on, and rose. She waited, watching to see if the doorway would sense her desire to leave all on its own again. It did.

It opened beside her, and she stepped into her familiar flat in Kedar. She dug her fingers into her hair and flipped it all over to the right with a heavy huff. Then she felt the presence behind her in the living room and turned around.

Trey and Rodyn stood there, arms folded and tucked in pants pockets, staring at her.

“There you are,” Trey said quietly. “I was hoping I didn’t have to send a search party out for you again.”

“I had to go” fix something.” She smiled, but her eyes slipped over to Rodyn, who was gawking at her quietly, probably curious about where she’d materialized from. “Is something wrong?”

“Funny you should ask that. Come, sit, there’s much to discuss.” Trey moved to sit and gestured for her to join him.

Right, more to discuss. Emory sighed and followed her brother to the couch, wondering what he could possibly want to talk about. Rodyn remained standing, his gaze intense as he studied her.

“Rodyn brought some rather troubling news to the council. Apparently, Lady Wulric is attempting a coup,” Trey said.

“About that, Rahl has that under control,” she replied, remembering she had insisted on Rodyn getting Trey to help.

“I’m getting the sense there’s a” friendship between you and the Lycan king. Should I be worried?” her brother asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Wouldn’t this rub your’” his eyes flickered to Rodyn. “Wouldn’t your mate be offended by it?”

She saw Rodyn move in her peripheral vision, his hands slipping from his pockets as he tensed. His usual calm demeanour was replaced with confusion.

“Your mate?” Rodyn asked, barely concealing his shock. “You” have a fated?”

She bit her lip as she looked at Rodyn. His shock was glaring, and she saw the look in her brother’s eyes, like he wanted Rodyn to know the truth.

He needs to learn the truth. The poor man’s been smitten with you since he set his eyes on you, Trey told her through the mind link. She squinted her disapproval at him because now she’d have to handle this with Rodyn.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up, trying to find the right words. “Yes, I met my mate.”

Rodyn’s expression shifted from surprise to something more unreadable. His jaw tightened, and he glanced away, clearly struggling with the news. “I see.” He paused, his hands clenching and unclenching. “I should go.”

She felt a pang of guilt. She didn’t want to hurt Rodyn or be responsible for that look in his eyes. “Rodyn, wait. Please, let’s talk.”

He turned back to face her, his eyes filled with pain that confused her. “What’s there to talk about, Emory? You have a mate. What am I supposed to do with that information?”

She stepped closer. “Rodyn, you’re my friend. This doesn’t change that.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I get it, Emory. I really do. But I really need to go.” She watched as he walked away, her heart breaking for him.