Chapter 30 Lev #2
The crowd murmured, some with amusement at their prince’s thoroughness, others with growing impatience. Christoph’s knuckles whitened as he gripped his ceremonial staff.
“The test will make the requirements clear instinctively, Prince Lev. Now, if we could proceed—”
“Of course, Councilor. But while I have your attention,” Lev’s voice dropped to a more personal register, “how are you handling my father’s death?
I know you and King Rorick had your disagreements over the years, but losing him so suddenly.
..” He shook his head with apparent sorrow.
“His heart condition was manageable for so long. Strange how quickly it deteriorated in his final days.”
Christoph’s face went pale, then flushed red. “This is hardly the time for personal—”
“You’re absolutely right,” Lev agreed solemnly. “My father would want me focused on the pride’s future, not dwelling on the past. Though I can’t help but think he’d still be here if someone hadn’t been causing him so much stress with political maneuvering and challenges to his authority.”
The accusation hung unspoken but unmistakable. Christoph’s eyes blazed with fury barely contained beneath his diplomatic mask. “Prince Lev, your father’s passing was a tragedy, but these conspiracy theories—”
“Who said anything about conspiracies?” Lev asked with dangerous mildness.
“I was simply reflecting on how stress affects the heart. My father always said the crown’s heaviest burden was knowing who to trust.” His gaze swept meaningfully over the council members.
“He was such a good judge of character.”
The crowd had gone silent, sensing the undercurrent of tension crackling between prince and councilor. Christoph opened his mouth for what looked like a blistering retort, then caught himself, forcing his expression back to neutral.
“Your father was indeed wise,” Christoph said through gritted teeth. “Perhaps we could honor his memory by completing the trial as planned?”
Lev spotted movement in the back of the arena—Benjamin’s familiar figure slipping through the crowd. Their eyes met across the distance, and Benjamin gave the slightest nod.
The signal.
“You’re absolutely right, Councilor Christoph,” Lev said with sudden brightness.
“Thank you for being so patient with my questions and concerns. I know some might see my thoroughness as irresponsible or unprepared, but I believe a true king should understand every aspect of what’s expected of him.
Your calm guidance today was appreciated. ”
Christoph’s smile returned, sharp with anticipation.
“Excellent. Then let us begin the loyalty test.” His voice carried an edge of barely contained excitement.
“This challenge will be... a surprise. You are to go to the center of the stage and wait. React as your instincts and loyalty demand to whatever unfolds.”
Lev nodded gravely. “I understand completely.”
He walked to the center of the circular stage, every muscle coiled with readiness. The crowd leaned forward in their seats, anticipation thick in the air. Through the mate bond, he felt Xelene’s fierce protectiveness surge—wherever she was, she knew the danger was about to begin.
Trust me, he projected to her through their connection. Trust us.
The arena fell silent except for the whisper of wind through the stone passages.
Lev stood motionless, hyperaware of every shadow and every movement in his peripheral vision.
Christoph watched from the side with barely concealed glee, while Crispin sat in the front row, his pale eyes bright with malicious anticipation.
Then it happened.
Three massive lions burst from concealed passages beneath the arena floor, their roars shaking the very stones. The crowd screamed and surged backward as the beasts charged directly toward the council’s platform where the five elders sat in shock.
Brilliant, Lev thought grimly. Make it look like I have to choose between my own safety and protecting the council. If I die defending them, I’m a hero. If I hesitate, I’m a coward.
But Lev had already made his choice in a split second. Even knowing the trap, even knowing Christoph deserved whatever fate awaited him, Lev couldn’t let innocent council members die for one man’s ambition.
His shift exploded through him with violent grace, his ceremonial clothes shredding as his massive lion form materialized. Golden fur blazed in the sunlight as he launched himself between the charging rogues and the scrambling council members, his roar of challenge drowning out the crowd’s screams.
The first rogue slammed into him with bone-jarring force, claws raking across his shoulder as they rolled across the stone. Lev’s jaws clamped down on the attacker’s throat, not quite hard enough to kill but sufficient to send the lion limping away, defeated.
The remaining two rogues circled him with predatory patience, their eyes holding an intelligence that confirmed Lev’s suspicions—these weren’t mindless beasts. They were hired killers with a specific target.
Come on then, Lev snarled silently. Let’s finish this.
The rogues attacked in unison, one high and one low, trying to overwhelm him with sheer numbers. Lev twisted away from snapping jaws, his claws finding purchase in his attacker’s flank, but the second rogue was already closing in for what would have been a killing blow—
Then Benjamin’s golden-brown lion form crashed into the assassin mid-leap, the two beasts tumbling away from Lev in a savage tangle of claws and fangs. Lev disabled his remaining opponent with ruthless efficiency, then spun to help his friend.
“The loyalty test has been compromised!” Christoph declared, his voice cutting through the noise. “This breach invalidates the test.”
The arena erupted in chaos as pride members shouted and pointed. Security guards rushed the stage while the three lions shifted back to human form, Benjamin maintaining his grip on the would-be assassin despite returning to his more vulnerable human shape.
“Actually, I think it validates everything perfectly.”
Xelene’s voice rang out clear and strong as she strode onto the stage, Janice beside her with a communicator held high. The crowd fell silent, mesmerized by the human woman who moved with such confident authority.
“Council members,” Janice announced, approaching the four remaining elders, “I think you need to see these photos of correspondence we found hidden in Councilor Christoph’s office.”
Mason, the elderly councilor Lev’s father had always respected, took the communicator with trembling hands. His face went ashen as he scrolled through the images, then hardened into granite.
“Guards,” Mason’s voice carried absolute authority. “Arrest Councilor Christoph and Crispin for conspiracy, murder, and treason against the crown.”
The arena exploded into shocked voices as security moved to comply, but Crispin had already melted into the crowd, disappearing like the coward he’d always been beneath his bluster.
Mason moved slowly to the front of the stage, his aged frame somehow commanding the attention of every pride member present.
“Prince Lev has not only passed his loyalty test by protecting this council at great personal risk, but has successfully completed the Trial of the Sun. By right of blood, trial, and the evidence of his character, I hereby proclaim Lev Marcan as our rightful king.”
The crowd’s roar was deafening this time, but Lev barely heard it.
His attention was fixed on Xelene, who stood watching him with something like wonder in her green eyes.
Through the bond, he felt her pride in him, her awe at his choice to protect even his enemies, and underneath it all, a growing certainty that made his heart race.
“My people,” Lev called out, his voice carrying easily across the arena.
“Today you’ve seen treachery and loyalty, deception and truth.
But most importantly, you’ve seen the courage of those who stood with me.
” His gaze found Xelene. “Everything you witnessed today—the uncovering of this conspiracy, the prevention of my assassination, the protection of your future—all of it was possible because of one woman’s brilliance, dedication, and refusal to let injustice stand. ”
He stepped toward her, aware that hundreds of eyes tracked his movement. “Xelene Warren is my fated mate. We have completed the mate bond, and I hope—” His voice caught with genuine emotion. “I hope that someday soon, she will choose to stay here and become your queen.”
The crowd’s approval washed over them both, and through their connection, Lev felt Xelene’s walls finally, completely crumble. Her desire to stay, to build a life with him, to rule beside him—it flooded through the bond with such intensity that he nearly staggered.
She hadn’t said the words yet. But she would.
And when she did, Lev knew the real adventure of his life would begin.