Chapter 31 #2
"The tithe. The pack tithe for the land." Rhett's voice was quiet, like he still couldn't quite believe it. "The king himself came to the Divide. Personally delivered payment to the pack alpha. Full tithe for the next twenty years. In gold."
My hands froze mid-sign. “The king? Not Kieran?”
"Not Kieran. His father. The actual king walked into pack territory and paid your debt himself." Rhett shook his head. "Alpha nearly shit himself. You don't refuse a king, especially not one who's lived a thousand years and could probably kill everyone in the Divide if he wanted to."
The floor seemed to tilt under me. “Why would he—"
"He said"—Rhett's smile was wry—"and I'm quoting here because I asked around, wanted to make sure this was real—he said 'The Crown pays its debts. Consider this matter settled.'"
The Crown pays its debts. The king had stepped in and cleared everything.
"Twenty years, Merrit. You don't owe them shit. The bar's secure. You're free."
I looked across the bar to where Kieran stood. I felt his surprise—he hadn't known, either. His father had done this without telling him.
Kieran's attention snapped to me, feeling my shock through our connection. He moved through the crowd toward us.
"What's wrong?" he asked when he reached us.
“Your father paid my tithe. To the pack. Twenty years.”
Kieran went absolutely still. "What?"
"Came himself," Rhett confirmed. "Walked right into pack territory like he owned it—which, I guess technically he does own the whole realm, but still. Paid the full tithe."
Kieran looked stunned. "He didn't tell me."
"Didn't tell her either, apparently." Rhett’s gaze darted between us. "But it's done. Signed, sealed, delivered. The pack's not going to argue with the king."
"No," Kieran said slowly. "They wouldn't dare."
“Why would he do that?” I signed, the disbelief hitting me square in the chest.
Kieran's features softened—something between surprise and understanding.
"Because you're family now. And my father.
.. he protects what's his." He touched my face gently.
"You're under the Crown's protection. He made that clear to the pack.
They won't touch you. Won't demand anything from you. Not now."
My throat felt tight. The king—who'd met me once, who'd questioned me, who'd acknowledged my title—had gone into pack territory personally and eliminated the debt that had controlled my life for years.
"It also means something else," Rhett said quietly. "Politically, I mean. King paying your tithe personally? That's a statement. He's telling the whole realm you're under royal protection. Anyone who comes after you is coming after the Crown."
Tears stung my eyes. Not just freedom from debt, but safety. Real safety backed by the most powerful vampire in the realm.
"Hey." Rhett's voice was gentle. "The bar's yours. Secure. No strings. Well—except your prince, but that seems like a string you want."
“It is,” I signed, trying to get myself together.
“I should thank him,” I sent to Kieran, not knowing how I could possibly repay a debt that big.
"He won't want thanks. This is just..." Kieran shook his head, something like pride in his expression. "This is him saying you're family. In the only way he knows how."
Kieran's surprise gave way to warmth. His father had accepted me. Truly accepted me. Not just tolerated his son's choice but actively protected it.
“Your father is...”
"Surprising?" Kieran offered with a slight smile.
“Yes.”
"He does that sometimes." Kieran pulled me close. "But he's right. You shouldn't have been in debt in the first place.”
"The king said basically the same thing," Rhett added. "Told the alpha it was a matter of honor."
I leaned against Kieran, still processing. Free. Truly free. The bar secure. No debt hanging over me. No fear of the pack coming to collect.
And Kieran's father—the ancient, calculating king—had done it himself. Had made a political statement so clear that no one could miss it: she's ours now.
"So yeah," Rhett said, his smile warm. "You're good. We're good. Bar's good. And apparently, you've got the most powerful vampire in the realm as your father-in-law. How's that for protection?"
“It’s fucking terrifying,” I signed, but I did it with a smile on my face.
Kieran laughed. "Fair."
Rhett's eyes softened. "But don't forget—this is your bar. Your home. Doesn't matter how many castles you've got access to now. This place is yours."
“I won't forget.”
"And we're running it fine, but you're still the boss. You say the word, we step aside."
I shook my head firmly. “You're family. You run it. I trust you.”
"Yeah, well. Trust goes both ways." He squeezed my shoulder. "We've got your back. Always."
Later, when exhaustion pulled at me, Kieran appeared at my side. "Ready to go home?"
Which one? I answered with a slight smile.
"Ours. The one with the bed I plan to keep you in for at least twelve hours."
Heat rose to my face, but I nodded.
Saying goodbye took time. Sable made me promise to visit properly—"for tea, not just emergencies." Trouble yipped agreement.
“Stay safe,” Jex rumbled. “Come back soon.”
Rhett hugged me hard. "You're family. Remember that. No matter what happens up at that castle, you're ours."
“Always.”
Serenya had somehow convinced Rhett to explain his entire alchemical process and was taking notes. She waved absently as we left. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do! Which gives you lots of options!"
Then we were outside, in the cool night air, the sounds of my bar fading behind us.
"That was..." Kieran started.
“Perfect. Chaotic and loud and perfect.”
"Your family's as exhausting as mine."
“That's why they'll get along.”
We climbed into the carriage. I leaned against him as we started moving, watching the Divide fade into the distance.
Two homes. Two families. Two worlds becoming one.
"Tired?" Kieran asked.
“Very. But good tired.”
"Let's get you home. Our home."
I looked up at him. “I am home. Wherever you are.”
His arms tightened around me. “Forever.”
“Forever.”
Thank you so much for reading A Silence of Shadows. I can’t express just how much I love Merrit & Kieran along with their ragtag bunch of friends.