CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
I lean back in my leather chair, savoring the expensive whiskey as I review the latest reports from my spies scattered throughout the kingdom.
The amber liquid burns pleasantly down my throat while I study the carefully detailed accounts of fear and chaos my network has been sowing.
Three villages reporting strange disappearances, livestock found mutilated in ritualistic patterns, families fleeing their homes in terror—all exactly as planned.
My lips curve into a satisfied smile as I trace the red marks on the map spread across my mahogany desk.
Each mark represents another step toward destabilizing Knox's future kingdom, another crack in the foundation of royal authority.
The people are beginning to lose faith in their precious crown prince's ability to protect them.
Soon, they'll be desperate for a new leader—someone strong enough to restore order to the chaos.
Someone like me.
A soft knock at my door interrupts my thoughts. "Enter," I call without looking up, assuming it's one of my lieutenants with another progress report.
The scent of jasmine and something darker—magic—fills the room as Avery glides in, her emerald silk dress rustling against the floor. The fabric hugs her curves perfectly, and her golden hair cascades in perfect waves over her shoulders. Even focused on my work as I am, I can't deny she's stunning.
"Hello, darling," she purrs, closing the door behind her with deliberate slowness. Her violet eyes sparkle with mischief as she approaches my desk, hips swaying with practiced seduction.
I don't bother looking up from my paperwork. "I'm busy, Avery." My tone is clipped, businesslike. The last thing I need right now is another of her attempts to seduce me into her bed. "Whatever you want can wait."
She laughs, the sound like silver bells in the quiet room. "Oh, but this can't wait. I have something... interesting to show you."
I continue writing, my pen moving steadily across the page as I document the latest supply requisitions for my growing army. "I'm sure you do. The answer is still no."
"It's about Aubrey."
The pen freezes above the paper, ink pooling at the tip.
My jaw tightens as irritation flares through me.
After yesterday's encounter in the garden, where she provided nothing useful and seemed more concerned with playing princess than fulfilling her purpose, I'm in no mood for more disappointing updates about her progress.
I slam the pen down harder than necessary, ink splattering across the parchment. "What about her?" My voice carries an edge of annoyance as I finally look up at Avery.
Avery's smile widens, revealing perfect white teeth. "She's been making some very... interesting choices lately." She pauses dramatically, her fingers trailing along the edge of my desk. "Choices that might surprise you."
I lean back in my chair, studying her face. "Get to the point, Avery."
"Oh, impatience doesn't suit you, darling," she teases, though there's an edge to her voice that suggests she's enjoying this too much. "But perhaps you should see for yourself what your precious weapon has been up to tonight."
She waves her hand, and the air above my desk shimmers like heat rising from summer pavement. The scent of magic grows stronger, making my nostrils flare. Dark energy coalesces into a viewing portal, the surface rippling like disturbed water.
Through the magical window, I see a moonlit clearing surrounded by towering pines. Knox kneels in the moss, holding a ring that catches the starlight like captured fire. In his other hand, a bouquet of deep red roses trembles slightly.
"Will you marry me?" Knox's voice carries through the magical connection, clear and desperate.
My pulse quickens as I realize what's happening—an opportunity I never dared hope for has just presented itself. This could be even better than anything I'd planned.
As Knox's wife, as the future Luna Queen, Aubrey would have access to everything—private council meetings where military strategies are discussed, intimate family dinners where secrets spill like wine... She needs to say yes. She has to see what this means.
Then I hear Aubrey's laughter—sharp, incredulous, mocking. My stomach drops.
"No," her voice carries clearly through the magical connection. "Absolutely not."
Rage explodes through my chest like wildfire. What the fuck is she doing? My mind races through everything she's just destroyed with that single word.
I watch in growing fury as she walks away from Knox's desperate pleas, her chin held high, completely abandoning the mission I've spent years positioning her for.
The fool is letting her emotions override her purpose, throwing away years of careful planning because of what—pride? Some misguided sense of honor?
My hands clench into fists, the leather of my gloves creaking under the pressure. My wolf snarls in agreement with the rage building in my chest. How dare she defy my plan? How dare she waste this golden opportunity because of some misguided loyalty or stubborn pride?
She was supposed to be my masterpiece, my perfect weapon forged in the fires of loss and loyalty. Instead, she's revealed herself to be nothing more than a foolish girl who can't see beyond her own emotions to the larger picture.
"Foolish girl," I mutter, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "She needs to be reminded of her place."