novelraw Chapter 1462 - 61 : Biding Time
Chapter 1462 - 61 : Biding Time
*Rhys*
I paced the length of my chamber, the stone walls feeling like they were pressing in on me. I felt trapped, caged. I was waiting for a predator I could not outfight or outrun, and every moment it sunk its claws deeper into my flesh.
Axureon was out there somewhere—Saoirse was out there somewhere—his return uncertain. Everything was uncertain. I needed to find her—them.
"Still pacing, Rhys?" came a voice from the doorway. Daxton was finally on the mend after Alexa’s unexpected attack. I did not understand what she thought she had to gain. Still, Daxton’s presence was only a small comfort. Saoirse was gone, and I had no way of finding her to explain what happened and beg for forgiveness.
"Still trying to figure out what to do with myself," I replied, my voice laced with an edge of frustration. My heart clenched at the thought of Saoirse, my fierce Saoirse. I thought about what she must have felt when I failed to appear for our wedding—the abandonment and betrayal. Her absence now was a void no title or duty could fill.
"Waiting here isn’t going to bring her back," I muttered more to myself than Daxton. "Alexa’s gone mad, and Saoirse... I can’t let her think I’ve given up on us."
"Then don’t wait," Daxton said simply, leaning against the door frame with a calm resolve that contrasted sharply with the tempest within me.
"Blackstone’s shadow looms over Hunters Glen, threatening the only home Saoirse has ever known. Even if her father has shunned her, she’ll go back. She has to." So I would be there in Hunters Glen waiting.
"Rhys, you know the risks," Dax cautioned, but his eyes held a spark of rebellion that matched my own.
"Risks be damned," I spat out, the wolf within me growling in agreement. "I will not stand idle while those I care for are in danger. I won’t be the heir who watched from the safety of his tower. I need... I need her. I cannot sit here and just hope. She will return to Hunters Glen, I’m sure of it."
"Then we make plans, quietly," Daxton suggested, a conspiratorial gleam in his eye. He understood the game of court politics as well as the art of war. "You need to be there before Blackstone and anyone suspects your move. I doubt word will get back to Saoirse, but we should still tread carefully."
"Agreed." I nodded, feeling the weight of my future actions settle upon my shoulders. "I’ll leave under the cover of night, taking only those I trust."
"Trust is a rare coin these days," Daxton reminded me, his voice low.
"Then I’ll spend it wisely," I assured him.
My thoughts scattered as I approached the grand archways leading to the throne room. My pulse quickened, not from the brisk walk but from the anticipation of the confrontation that awaited me. The double doors loomed before me.
"Father, Mother," I greeted, inclining my head respectfully toward the rulers of our realm.
"Rhys," my father acknowledged, his voice echoing in the vastness of the hall. "What brings you before us?"
"The threat of war creeps near Hunters Glen," I began, my gaze steady. "I ask for your permission to return there, oversee our defenses, and prepare for Pyroth’s potential assault."
My mother’s brow furrowed, her lips a thin line of concern. Before she could speak, the heavy doors burst open again. Malcolm strode in, his stride betraying an urgency that matched the vicious glint in his eye.
"Cousin," he said, nodding curtly to me before turning his attention to the king and queen. "Why do we wait like sheep for the wolf? We should strike first and infiltrate the dragon realm before Pyroth can gather his strength."
A murmur of interest stirred among the courtiers lining the walls. I wondered how he had heard of my plan. We had been quiet and careful.
"Malcolm," my father said, his voice firm yet contemplative, "your boldness is noted, but we must consider all paths with caution."
"Caution has its place," Malcolm countered, "but so does action. We risk too much by waiting."
I watched my cousin, the familiar flicker of ambition in his eyes. I wondered if he sought glory or genuinely believed in his aggressive strategy.
"Indeed, action is necessary," I agreed, finding common ground. "But let it be measured and precise. The dragons that were once near Hunters Glen are our first line of defense, and I will ensure it stands strong."
King Xander nodded, his expression unreadable. My mother regarded us both. The air was thick with tension as Malcolm’s challenging gaze darted between my father and me.
"Your Majesty," Malcolm pressed, his voice piercing the silence, "Axureon’s knowledge is invaluable, but can we afford to stake all on the word of one ancient dragon? What if he’s mistaken, or worse, deceitful?"
Father’s eyes shifted thoughtfully as he stroked his chin. "Axureon has proven himself time and again," he began, his tone measured. "Yet, the dragon world is a mystery to us still. It would be folly to enter what might be certain death, which is what Axureon assures will be awaiting us. Their realm is uninhabitable to humans, so the chances of survival are low."
I could feel Malcolm’s unrest, the itch for action that mirrored my own, though our methods differed. I remained silent, watching as my father considered the implications.
"Perhaps," Father conceded after a moment, "a dual approach is warranted. Rhys, you shall continue as planned at Hunte’s Glen. And Malcolm, your eagerness will not go unrewarded. You both will oversee the preparations for Pyroth’s potential incursion."
"Jointly?" Malcolm’s surprise mirrored my own, his voice carrying an undercurrent of triumph. I glanced at him, noting the spark of opportunity alight in his eyes.
"Yes, jointly," Father affirmed with finality. "It is decided."
"Father," I began, my voice steady despite the storm that raged within, "is this truly wise? To pair me with one whose intentions–"
“It is decided,” my father reiterated, his tone final.
I bit back the protest clawing its way up my throat. Malcolm, with his sleek words and sharper ambitions, had seized the moment like a hawk snatching prey from the underbrush. This was what he had been waiting for—a chance to outshine me in the eyes of the king, my father.
I would have to tread carefully, but I would not give up. I needed to find Saoirse, and Hunters Glen was my best chance.
"Thank you, Father," I replied, bowing deeply. "I will not fail you."
I exited the throne room and followed the familiar path back to my quarters. Malcom was just a bump in the road. I would need to keep an eye on him to prevent him from doing more harm than good. But it didn’t change anything. I wouldn’t let it.
Daxton awaited me in the hall outside of my chambers. Seeing my irritation, he inquired about what had happened in the throne room. I relayed the conversation.
"Rhys." Daxton’s hand clasped my shoulder, his grip firm yet reassuring. His gaze held mine. In those deep-set eyes, I glimpsed a silent understanding. "You must trust in the strength of your convictions. Malcolm may seek the throne’s favor, but he is untested."
I shook my head subtly, the weight of everything heavy upon my shoulders. "But in the shadow of Pyroth’s threat, how can we gamble with the safety of the realm? Malcolm’s hunger for power is no secret."
"Exactly," Daxton whispered, leaning closer so only I could hear him. "Once Malcolm faces the true challenge of leadership, when he must choose between glory and duty, his veneer will crack. He will reveal whether he stands for the realm or himself. You and I both know it will be the latter and not the former."
The words seeped into me, cold and sobering. I knew Daxton spoke true. If Malcolm faltered, it would be during the crucible of crisis, and his true colors would bleed through for all to see. I just had to hope it wouldn’t put us in more danger.
"Very well," I conceded, my voice a reluctant murmur.
I entered my chambers alone to pack, think, and form a plan.
I paced the length of my chambers, the stone floor cool beneath my bare feet. My thoughts raced faster than my steps—how to guard against an ancient dragon’s fury, how to shield a realm from the chaos Pyroth would bring. Above all, I thought of Saoirse. Her fiery spirit seemed to mock my inaction. I felt her absence deeply and constantly.
I leaned against the cold glass of the window, searching the night sky for an omen, a sign. But the heavens remained indifferent.
In the morning, we prepared to leave for Hunters Glen. I directed my men with Daxton by my side.
"Rhys," a voice came from behind. It was Malcolm, his tone lacking its usual arrogance. Perhaps he felt the weight of our charge more keenly than he let on.
"Malcolm," I replied without turning. "What do you need?"
"Strategy," he said simply, stepping beside me. His eyes were also drawn to the silvered landscape outside. "We need to be ready for anything. Pyroth won’t wait for us to feel prepared."
"Indeed," I murmured, my mind seizing upon his words. An opportunity might present itself in many forms, even as an alliance with the cousin I distrusted. "But there are other concerns. We must ensure the people’s safety."
"Of course." He nodded, though I sensed his ambition simmering beneath his feigned concern.
As Malcolm’s ambitious gaze lingered on the horizon, a heavy silence settled between us. “Was there something else you needed?”
Malcolm hesitated for a moment before speaking, his usual facade of arrogance cracking slightly, though I doubted its sincerity. "Rhys, I know we have not always seen eye to eye, but our realm’s future is at stake here. I may not agree with all your decisions, but I will not stand idly by while a known threat gathers its forces and readies for attack.”
I studied Malcolm’s face, searching for any hint of deception or ulterior motive. His words seemed sincere, but I had learned not to trust too easily in times of uncertainty. "Your loyalty to the realm is commendable, Malcolm," I finally said, choosing my words carefully. "We must set aside our differences for the time being. The realm is at stake.”
Malcolm’s gaze met mine, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Agreed," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "We shall stand together to protect our realm and its people."
I acknowledged him with a nod, silently grateful for even the semblance of unity, even if I didn’t truly trust it.
There was more at stake for me. My heart raced with the thought of Pyroth’s imminent arrival, but I also knew this was my chance to prove myself. I needed to bide my time until Saoirse inevitably returned to Hunters Glen. I needed to find a way to intercept her and show my worth to her, the realm, and myself.
My mind buzzed with plans and strategies, eager to see her again. I needed to show her I still believed in us, still wanted this, and still needed her.