Chapter 7

LYRA POV:

Lyra huddled up against the cold stone wall of the guest room, panting. Scarcely had the heavy wood door shut behind her when she began trembling, something that she had tried to keep from Marcus and his men.

She shook as she tried to undo her cloak. the dark material fell to the floor. she stared at it, remembering how it had lashed around her when she knelt outside. she was a princess, yet she had been forced to kneel before a man who hated her people.

The basin of water on the wooden surface reflected her pale face. She wore dark circles under her purple eyes, and her lips were washed out. She splashed cold water on her cheeks, trying to wash away the shame that scorched underneath her skin.

"Princess," the name tasted bitter on her tongue. what kind of princess begged other people to guard her from her foes?

A tap, and he thought. "My lady?" a voice young and respectful and hesitant.

"Come in."

The door creaked open onto a girl of around sixteen, dark-haired, green-eyed like the people from the northern peaks. She carried a tray of bread, cheese, and what looked like vension stew.

"Lunch has been sent by Lord Thornfield," the girl replied, placing the tray on the little table. "I'm Mira. I'll be looking after your needs during your stay."

Lyra nodded, observing the girl's movements. Mira moved with the guarded beauty of one who had learned to wait on alphas, her head lowered, her shoulders slouched respectfully. Another omega, Lyra understood. In the Northern ranges' wolf packs, where power was the only currency, omega women learned to make themselves invisible.

"Thank you," Lyra spoke softly. "the food smells wonderful."

Mira's eyes leaped upwards, surprise passing over he fearless. "You. you're welcome my lady."

The girl walked away, but Lyra caught her arm gently. "Wait. I'd prefer someone to accompany me."

Mira flinched, unsure. "I have to go.The alpha expect you.

"The alpha expects me to eat and rest," Lyra interrupted. "you are assisting me with both."

A small smile curved on Mira's lips. She didn't shift from her seat, though her back relaxed somewhat. "Is it a fact, my lady, that you came here alone?"

"Yes."

"But why? Everyone knows the families have ill blood between them. Were you not frightened?"

Lyra ripped a piece of bread, having no desire but her hands must be occupied. "Fearful," she replied. "But fear does not hinder what needs to be done."

"My mom used to tell me that fear was an omega worst enemy," Mira breathed softly. "That if we let it, it would weaken us."

"Your mom was smart. What happened to her?"

"Killed in a border attack two years back.She was trying to protect the children when the south pack attacked." Mira's voice remained steady, but her knuckles whitened as she clenched her fists. "Lord Thornfield found me later. Offered me a job here to work. On purpose."

Lyra set the bread aside, her throat closing. "I'm sorry you lost someone."

"Thank you my lady. But." Mira looked towards the door, then at Lyra. "May i ask something?"

"Of course."

"Is it true what they say? That your're going to marry Lord Thornfield?"

The words hit Lyra like a physical blow. Marriage. The word which had hung above her head like a sword for all but a year now, every day seeing it weigh more and more.

"I've offered him one thing," she replied guardedly. "We'll see if he takes it."

"But you would like for him to?"

Lyra took a step away from the little window and looked out into the yard below. Marcus's men went about with militay deliberation, checking weapons, cinching armor, preparing to fight. Their alpha had given them a goal, a reason to fight for. How much her life could hve been different if she'd had their strength, their conviction.

"I want to live," she asserted finally. "I want justice to be served. If marriage is the price of both, then yes, I want him to accept."

"Even if he's dangerous?"

Lyra turned to consider the girl once more. "Dangerous how?

"I." Mira stalled. "I think he is a man of a great deal of violence. But he has a great deal of kindness. He could have left me to die, but he didn't. He gave me shelter. Maybe then the risk is crossing him, and not trusting him."

A commotion outside the courtyard caused them to turn from the window once more. Marcus strode across the stone, his greatcoat billowing behind him. From where she stood, Lyra could feel the tension in the muscles of his shoulders, the hunter's grace of his movements. he was magnificent, and a horror.

"He's gorgeous," Mira breathed.

"He's deadly," Lyra corrected herself, but her voice lacked conviction.

Marcus halted in mid-courtyard and looked up, his sharp green eyes sweeping the windows. and caught Lyra's eye. and stare sent a shiver down her spine. He didn't smile, but for that brief instant, it felt like they both just get it.

"My lady," Mira breathed, "What if he says no to your proposal?"

"A scecret message fell out of her bag, from her spymaster in the capital. She had just received it before she traveled to the Northern peaks. The words in the latter frightened her."

Princess.

Your brother grows frustrated. Already he has begun gossiping about your inability to fulfill your responsibilities. The council grows upset. You have possibly eight months before they deem you fit not to rule and Kael will take the throne. And be warned, palace servants report strange men inquiring about your whereabouts. Travel cautiously.

Eight months. The number echoed in her mind like a knell of death. Eight months to acquire an alpha husband, return to court, and somehow survive long enough to bring Kael's claim to an end.

"My lady?" Mira's voice seemed to be echoing from a very distant place.

"If he doesn't," Lyra said, her tone resolute even as her mind spun with alternatives, "then I'll come up with something else."

"What else?"

Lyra's fingers grazed the narrow blade she had hidden in her sleeve, a gift from her weapons master, who'd taught her how to fight despite the council's disapproval. "There's always another way."

The door creaked open without bidding. marcus filled the doorway with his height. Mira dropped at once into a cursty, forehead bent.

"Out," he commanded.

"Yes my lord." Mira took off without a word and left Lyra to deal with the alpha by herself.

Marcus closed the door and leaned against it, his arm wrapped. "We have something to talk about."

"About?"

"About the fact that you are not saying all you know." He relaxed back from the door, walking across to her with fluid ease. "My men have heard that you brother's men have been moving for three days."

"They did not just follow you on impulse. This was premeditated."

Lyra forced herself not to move from where she stood as he walked towards her, though every instinct in her cried out for her to leave. "What are you implying?"

"I' suggesting that Princess Lyra Raven Crest is in more trouble than she confessed." He stood close enough that she could feel his warmth, smell the scent of leather and metal that clung to him. "I'm suggesting that coming here wasn't just about forging an alliance. it was about fleeing from something."

"I don't run."

"No?" His hand flashed out, faster than she could prevent it, and pulled the letter from her bag. "Then what is this?"

Lyra dove for the letter, but Marcus held it above her head, his height advantage making it too difficult for her to reach. "Give that back."

"Eight months," he read. "Palace servants report odd men asking questions. Travel wisely." He laid the letter aside, his green eyes flashing into hers. "How long have you been planning to run off, Princess?"

"I haven't."

"Don't lie to me." His tone dropped to a snarl, and she felt his alpha power against her, demanding submission. "I can scent a lie from you. You're here because you're in need, not because you desire an alliance." "You just need me."

The words burned her like a slap. Lyra stood tall, her gaza shielding his despite the power streaming from him."yes. I need you. Is that what you want to hear?"

"It's a beginning."

"I need you because my brother is tracking me. Because the council will declare me unfit in eight months if i don't find an alpha husband. because I have nowhere else to turn." The words tumble out of her, months of frustration and fear spilling over. "I need you because I'm an omega in a world that judges weakness as a death sentence."

Marcus stared at her face, his own a mask. "And what do i det in return for saving you?"

"Everything." She pulled the ducument from her cloak, the proof she'd assembled against Kael. "As i said previously, every secret, every weakness, every bit of leverage i'v accumulated. Total access to the castle, the throne, the ability to destory everyone who hurt you."

"Even you?"

The question lay between them. Lyra raised her head, looking directly at him. "Include me, if that is what justice demands."

Marcus stood still for a long time, his eyes scanning her face. Then he drew back. giving her room to breathe

"My men are taking ride down," he said to me. "If you're riding with me, you follow my orders without question." No princess privileges, no favours. Can you do that?"

"I can do whatever you want me to do."

"Good." He headed towards the door, then turned back. "One more thing, Princess.

"Yes?"

"Stop saying 'need'. This ain't a second best. It's two grown folks choosing each other. Big difference."

He left her by herself in the room, the letter still clutched tightly in her shaking hand. Outside, the wind whipped between the peaks, promising snow and blood.

In response to the interval of eight months, she would reign over the kingdom or be dead. the burden of the omega had never fallen more heavier.