05 Defiance

I suddenly wake up with a feeling deep in my gut. I look around my dark room, the moon is still high in the sky and everything seems quiet and peaceful.

Deceptively so.

The air in Lilac Palace is still, too still for my taste. Outside my window, moonlight spills from across the courtyard, illuminating the delicate lilacs in the vase by the window, a soft breeze sways the blooms gently.

It should be a peaceful sight but unease prickles at the back of my neck.

Something's wrong. I just know it.

Without a second thought, I leap out of bed and throw on a robe before stepping out of my chambers. My feet carry me down the hall before I even fully register why, my instincts taking the lead. The palace is quiet at this hour but I trust my instincts.

They haven't failed me yet. I just failed myself because I didn't follow and trusted them before.

That's when I heard it.

A scuffle. A sharp curse. Some heavy footfalls against polished marble.

I move faster, rounding the corner, and nearly collide with Sanders, who looks as put-together as ever, despite the evident tension in his jaw. His dark eyes meet mine and without a word, he gestures toward the entrance hall.

We arrive just in time to see Casimir shove the heavy double doors open, making a break for it. He's fast–faster than any normal Were(faster than me, that's for sure), his movements fluid and precise.

But Sanders is faster. His twelve-year-old self is no match against an adult. In one swift motion, my butler steps into his path and slams the gate of my palace shut with a creaky but decisive boom.

Casimir skids to a halt, his breathing heavy, golden eyes burning with fury as he looks around for another way out. Before he can make another run for it, Sanders' hand whips about like a coiled snake, making a grab for Casimir's arm.

"Don't make me activate the shackles, boy," Sanders growls a threat when Casimir looks like he's going to struggle out of the butler's hold.

With great reluctance, he didn't struggle. His chest rises and falls in sharp bursts, his lean muscles taut beneath the rough fabric of his slave's tunic. He's like a caged predator, ready to strike, teeth bared in frustration.

I make my way towards them, taking my time and folding my arms as soon as I stand in front of them.

"Going somewhere?" I ask, my voice calm and steady despite the intense beating of my heart.

I was so terrified at the thought of Casimir leaving my palace. I mean, I know Casimir will try to escape sooner or later, but I didn't expect he was going to do it just hours after he arrived at my palace.

Casimir's head snaps toward me, his gaze filled with defiance. "I don't belong here."

I tilt my head at that. "And where exactly do you belong?"

"Anywhere but here," he snarls, his fingers curling into fists. "I won't be your pet, Princess. I'd rather die."

I cross my arms over my chest. "I never asked you to be, though?"

His lips curl into a sneer at that. "If you mean that, then let me go."

I sigh, lowering my arms and shifting my weight. I expected this...even though he took action sooner than I thought. I know he was never going to sit still and accept his circumstances–not after everything he's been through. And I know I can't even blame him.

But...I can't let him leave. At least not yet.

"You are free inside Lilac Palace," I say, my voice calm but firm. "But if you leave, I can't protect you."

Casimir scoffs, golden eyes flashing with mockery and disbelief. "Protect me?" He lets out a bitter laugh. "From what? Your kind?"

I hold his gaze and answer without hesitation, " Yes."

He stills, obviously caught off guard by my honesty. He probably didn't expect me to admit that my kind are awful shifters. For a moment, I see a flicker of something in his eyes, hesitation, curiosity...doubt.

However, it's gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by cold indifference.

"I don't need your protection," he snarls.

Sanders shifts beside me, silent but watchful. I can feel him bristle in annoyance at how Casimir treats me but I know he knows me well enough by now to understand that I'm letting Casimir do this to me for a reason.

I won't threaten Casimir. I won't punish him. That's obviously not the way for me to gain his trust and prove myself that I'm on his side.

"I believe that you don't need my protection, yes," I simply say with a nod. "But that doesn't change the fact that if you're caught outside these walls, you'll be dragged back in chains. Or worse. If you're caught and they know you're mine and I let you escape, I'll be deemed unqualified to have my own servant. Do you want to become the servants of my siblings instead? If so..." I turn to Sanders and nod.

Sanders' jaw clenches but he gives me a curt nod and opens the gate.

"Be my guest," I say as I gesture outside. "But think about it, you saw how my brothers and sisters are capable of back at the throne room. You saw how they treat their sla...the Lycans."

Casimir's jaw tightens. He knows what I'm saying is true. No Lycan has ever escaped the capital and lived to tell the tale. And given who I am, given my family's reputation, there would be no mercy for a runaway slave.

If he ran, they wouldn't just punish him. They'd make an example of him.

"You don't control me," he mutters but there's less conviction in his voice now than before.

I step closer, lowering my voice. "I don't want to. Do you want me to give you the Royal's Oath to prove to you that I'm telling the truth? Because I will."

Casimir stiffens at that and Sanders whips his head towards me, aghast.

Before he can stop me, I put my hand over my heart and close my eyes.

"I, Alina Valerius of the Lunareth Kingdom, hereby pledge the Royal's Oath to ensure the safety and protection of my loyal and sincere servants from me. I shall ensure their basic needs are met and shall be freed from this oath once my true followers are satisfied under my employ."

As soon as I finish the Oath, a glowing golden script of my name appears just above my left chest. A mark of power, trust, and absolute authority.

I look at Casimir straight in the eyes.

"Do you believe me now when I said that you will be better off in my protection?"