Chapter 13

The whisper echoed again inside Seraphine’s mind.

“You failed us.”

Her hand flew to her sleeve as the black vial burned against her skin. She gasped, stumbling backward. The movement didn’t escape Lucienne’s notice.

“What are you hiding?” he asked sharply.

Seraphine quickly lowered her hand. “Nothing.” But before she could take another step, the vial slipped from her sleeve and shattered on the council floor. Silver liquid spread across the stone, releasing a strange scent that made the priestess’s face turn white.

“The truth serum…” the priestess whispered. “Who gave you this?”

Every eye turned to Seraphine.

Selena stared at the broken glass. “That’s what was on my bracelet.” Her voice cracked. “You framed me…”

Seraphine shook her head frantically. “No… I didn’t… I…” Her words tangled together as panic took over. She hadn’t meant for the vial to break.

Luna Alara slowly stepped toward her eldest daughter. “Seraphine…” Her voice trembled with disbelief. “Tell me she’s lying.”

Tears filled Seraphine’s eyes. “Mother, I only wanted Lucienne to stop looking at her. I never wanted anyone to die.” The confession struck the room like lightning.

Selena stood frozen. She had waited her entire life for someone to believe her, yet hearing the truth from her own sister only left her heart aching.

Lucienne’s expression hardened. “Lady Seraphine SilverMist, until we uncover the full truth, you will remain confined to the royal tower under guard.” Two Bloodfang warriors stepped forward immediately.

“No!” Luna Alara cried, rushing between them. “She’s my daughter!” Her eyes pleaded with Lucienne. “Please… don’t lock her away.”

Lucienne’s voice remained firm. “Your other daughter has suffered because of her lies.” He looked at Seraphine without anger, only disappointment. “Actions have consequences.”

Seraphine looked desperately at Luna Alara as the guards took hold of her arms. “Mother… please…” Luna Alara reached for her, but the guards gently pulled Seraphine away. Her cries echoed through the corridor until the heavy iron doors slammed shut behind her.

Silence settled over the chamber. Luna Alara slowly turned toward Selena, tears streaming down her face. “I failed you again.” She reached for Selena’s hand. “I protected the wrong child while the one I kept blaming suffered alone.” Selena couldn’t bring herself to answer. She simply stepped back, too wounded to accept the apology.

She walked away crying till she found herself at the palace garden, she wished everyone could stop doubting her forever.

Lucienne waited until the council chamber had emptied before walking into the palace garden. He found Selena standing beneath the willow tree, staring at the moonstone pendant in her hand. She didn’t look up when she heard his footsteps.

“I know you’re there,” she said quietly.

Lucienne stopped a few feet away. For the first time since they had met, he looked unsure of himself.

“I owe you an apology.”

Selena finally turned to face him. “Which one?” she asked, unable to hide the hurt in her voice. “For doubting me… or for making everyone else doubt me too?”

Her words struck him harder than any blade.

“I failed you,” Lucienne admitted. “I let evidence speak louder than my wolf… louder than my heart.” He lowered his head. “You deserved better from your mate.”

A tear escaped before Selena could stop it. “Every time I thought you finally believed me… something happened, and you looked at me like I was a stranger.” She laughed bitterly. “Do you know how much that hurt?”

Lucienne closed the distance between them. “I know now.” He gently took her trembling hands into his. “And if I could erase that pain, I would.”

She searched his face for doubt.

There wasn’t any.

“I’m sorry, Selena.”

The words were simple, but they were the first apology she had ever received from someone who had truly broken her heart.

“I don’t know if I can forget everything,” she whispered.

“I’m not asking you to.”

His thumb brushed gently across her knuckles.

“I’m asking for the chance to make it right.”

Before Selena could answer, Darius stepped into the garden. His smile faded the moment he saw Lucienne holding her hands. He had spent days protecting her while his brother questioned her, and now everything had changed again.

Lucienne looked at him before speaking.

“Until we uncover who’s truly behind all of this, Selena will no longer stay in the SilverMist wing.” His voice left no room for argument. “She’ll stay in my chambers.”

Darius’s expression tightened.

“In your room?” he repeated.

Lucienne nodded.

“My enemies have already entered this palace. She’s safest where I can protect her myself.”

Darius’s jaw clenched.

“Or where you can keep an eye on her?”

The brothers locked eyes.

Lucienne didn’t look away.

“She’s my mate.”

“And she’s also someone who deserves to make her own choice,” Darius replied sharply.

The garden fell silent.

Both men turned toward Selena.

For the first time…

The decision belonged to her.

Selena looked from Lucienne to Darius, her heart twisting. “I’m grateful that both of you want to protect me,” she said softly. “But I don’t want to become the reason you fight.” She took a slow breath before meeting Lucienne’s eyes. “I’ll stay in your chambers… not because I’m afraid, but because whoever is behind this keeps finding me. Maybe staying with you will stop them.”

Relief flickered across Lucienne’s face, though he tried not to show it. “No one will touch you again,” he promised. Darius forced a smile, but it never reached his eyes. “I hope you’re right.” He looked at Selena. “If you ever need me, day or night, send for me. I’ll come.”

Lucienne noticed the look that passed between them. It was brief, but enough to make his wolf stir uneasily. He placed a protective hand against Selena’s back. “I’ll have your things moved before sunset.” Selena nodded, though she couldn’t ignore the disappointment on Darius’s face as he quietly walked away.

She watched him disappear down the garden path. “I hate hurting him,” she whispered. Lucienne followed her gaze. “Darius has always cared too much for people.” After a pause, he added quietly, “But you’re my mate, Selena. I won’t apologize for wanting you close.”

Selena managed a faint smile. “Then promise me something.” Lucienne raised an eyebrow. “What?” She held his gaze. “No more doubts. If the whole kingdom accuses me again, ask me first before believing anyone else.” Without hesitation, Lucienne slipped his hand into hers. “I swear it. From this moment on, I’ll stand beside you until the truth is uncovered.”

As they walked back toward the palace, Selena suddenly stopped. “There’s somewhere I need to go first.” Lucienne frowned. “Where?” She hesitated only a moment. “To see Seraphine.”

Lucienne’s expression hardened. “After everything she’s done?” Selena nodded slowly. “She’s still my sister. I need to hear the truth from her… not as enemies, but as sisters.”

Without waiting for an answer, Selena turned and walked toward the tower where Seraphine was being held. Behind the iron door, Seraphine slowly lifted her head as footsteps echoed along the corridor. A faint smile touched her lips. “I knew you’d come,” she whispered. “But you’re already too late.”