Chapter 18: The Crimson Queen

“No.”

Kael’s voice was barely audible.

He stared at Malachi.

“My mother is dead.”

Malachi shook his head.

“You were taught that.”

“Rowan told me.”

“Rowan lied.”

Kael turned toward Rowan.

“Tell him he’s lying.”

Rowan said nothing.

Kael’s heart sank.

“Tell me.”

Rowan slowly lowered his sword.

“Your mother is alive.”

The words shattered whatever hope Kael had left.

For twenty years, he had believed he was alone.

His parents were dead.

His kingdom was gone.

His family was nothing but ashes and memories.

Now everything had changed.

“Why?”

Rowan’s voice was quiet.

“Because she chose to stay.”

“Stay where?”

“In the Crimson Court.”

Kael stared at him.

“Why would she do that?”

“To keep them from coming after you.”

Malachi laughed bitterly.

“Always the same excuse.”

Kael turned toward him.

“You know the truth.”

“I do.”

“Then tell me.”

Malachi looked toward the crown.

“Your mother became the Crimson Queen because she made a bargain with the Court.”

“What bargain?”

“She gave them the Moon Crown’s location.”

Kael’s eyes widened.

“She betrayed my father?”

“No.”

Malachi’s expression became cold.

“She betrayed herself.”

Kael didn’t understand.

Malachi continued.

“She promised to become their queen if they agreed never to hunt you.”

The room fell silent.

Kael looked at Rowan.

“Is that true?”

Rowan nodded.

“She sacrificed her freedom.”

Kael’s eyes filled with tears.

“All these years…”

His voice broke.

“She was alive.”

“Yes.”

“And I thought she abandoned me.”

“She wanted you to hate her.”

“Why?”

“Because if you loved her, you would search for her.”

Kael closed his eyes.

A tear rolled down his cheek.

Then another.

Lucien stepped closer.

Kael didn’t move away.

Lucien gently took his hand.

“She protected you.”

Kael whispered:

“She lied to me.”

“So did everyone.”

Kael looked at him.

“Does that make it better?”

“No.”

Lucien’s answer was immediate.

“It makes it worse.”

For a moment, Kael simply stood there.

Then the Moon Crown began glowing.

A voice entered his mind.

Find the Queen.

Kael looked toward the distant mountains.

“I’ll bring her home.”

Malachi’s expression hardened.

“You can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because the Crimson Queen isn’t waiting to be rescued.”

He pointed toward the black mountains.

“She has been preparing for your arrival.”

Kael frowned.

“For what?”

Malachi smiled.

“To kill you.”

Silence.

Darius stepped forward.

“You’re lying.”

“I wish I were.”

Malachi looked at Kael.

“Your mother knows the prophecy.”

“What prophecy?”

“That when the Moon King awakens, the three bloodlines will unite.”

Kael looked at the crown.

“And?”

Malachi’s voice dropped.

“Your mother believes your death is the only way to prevent the prophecy.”

Kael’s heart stopped.

Rowan immediately shook his head.

“She would never kill him.”

Malachi stared at him.

“She already chose the same path once.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean?”

Malachi looked toward Darius.

“Ask him what happened to his family.”

Darius froze.

Kael turned to him.

“What does my mother have to do with them?”

Darius slowly looked up.

His face was filled with guilt.

“My family wasn’t sacrificed to hide you.”

Kael’s blood ran cold.

“Then why?”

Darius swallowed.

“They were sacrificed…”

He looked directly at Kael.

“…to create the Crimson Queen.”

The sanctuary fell silent.

Then a distant howl echoed from the mountains.

One by one, hundreds of wolves answered.

And from somewhere far beyond the Black Mountains, a woman’s voice carried through the night.

“Kael.”

His mother had called his name.