THE EMPTY THRONE

Elaris's POV

The intercepted letter is still lying open on Averic's desk after the messenger has gone.

The candles had burned low, leaving a pool of hot wax at the base of each candle.

Elaris stands in front of the desk, unable to keep reading the last line of the letter.

"Come at the blood moon. The throne will be empty."

She reads it again.

Then a third time.

The warning hasn't lost any of its menace, if anything, now the palace has fallen silent, it sounds almost welcoming.

Averic stands by the desk, his fingers idly tracing the parchment as he reads over her shoulder.

"The Blackthorn Alpha had received this before we intercepted our copy," he eventually says.

Elaris looks up sharply.

"So this wasn't for you?"

"No.

Then whoever sent it expected someone else to intercept it. Averic nods. "And thought me too preoccupied to notice.

Elaris's eyes flicker towards the adjoining door.

Maevra is alive.

The child is alive.

But neither feel safe.

She touches her stomach.

"What happens if they believe it?"

Averic's gaze drops to her stomach.

"If they believe the letter, they may come here expecting to find an empty throne."

"And if they find you still sitting on it?"

His expression darkens.

"Then they'll have to decide whether to challenge me openly."

Elaris looks up at the line again.

The blood moon feels much closer than it did yesterday.

Averic has already anticipated the possibility.

Several messages have been carefully laid across the desk.

Elaris recognises the markings of different outer territories.

Averic picks up a couple of the letters and carefully examines the seals before turning to another.

"I sent riders before dawn."

"To all seven?"

"To the three I trust completely."

He picks up another letter and examines the seal.

"The rest will be delivered by other means."

Elaris watches him closely.

"How much time?"

"Eleven days."

Her throat tightens.

"Until the blood moon?"

"Yes.

Eleven days to convince seven territories that the Alpha line runs true.

Eleven days to keep Maevra alive.

Eleven days to discover who is orchestrating the letters.

Eleven days to protect an unborn child that has already become a political target.

Averic looks out of the window.

"If even two outer packs answer Virelle's invitation, the others will begin calculating whether I can hold the territory."

Elaris moves towards the desk.

"And how many do you think will come?"

"I don't know."

She is surprised by his answer.

Averic rarely expresses uncertainty.

He rests a hand against the wall.

"I've spent years making sure the pack knows exactly where I stand.

I didn't expect someone to spend months writing a story about where I would fall."

Averic meets her gaze.

"They want everyone to believe you've already lost.

"Yes.

"And the blood moon will be when they intend to make them all believe it."

Elaris remains standing by the desk.

One question burns inside her since reading the letter in the archive.

"If the outer packs believe that letter, will they challenge you openly?"

Averic does not immediately answer.

Instead, he walks back towards the desk and picks up one of the letters.

"Some will wait.

He sets the letter down.

"Some will send representatives to judge the situation.

And some," he says, picking up another letter, "may decide that uncertainty is an opportunity."

Elaris frowns.

"Would they really attack an Alpha they haven't confirmed is weakened?"

"They won't have to confirm it first.

Averic looks directly at her.

"A challenge can begin with a demand.

"A demand for what?"

"Access to the territory. Control over the council. A temporary regency. An investigation into the succession."

Elaris's fingers tighten against the edge of the desk.

"So they could dismantle your authority without drawing a sword."

"Exactly."

The prospect of an open challenge feels far more frightening than an invading army.

A blade is an obvious threat.

Political pressure can seep in through every door.

Averic exhales heavily.

"That is why I need the truth before the blood moon."

Elaris looks at him.

"And if you don't find it?"

His gaze moves towards Maevra's chamber.

"Then I'll have to face whoever comes anyway."

They return to Maevra's chamber.

The healers have completed the morning treatment and her complexion is slightly better than it was throughout the night.

There is more colour in her face, though her breathing remains troubled.

Harwin approaches them near the bed.

"She has responded to the counter-treatment."

Elaris immediately moves closer to the bed.

"Is she waking?"

"Not yet."

"Then how do you know she's improving?"

"Her body is fighting instead of simply enduring."

Elaris releases a breath she hadn't realised she was holding.

Harwin adjusts the blanket.

"The next several hours matter."

Averic asks, "Could the poison still kill her?"

Harwin does not pull any punches.

"Yes.

Elaris's relief is instantly replaced by concern.

"But her chances are better now than they were yesterday."

Averic nods.

Harwin leaves to prepare another treatment.

Elaris takes her usual seat and slips her hand into Maevra's.

The woman's fingers are as limp as ever.

Elaris gently rubs them between her own hands.

"I'm here."

There is no sign of response.

She leans closer to the bed.

"You don't get to leave yet.

A faint smile touches Maevra's lips.

"You still owe me another story about Averic as a boy."

Averic remains quietly by the bed, watching as Elaris continues to gently rub Maevra's hands.

At first, Elaris assumes he will leave as soon as the healers finish, but he does not.

Instead, he sits himself down on the opposite side of the bed.

For a long while, neither of them speak.

Maevra's breathing fills the room.

In.

Out.

Pause.

In again.

Elaris watches the way Averic looks at her.

Unencumbered by the Alpha court, he appears less untouchable.

More like the son of a woman fighting to survive.

His fingers lie against his knee and every so often his gaze flickers towards Maevra's face.

Finally, Elaris says, "You should sleep."

"So should you."

"I can't."

"Neither can I.

There is a pause.

This time it does not feel like a fight.

It feels more like exhaustion.

Averic looks at his mother.

"She always survived everything."

Elaris meets his gaze.

"She still can."

"I know."

He pauses.

"But knowing isn't the same as believing."

Elaris understands.

He is afraid.

Not as an Alpha.

As a son.

She reaches across the bed and adjusts Maevra's blanket.

"She heard you earlier."

Averic looks at her.

"She did?"

"She opened her eyes when you spoke."

His expression softens.

"Then I'll keep speaking."

For the first time since Maevra became ill, Elaris sees something gentler settle over Averic's face.

The silence stretches on.

Eventually, it is too long for Elaris to bear.

She looks at Averic.

"I'm tired."

"Of what?"

"Being protected from a distance."

Averic remains where he is.

Elaris continues.

"You put guards outside my door. You send messages without telling me what they say. You decide where I should be, when I should move, who should approach me."

"I was trying to keep you safe."

"I know."

She takes a breath.

"But safety isn't the same as being included."

Averic looks down.

Elaris's voice softens.

"If this child is truly yours, I need more than guards."

His attention returns to her.

“I need you beside me.”

The words cost her.

She looks towards Maevra.

"I have spent too much of my life standing alone while the people I loved decided what was best for me."

Averic's expression shifts.

"I don't want to do that to you."

"Then don't."

He says nothing.

Elaris meets his eyes.

"When danger comes, don't send me away because you're afraid. Tell me what you're facing."

Averic nods slowly.

"You're right."

Her chest tightens.

She expected resistance.

Not agreement.

He reaches towards the table but stops himself before touching her.

"I can protect you without shutting you out."

Elaris looks at him.

"Then prove it."

Averic's gaze remains on hers.

There is something he has been refusing to say.

Finally, he does.

"I was afraid."

Elaris's expression changes.

"Of what?"

"That claiming the child publicly would make the threat worse."

He looks towards her abdomen.

"Everyone knows what the Alpha heir means. If our enemies were already watching you, acknowledging the child would give them another reason to come after you."

Elaris listens.

Averic continues.

"I thought if I kept the pregnancy quiet, I could protect both of you."

"You thought secrecy would make us invisible."

"Yes.

"And now?"

"Now I understand that secrecy made you vulnerable."

He pauses.

"And it made you believe I was ashamed of the child."

Elaris's eyes sting.

"I never wanted you to hide us."

"I know."

Averic's voice becomes quieter.

"I should have stood beside you before you had to ask."

The admission reaches somewhere inside her that anger has protected for too long.

She is not ready to forgive him.

But she is ready to hear him.

"You're going to have to learn how to stand there," she says.

Averic gives a faint nod.

"Then I'll learn."

The baby moves beneath Elaris's ribs.

She places her hand over the spot.

Averic notices immediately.

"Again?"

She nods.

Elaris hesitates.

Then she reaches across the bed.

This time, she takes his hand deliberately.

She places it against her abdomen.

Averic goes completely still.

The child kicks.

His fingers spread instinctively.

Another movement follows.

A small smile appears at the corner of his mouth.

"He knows me."

Elaris's expression softens.

"Maybe."

Averic keeps his hand there.

"Or maybe he knows I'm supposed to be here."

The words catch her.

She looks at him.

Neither speaks for a moment.

The gesture is simple.

No promise.

No declaration.

No claim before the council.

Yet Elaris feels something inside her loosen.

The wall between them has not disappeared.

But there is a door in it now.

And for once, neither of them is trying to close it.

Averic does not remove his hand.

Elaris does not ask him to.

A knock interrupts the moment.

A guard enters.

"Alpha."

Averic reluctantly withdraws his hand.

"What is it?"

"We have another report from the western patrol."

The guard holds out a sealed document.

"Two outer packs received letters before dawn."

Averic takes it.

"Which ones?"

"Greyfen and Blackthorn."

Elaris watches as he breaks the seal.

The guard continues.

"Blackthorn has already sent a formal request for an audience."

"When?"

"At the next full moon."

Averic's expression becomes guarded.

"That is only days before the blood moon."

"Yes, Alpha."

"Who delivered their request?"

"A neutral courier."

"Where is he?"

"Under guard."

Averic folds the document.

"Was the message sealed?"

"Yes."

"With their official mark?"

"Yes."

Elaris looks at him.

"So they're not hiding."

Averic's eyes narrow.

"No."

He turns towards the guard.

"They want us to know they are watching."

The guard bows.

"Should I prepare a response?"

"Not yet."

The warrior leaves.

Elaris looks at Averic.

"Why invite you to an audience if they intend to challenge you?"

Averic's expression turns grim.

"Because they may want to see whether I arrive as an Alpha…

He pauses.

"…or as a man pretending to still be one."

Averic walks towards the map room adjoining the chamber.

Elaris follows.

The map of the territory is spread across the central table.

Blackthorn sits along the northern border.

The location is strategically ideal.

Elaris studies the marked roads.

"If they come here, how many warriors could they bring?"

"Enough to create a serious problem."

"Would they need permission to enter?"

"No."

Elaris looks up.

"An official audience grants temporary passage."

Her stomach tightens.

"So they could arrive claiming diplomacy and bring armed warriors with them."

Averic nods.

"Which is why the request cannot be treated casually."

He marks the border with his finger.

"This isn't merely an invitation."

"What is it?"

"A test."

Elaris looks towards the northern line.

"Or a threat disguised as one."

Averic's mouth tightens.

"Exactly."

He straightens.

"If Blackthorn believes the letter, they will want to see whether my authority is actually intact."

"And if they discover you're still strong?"

"Then they may reconsider."

"And if they don't?"

Averic looks towards the palace walls.

"Then we will have to convince them before someone else convinces them for us."

Averic begins issuing orders before they leave the map room.

"Prepare the great hall."

The guards move immediately.

"The council chamber as well. I want every entrance monitored."

Another warrior steps forward.

"Border patrols?"

"Double them."

"Which sectors?"

"All northern approaches."

He looks towards Elaris.

"And no unidentified traveler enters the territory without inspection."

"Yes, Alpha."

Within minutes, the palace begins changing.

Warriors move through the corridors carrying weapons.

Messengers ride through the gates.

Servants are instructed to keep certain halls clear.

The great hall is cleaned and prepared for a formal delegation that may never arrive peacefully.

Elaris stands beside a window and watches the movement below.

The palace is still functioning.

Meals are being served.

Healers continue their work.

Guards change shifts.

Yet beneath all of it runs a new current.

Readiness.

Everyone seems to sense that something is coming.

Elaris places her hand over her abdomen.

The child moves faintly.

She whispers, "You're safe."

But she knows the promise is becoming harder to keep.

Averic approaches from behind.

"We'll make sure of it."

She turns.

"We?"

He meets her eyes.

"Yes." The word is simple.

But it matters.

That night, sleep refuses to come.

Elaris lies awake for hours before finally rising.

She pulls a robe around herself and walks towards the window.

The moonlight spills across the gardens below.

Everything appears peaceful.

Too peaceful.

The patrol guards move along the outer path.

Two torches burn near the fountain.

The old oak stands at the edge of the garden, its branches spreading across the stone wall.

Elaris is about to turn away when something catches her attention.

A figure stands beneath the tree.

She stops breathing.

The person isn't wearing the palace guard uniform.

The figure remains completely still.

Elaris moves closer to the glass.

Her heart begins to pound.

The stranger slowly lifts her head.

Moonlight touches her face.

Elaris recognises her immediately.

Virelle.

The woman who was supposed to be confined.

The woman whose rooms had been searched.

The woman whose handwriting appeared on letters sent beyond the palace.

Elaris's hand moves protectively over her abdomen.

"How…"

Virelle smiles.

Then she raises one hand.

A slow, deliberate greeting.

Elaris steps backward.

She reaches for the bell rope beside the window.

Before she can pull it, Virelle points toward Elaris's stomach.

The smile on her face widens.

Then she mouths two words through the glass.

Soon enough.

Elaris's blood turns cold.

She spins towards the bedroom door.

It is locked.

From the corridor outside comes the faint sound of footsteps.

Not one pair.

Several.

And none of them belong to the guards Averic assigned to her.

Virelle was not merely watching from the garden.

She had come for Elaris.

And somehow, she had already gotten inside the palace.