THE SHORT WINDOW

Elaris’s POV

They escort me back to the Maevra’s chamber with four of the warriors surrounding me.

Averic walks to my side, close enough that I can hear his rhythm matching his steps but too far away as to speak, for we do not have the luxury of the privacy one might wish to exchange with the person closest to them.

Two council observers trail behind us, their robes brushing along the stone floor as they record every fact they can from our process.

The wing is no longer a private realm.

Warriors watch every turn, healers passing from side to side with trays of medicine and containers of fluids and the doors had become the outer sanctum rather than the inner domain belonging to one family.

One council observer stops Averic and asks if they believe Maevra is stable enough for visitors.

The senior healer responds without addressing Averic’s request.

“She woke herself up. That is all we know.”

I cast a glance at Averic.

He watches the chamber ahead.

The last time we visited the place, Maevra had struggled to hold our conversation.

I know not if the woman within this chamber will give us one final answer or not.

Averic finally looks at me.

“If she grows tired, we leave.

I nod.

He does not say what happens should she remain in her sleep.

The doors open.

Maevra’s eyes open.

So little movement had I nearly thought the change in her to be nothing at all.

Yet then she looks at Averic.

Some of the tension in his frame leaves.

“Mother?”

Her gaze moves from Averic to me.

Then my fingers.

A smile plays at her lips.

It is not a smile of a woman expecting a lie but rather one of reassurance.

A recognition and almost a certainty than either one of us should possess after the events transpiring in these halls.

I step closer, but the healer indicates for me to stop.

Maevra sees me.

Her fingers twitch at the fabric covering her.

Averic moves in closer to his mother.

“You need not speak.

Her expression alters as she listens to his statement.

“I do.

The whisper is light but all those listening inside and outside the chamber hear her words.

The council observers exchange a glance with one another.

The healer looked doubtful.

Maevra’s expression does not alter.

For the first time since this dispute had entered our midst, she is not as invested in the survival of her political standing as she is her son’s understanding of her sacrifice.

Maevra draws several breaths before addressing Averic again.

“Averic.”

“I’m here.”

“The child…”

Her gaze moves to me.

“…Elaris carries…”

She paused, drawing upon whatever reserves of strength she possesses to continue.

“Is the true heir.

There is a hush that falls throughout the chamber.

One of the observers mutters words I am too far from to hear.

Averic does not pull away.

Maevra drew upon her strength for another breath.

“There is no other truth beneath this roof.”

I swallow.

She looks past him, at those listening outside the door, almost as if she wishes for them to hear this next part.

“Any other claim…”

She pauses, her breath catching on a cough.

The senior healer leans closer.

Maevra fights through it in turn, pushing the explanation behind her.

“…was built to survive the blood moon.

She looks back at Averic and continues.

“And after it…”

Her fingers curl weakly against the fabric covering her.

“They’ll discard what remains of the truth.

Averic’s expression has altered but he says nothing.

Maevra does not name the claim she speaks of.

It is understood, this council and all those present, for they had seen firsthand what lengths had been taken to preserve Virelle’s.

Averic leans closer.

“Mother, save your strength.

Maevra shakes her head.

“No.”

Her voice has grown weaker but the command in it remains.

“If I don’t live…”

Averic’s expression tightens.

“Don’t say that.”

“If I don’t live to see the examination…”

She pauses to breathe.

“Protect the real child first.”

Averic does not reply.

Maevra continues.

“Not peace.”

Her gaze remains on his.

“Not reputation.”

Another breath.

“Not the council.”

She looks past him at the observers, almost as if to remind them of her condition as she states the final instruction.

“Child first.”

The choice was not a burden to her.

The way she had said the word made it sound almost like the simplest of requests.

Averic swallows.

“You’re asking me to choose.”

“I am telling you what a mother should never have to say to her son.”

Her voice is almost lost but it carries regardless.

“Choose truth.

No one replies.

The warriors outside have heard enough to realize that these few words, when given more official sanction, would carry greater meaning.

Averic takes her hand.

She clasps his fingers with surprising strength.

“Even if they hate you for it.”

He looks down at her.

“I understand.”

Maevra studies him for a long moment.

“Do you?”

Averic looks up at her.

“Yes.

This time there is no hesitation in him.

Maevra turns to me.

The movement costs her strength.

I move close without regard for the healer’s warnings.

Her fingers fumble across the fabric until they come to rest over mine.

Her hand is impossibly light.

“Elaris.”

“I’m here.”

“Stand.

I blink, unsure I heard her right.

She tightens her grip.

“Whatever comes…”

Her eyes are on me, searching.

“Stand.

“I nod.

“I’m trying.”

“No.

Her voice is not quite as strong but still clear enough for me to hear.

“Don’t try.”

She pauses, then tightens the hold she has on my fingers.

“Do it.”

A tear forms at the corner of my eye but I refuse to let it fall.

Maevra looks down at my stomach again.

“For not only the child.”

I wait.

“For truth.

Those three words cut deeper than any blade I had prepared myself for.

For should I fall, they would decide what had happened here without regard for my survival.

If I stand, they cannot ignore the knowledge they seek to erase.

I will not fall for them.

I will not suffer.

They will not take what is rightfully ours.

“I will stand,” I whisper.

Maevra’s eyes close for a moment.

When she opens them, she nods.

The promise it contains wrings what little strength she has left from her body.

Her breathing alters.

The healer moves to her side.

“That’s enough.”

Averic straightens.

“Mother?”

“Back,” the healer instructs.

Averic refuses to move.

The healer’s tone grows sharper.

“Alpha, now.

He steps back.

Then again.

I am told to do the same.

I obey, though I scarcely move far enough.

Her hand rises from the bed.

It trembles in the space above her.

For one brief instant it seems she might reach for both of us before Averic takes another step closer.

The healer stops him.

Maevra’s hand lowers slowly, back to the fabric beside her.

Her eyes remain closed.

The readings from the monitors to her side fluctuate.

“Her essence is dropping again.”

Murmurs of movement fill the chamber.

The healers adjust the bag beside the bed.

Another checks her breathing.

Averic stands rigid at the foot of the bed, unable to intervene.

I hover several feet from the woman who raised me, powerless to alter this turn of events.

Maevra had been granted an opportunity.

She had seized it.

Now it is her body which fails her, trying to close the door to the world in the very room where we had been granted sanctuary.

The senior healer raises a hand.

“Everyone out.

Averic agrees with a curt nod.

We are escorted out the chamber doors, past the collection of warriors standing vigil within the hall.

I continue to look back at the doors as Maevra’s procession moves away from sight.

“How long?”

The healer removes his gloves with deliberate slowness.

“She has returned to the critical level she was at.”

“Is she conscious?”

“No.

He shakes his head.

“Can she wake again?

The healer hesitates.

“That depends on if her essence can hold.

I look at the doors.

“So she might speak again?”

“She could.

Hope blooms inside me before it is mercilessly crushed.

The healer does not let me linger on the notion.

“We cannot risk another decrease in essence. No visitors. No inquiry. No more conversation.”

Averic nods.

“What happens if she tries to wake?”

“We let her body decide.”

The council observers have lingered close enough to hear what Maevra has said to us.

There is no undoing what has passed.

The senior healer turns to face them.

“You both heard the medical restriction.

One of the observers inclines his head.

“Yes

But I know what they did not understand.

They heard Maevra choose one over the other.

They heard her dictate a priority to Averic and by morning all of Naxos will hear it as well.

Averic walks alongside me as we return to the inner chamber.

The observers trail behind us.

Neither of us speak.

I keep thinking of the things Maevra’s said.

Child first.

Not peace.

Child.

Choose truth.

The final words were for us both but the meaning is not lost on any of the men in this room.

At the bend in the hall leading to the inner chamber, one of the council observers stops Averic and quietly asks if Maevra’s statements will be added to the hearing record.

Averic pauses.

“Yes.

The observer is clearly taken aback by the answer.

“You understand her condition might have an impact on the council’s interpretation of its contents.”

“I understand.

“And that her statements directly contradict Virelle’s claim?

Averic’s expression darkens.

“My mother spoke clearly.

The observer bows his head.

“I only meant—”

“I know what you meant.

Averic continues on his path.

I follow.

The locks on the inner chamber unseal.

For the first time I realize that it is not a safe place

Rather, it is the border to the only place I truly fear reaching

Once past those doors, Averic turns to me.

“Her words will reach Sennik before dawn.

I lower myself onto a chair.

My hands hover over my stomach.

“What will he do with them?”

“What he always does.”

“Interpret them.

Averic nods.

“He will decide if they bolster the council’s censure of Virelle or create another matter requiring political arbitration.”

I watch him.

“And what do they create for you?”

He hesitates.

Then, “A choice I cannot ignore any longer

Those are the words he wishes to say.

You knew this would happen.

I shake my head.

“Not you knew.

You knew the time would come when keeping silent was no longer an option.

He maintains his stare.

“Yes.

“What happens then?

“The council will say my mother has taken sides.

I exhale.

“She has.

“She has also given them a statement they cannot conveniently disregard.”

I lower my gaze.

“And the cost of that decision?”

“It falls to both of us.

There is no absolution in his tone, only the barest hint of a resignation.

For once I find sincerity more appealing than reassurances.

I look up at him.

“Do you believe her?”

He does not ask me which of her statements.

He knows.

I turn away.

“Even what the cup contained?”

“Even that.”

He sounds more firm than I have heard him in a long time.

“My mother would not have wasted the strength to say those things if she did not believe them.

I study his face.

“What does that mean for me?”

“It means I believe you.

The words threaten to undo me.

Not because they carry meaning but because they remove the uncertainty.

No hope, no belief, only clarity.

The council remains exactly what it has always been.

Virelle is a claim with legal standing.

Maevra remains in fragile health.

The examinations have not transpired.

But in this instant, knowing Averic believes me is enough.

Outside the chamber, the warriors shift positions.

The keys turn.

The locks hold.

Still I feel the change in him, as if he senses the difference without truly knowing what it is.

Dawn creeps in through the windows.

With the rising of the sun, reports begin trickling inside the chamber from the main hall.

Neryss is the first to reach us.

She arrives with a guard and her expression is enough to warn me what the news contains.

“Virelle knows.

I look at Averic.

“About Maevra?”

Neryss nods.

“She was informed the Luna had awakened.

“And what she said?”

Another nod.

“She knows as well.

Averic’s expression becomes unreadable.

“What has she done?”

“She has requested formal protection from the council.

“For what reason?”

Neryss looks at me.

“She says she is now a material witness in an affair concerning threats against both pregnancies.

I bite the inside of my cheek.

Neryss continues.

“On top of which, she says Maevra’s statements directly refuted Virelle’s claim of the child’s legitimacy.”

Averic releases a slow breath.

“She anticipated the council’s response.

I shake my head.

“She anticipated your response.

Averic does not disagree.

Neryss lowers her voice.

“She has requested specific council protection for herself until the blood moon.”

Averic’s gaze drifts toward the door.

If Virelle obtains this request, it will cease being a privilege and become a threat.

Virelle will no longer be entirely contained within Averic’s space but granted standing of her own, equal within the halls of power.

The knock sounds before either of us can say anything else.

A council messenger stands in the doorway.

He holds a sealed document stamped with Sennik’s seal.

Averic accepts it.

Breaks the seal.

Reads the contents.

His expression does not alter.

This is far more alarming than if his face had conveyed some form of recognition.

“What is it?

He does not respond immediately.

I rise.

“Averic”

He looks at me.

“The council has taken Virelle’s request under advisement.

“Not the answer you feared.

“No

Averic unfolds the final page and finishes reading.

“They have issued a binding order.

I stare at the man.

“What order?

His gaze meets mine.

“Until the blood-moon examinations are complete, you are to be removed from the private family wing.

I look at Averic.

“Removed?

“You will be placed in a secured guest chamber.

“Under whose protection?

Averic’s silence is answer enough.

“Council guards.

The words cut deeper than I expect.

“Elaris, they will not take their time.

I look at the parchment in his hands.

Council security is not an entirely separate force. They exist as a branch of the royal palace security. If the order had remained within the palace wards, any number of reasons could have explained its contents but the fact that they were removing me at all indicated approval.

It was not enough that they wished to protect me from Maevra’s judgment and Virelle’s threats.

They wished to remove me from the very house containing the evidence needed to decide the matter.

Averic moves closer, stopping just short of touching me.

“If I refuse, they will consider it a direct insult to the council’s orders.”

“And if I agree?

His gaze does not waver.

“They take you out of my protection.

The messenger clears his throat.

“The order is effective as soon as the documents are signed, Alpha.

I look toward the corridor and see the warriors moving, new guards replacing the old and establishing new posts along the walls.

The palace rearranges itself around me but in the shifting chaos, I can always find the space between soldiers where they do not watch me as closely.

Averic folds the parchment and grips it tightly in his fingers.

Finally, the messenger delivers the most damning news.

“Council escort is here to take Elaris Veyne to the guest wing.

I look toward Averic.

For once, it is his role as Alpha that separates us rather than the promise he has made to keep me safe.

He takes one final breath before stepping away from me.

The council has made its decision.

And Averic will suffer for it no matter the outcome.