Chapter Two: The Contract Of Blood

Nobody said a word.

Marcus looked like he was about to faint. Cassian looked like he was going to throw up right on his boots.

"Your Majesty," Marcus stammered, dropping to his knees on the broken wood. "There's a mistake! Her name is Lyra. She's just a stray we took in. She doesn't have a noble bloodline!"

Valen didn't even turn around. He just made a small gesture with his hand, and one of his guards drew his sword halfway out of its sheath. Marcus shut his mouth immediately.

Valen looked back down at me. "Can you walk?"

"I'm not your Queen," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "And I don't need you to save me."

A small smirk appeared on his face. "Good. I don't like weak people."

He grabbed my waist and pulled me close, guiding me out of the ruined room. His guards formed a wall behind us, leaving everyone kneeling in shock.

Ten minutes later, I was sitting inside Valen’s large horse carriage as it bumped down the dirt road, heading north.

Valen stood by the small window, pouring a glass of dark juice. He looked much quieter now, but still intimidating.

"Drink," he said, handing me the glass.

I ignored it and crossed my arms. "Stop acting mysterious. Why did you really take me out of there? You don't know me."

Valen set the glass on the small table. "Fine. Let's talk business."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a rolled-up piece of old, dark paper, tossing it between us.

"Our lands are dying," Valen said, his tone turning serious. "Our magic is fading, and our wolves are sick. The answer to fixing it is inside this treaty."

I looked at the paper. "That's written in the old language."

"Nobody in the kingdom can read it," Valen said, watching me closely. "It was lost centuries ago. But my people told me that Marcus has been winning land fights because a quiet girl in his library has been reading old documents for him."

I froze. He knew what I had been doing.

"So you didn't save me to be nice," I said, narrowing my eyes. "You just need my brain."

"I took you because you are useful," Valen corrected, leaning against the table. "Here's the deal, Lyra: Translate this paper and help me fix my kingdom. In return, I'll give you safety, money, and my army to destroy Marcus. When it's over, you can walk away free."

It was a crazy deal, but it was the only real choice I had.

"What about that whole 'Queen' thing in the ballroom?" I asked.

"Just a story so they wouldn't try to chase us," he said flatly. "I don't care about you personally. This is just work."

I leaned down to look at the paper. My fingers touched the faint silver letters. I didn't just know the language; I knew it perfectly. But as I read the third line, my heart stopped.

This wasn't a land paper. It was a blood lock. The only way to open it was with the blood of the original royal family.

Valen thought he just needed a translator. He had no idea that I was actually the key to the whole thing. That meant I had the power here, not him.

I grabbed the pen off the table and looked him in the eye. "I'll sign. But only if you promise not to make any decisions without telling me first."

Valen smirked. "You've got a big attitude for someone without a wolf."

"Try me," I said.

I bent down to sign my name.

CRASH!

The window right behind Valen shattered. A black arrow flew straight through the air, heading right for his neck. The tip was covered in a thick purple gel.

Nightshade poison. It could kill a wolf in seconds.

"Valen, watch out!" I screamed.

I grabbed his arm and shoved him out of the way. We both hit the floor just as the arrow flew past and sliced right through the skin on my upper arm.