Chapter 41

Violet

The door opened. A servant entered, offering me a small note sealed with Owen’s insignia. Theodore's eyes flickered to the door, his posture instantly wary. I straightened, too, expecting more fallout from the dinner. I raised a brow and broke the seal, scanning the words quickly. Theodore leaned closer, eyes narrowing as he tried to read over my shoulder.

“It’s from Owen,” I said, folding the note. “He’s inviting me to a private meeting.”

Theodore’s face tightened, his jaw clenched. “Are you going to accept?”

I met his gaze and smirked. “Maybe he’ll apologize for being so… mean to his future sister-in-law.”

He didn’t even smirk at the joke. I stood and slipped back into my shoes. “Though the card is a little dramatic. Did he think I’d keep it from me?”

“...maybe.”

Theodore’s displeasure was palpable, but he said nothing as I nodded to the maid and stepped toward the door.

“Get everything ready to leave as soon as possible,” I told him, glancing back. “I don’t want to linger.”

He didn’t respond, only held my gaze with a look that made it clear he didn’t like the idea of me meeting with Owen. I smiled at him.

“Want to walk with me, lover?”

His cheeks flushed. He shot to his feet and took my arm. I almost laughed at how eager he seemed. We followed the maid down a series of dimly lit corridors. I didn’t even bother to look at tapestries. My mind was running a million miles a minute.

What did Owen want? Why the private invitation, especially after all that nonsense in the dining hall? He likely wanted the chance to tear Theodore down, but perhaps he wanted a more direct approach to me. A warning? Another attempt at intimidation? Or maybe something else.

We finally arrived at the door to a secluded parlor tucked away in one of the palace’s quieter wings. Theodore was tense as hell. I pat his arm.

“I’ll be out soon. I’m sure his wife is looking for him.”

The maid knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

As I stepped into the dim parlor, the heavy scent of spiced liquor met my nose, a glass of it in Owen’s hand, catching the low light as he swirled it. His gaze was far too intent, his smile too slow. The room felt warm, almost uncomfortably so, an atmosphere that was intentional and obvious. He gestured to the empty chair across from him, an invitation edged in subtle arrogance.

Oh, Goddess, was he going to try and seduce me?

"Violet," he drawled, leaning back with a smirk that felt all too rehearsed, "I thought we might finally have a chance to talk... properly."

I closed the door behind me. I didn’t sit, crossing my arms instead, meeting his stare with cool indifference.

“I don’t promise to have much to say before an apology comes.”

A faint laugh slipped from him, and he took a slow sip from his glass, studying me with a dark gleam in his eye.

“So direct. You do have a certain... spirit. One that Theodore, unfortunately, won’t appreciate. He never did understand true ambition.” His gaze drifted over me sleazily. It took everything in me not to surl my lips with disgust. “Or the finer things in life.”

“Are you going somewhere with this? It’s been a long day, and I’d rather be snuggling in bed with Theodore right now.” I smiled blithely, watching him stiffen and the sleazy look in his eyes die out. “He’s an incredible bed partner, you know?”

His eyes twitched and he pushed to his feet. He set the glass aside, lowering his voice.

“If you’re as clever as they say, you know why I wanted privacy. I do have much more class than Theodore.”

There was a dangerous gleam in his eyes that left no doubt about his intentions, and I forced myself to remain still, fighting off the revulsion clawing up my spine.

I held his gaze coldly, waiting until the silence grew heavy.

“Let’s save my time and the bit of patience I have left,” I said icily. “Whatever you think might happen here, it won’t, so what do you want?”

For a moment, his smirk faltered, but then it returned, more calculating than before. He stood up straight back, his eyes flickering with something sharper. “Fine, if that’s how you want it. Let me put it bluntly.” He paused, letting the moment draw out. “How would you like Darkmoon back, Violet? The easy way or not at all?”

I blinked at him, keeping my expression neutral.

“I’m the king. The power to help you take back your pack, put an end to Lucas’ claim—it’s all in my hands. It would be in your best interest to befriend me and do as I want.”

“You’re not exactly offering me a deal.” I tilted my head. “And based on your politics, I don’t think I have a real reason to trust you. Have you signed the documents on Shelter yet.”

He scoffed, snatching his drink off the table.

“I want you to spy on him.”

“Tell me every thing he’s planning. Every move he makes. In exchange—”

“For how long?” I asked.

“What?”

“How long am I supposed to be your little spy? You know this vagueness must run in the family.” He flinched. “When Theodore made me an offer of a prenup and put this ring on my hand, his terms were vague, too… So I’ll tell you the way I told him.” I met his gaze. “I don’t make deals without all the details.”

“I didn’t think you wanted to make this more difficult than it needs to be.”

I smiled. “I’m actually trying to make it very simple. Only someone with absolutely no intentions of following through on a contract would be hesitant to lay out terms.”

I crossed the room to the window, leaning against the sill. I was still closer to the door than he was, but not so obviously trying to get away.

“I thought you were a smart woman,” he scoffed. “Though I suppose that’s something that will never happen, in this lifetime.”

His insult wasn’t a new one, though it was a stupid one.

“Where did you attend university?”

His eyes narrowed. “I don’t need to negotiate with you.”

“I’m seeing more and more of a resemblance between you two by the second,” I said and pushed off. “If you are so assured of being able to… do whatever it is you’re after. I’ll take my leave.”

He stepped between me and the door, clearly threatening. I made my body relax, gauging the distance and bracing myself to fight if I had to.

Theodore

I couldn’t just wait in the hallway. The stone halls of the palace echoed with a quiet that felt like it was pressurizing all of the memories I didn’t want to remember, so I walked. Not far, but far enough down the corridor and back. Pacing, essentially. What was taking so long? Why did I feel so uneasy?

As I turned to make my way down the hall again, I nearly ran into someone. Owen’s wife, Madeleine, stood before me, her sharp eyes narrowing as they met mine. She was dressed in the silks and jewels from dinner, but she had that ugly sneer on her face that reminded me of her mother in law.

“Madeleine,” I greeted, keeping my voice neutral.

“What are you doing skulking around the palace halls? Shouldn’t you be busy somewhere else?”

“Waiting for my wife and your husband to be done with their little meeting.” She glanced back toward the parlor. “And you?”

She lifted her chin. “Is that any way to talk to your queen?”

I smirked. “You are no more my queen as that woman who married you into this family.”

She snarled at me. “You should have done the smart thing and stayed away.”

I shrugged. “Damned if I obey summons. Damned if I don’t, eh?”

With a final, pointed glare, she turned and swept down the hall, her skirts trailing behind her. I almost laughed as I watched her go, wondering how someone could harbor so much resentment towards someone trying to completely exit the situation, and yet so desperately want to escape the situation herself.

I shuddered. The walls felt so much closer, so much older, so much more dangerous than I remembered. The echoes of memories rushed through me. Secrets. Lies.

Theodore…

I turned hearing my mother’s voice on the wind. My heart ached. I hated being here. I hated feeling as if she still lingered here in some way. A sudden wave of anxiety cut through my thoughts, sharp and unmistakable.

Violet.

Her unease simmered through the partial bond, tightening into something nearly suffocating. Whatever was happening in that private parlor was escalating. Was she hurt? Without a second thought, I headed back down the corridor. I could hear Owen’s voice before I had even reached for the door.

“You might be a Donovan, but do you think that’s enough to save you from my wrath?”