My stomach knots. “So, it’s not just about what the runes are doing. It’s aboutwhoset them andwhy.”
Clara nods grimly. “Exactly. They’re either holding something dangerous back…or they were meant to destroy a being’s power entirely.”
I inhale slowly, trying to keep my thoughts in order. This confirms what I’d already suspected, but it doesn’t answer the most pressing question:Who’s the true monster here—the man beneath the castle or the one ruling it?
I glance toward the window, the moons hanging low over the distant treetops. If Aeson was truly hiding something this dangerous, why hadn’t he been more careful? Why leave the runes exposed, where any curious wolf could stumble on them?
Clara slides out of bed, and I follow her to a table. She sets the book down, giving me an opportunity to peek through it as she grabs another. There are hundreds of pages here with information about runes—how to set them, what sacrifices are needed to do so, and the ramifications of using such magic—but there’s nothing about how to break them.
“How are we supposed to get him out of those chains?” I ask, still not taking my eyes off the ancient text.
“Blood.”
I tense. “Whose blood?”
She points to another book, this one frailer than the first. “Whoever cast the spell. We need their blood to open that door. I don’t know if it will help with the chains, but it will get you physically inside instead of just projecting yourself into the room like before. Something I still can’t explain.”
She doesn’t need to. I don’t know how that happened either, but I know why, and that’s all I can concern myself with for now. That man is my fated mate. I was drawn to himso I can find peace with my choices. Nothing more, nothing less.
“So, I need Aeson’s blood.” I close the book and cross my arms. “I could challenge him to a friendly sparring session, but I doubt he’d agree just days before our bonding ceremony.”
Clara’s eyes cast down, and I already know I’m not going to like what she says next. “You could bite him.”
The suggestion slams into me like a punch. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Hear me out.” She raises both hands, palms up in mock surrender. “If you bite him in the heat of the moment, he’ll think it’s instinctual, not premeditated. Let your wolf rise during…whatever you need to do, and no one will question it. Use your shirt to catch the blood, feign embarrassment, and get the hell out.”
Revulsion twists in my gut, but I can’t deny the logic. There’s no way to stab him without raising suspicion andaskingfor his blood would be laughable.
“I hate that this makes sense,” I mutter, running a hand down my face.
Clara reaches for me, squeezing my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Sloane. I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you, but I know you can do it.”
Gods, this sounds like the worst idea ever, but also like the only option. There’s no way I can stab him and get away with it being an accident. Biting him seems the most logical, even if it’s the most repulsive.
“I have to do this now,” I tell her, beginning to pace. “We can’t wait any longer. Not with the ceremony just days away. I need to talk to my…that man again before the others get here and getting through that door is the best way.”
She grins at me. “It’s okay, Sloane. You can call him yourmate. I’m not judging you, even if he turns out to be the monster. It’s not like that would be your fault.”
I’m not worried about her judging me; I just can’t allow my heart to think of him as mine. Not until I have my answers, at least.
“Go back to your room and get into your pajamas.” She points to my emerald dress. “You won’t be able to soak up blood if you have to lift the hem. You need a loose shirt, preferably a cotton one.”
My lips thin. “What if it’s not Aeson? We have no clue how long those runes have been there. It could’ve been his father who laid that spell, or someone else who’s no longer around to take blood from. If we’re wrong, and I raise Aeson’s suspicions too much…”
She grabs both my hands, her face stoic. “Something tells me he needs you more than you need him. Even if he questions your intentions, his end game seems to be power. Without your pack and bond, he’ll be no better off than he was before.”
“Unless he kills me and takes over anyway.” It’s a possibility I’ve tried not to dwell on, but one I know could happen. Well, I know he could try anyway. He’s not the first man I’ve had to defend my place against, and he won’t be the first to win either.
Clara’s dark chuckle fills the room. “And how’s that worked out for those who’ve tried before? You can handle Aeson. You’re the Queen of Alcaris, an alpha who hasn’t ever bowed to anyone. You’re not going to start now.”
No, I’m certainly not.
“Okay. If we’re wrong,” I tell her, “then we’re no worse off than we are right now. Either way, we’ll figure this out.”
“There’s my queen.” She nods toward the door. “Now, go get sexy. You have a king to seduce.”
“I hate you some days.” My grumbles follow me all the way across the room.
