A Kingdom of Wolves

Chapter Seven.

Chapter Seven.

A shiver engulfed Eliza’s body as the cold air nipped at the exposed skin on her face and hands. For all she had changed into warmer clothes, even grabbing her snow bear pelt and wrapping it around her shoulders for extra warmth, she had forgotten to grab a pair of knitted gloves in her haste. Internally, she felt as numb as her cold fingers after the torrent of emotions that she had experienced over the past few days. As the snowmobile picked up speed, passing the large silver-bared cage that held Greyson and her sister, she could not help but turn to look at them. The man whom Eliza had believed she loved just a few hours earlier. She now felt nothing but contempt as she regarded him with a clinical eye. His onyx eyes, which once made her heart swoon, now appeared to be the outward manifestation of a cold, heartless man. At that moment, Eliza questioned what she had ever seen in him. His face, which she once would have described as handsome, she now viewed as displeasing. His actions caused the ugliness of his soul to mar the features she once found so attractive.

An indescribable sadness filled her heart. Her parents were probably about to lose both their children today. Rein for her part in the murder of Elder Maisy, and herself, because King Fitzwilliam had the power to remove the moonstone artifact from around her neck, to administer the justice Eliza knew she would face, for a crime she did not commit. After all, who would believe that her sister had stabbed her own stomach to rid herself of the child? Nobody would. It was her word against Reins. The scorned woman accuses the fated mate and Luna of the pack.

Eliza sighed; she had little hope that she would be spared, and now her parents would be left to grieve both of their children. Another tidal wave of emotion washed over her, as tears began to fall onto her ice-cold cheeks. So many people had suffered, and would continue to suffer, because of Rein’s actions. Her parents were good people. The best. The thought of them being in perpetual pain, because of this mess, was almost too much to take.

Eliza found herself hoping that maybe Rein would be spared. Not because of any love she had for her sister. That had died, the moment the psychotic woman had plunged the knife into her own stomach, taking an innocent life, to secure her comfort, and set Eliza up for the crime, all but assuring that she would also die. No, all Eliza wanted now was some sort of relief for her parents, to protect them from a double loss; she loved them so much, she would beg the king to show her sister mercy, in her final requests.

Even though by the letter of the law, both Greyson and Rein would receive justice for Maisy’s death, she understood that, possibly, the king would be lenient, believing them to have a valid reason, given their grief for the loss of their child.

Only it wasn’t ‘their’ child, it was someone unknown to everyone other than Rein’s pup. If she even knew who the father was. Eliza pondered if Greyson had known his partner wasn't pure when he claimed her. Couldn't he tell? Wasn’t there supposed to be blood? He had held himself in check, not chasing women, only ever having eyes for Eliza, during the three years they waited before that fateful day. He was a virgin himself. Or so he had told Eliza, but she now doubted everything Greyson had ever said. Not because of his mate bond, but because he had changed into someone so abhorrent that she could not convince herself, he was not always this person, deep down inside his soul. He had lied, of that she was becoming increasingly certain. Maybe her sister's lack of purity was not an issue for him, if he wasn’t chaste himself. Or maybe his lack of experience had allowed her sister to persuade him otherwise. However, that was none of her concern now. All she cared about was her parents and how they were going to cope with the loss of both their children. If she could spare them some of that pain by having Rein survive, then a part of her hoped that the King would show mercy.

The sun dipped behind the glaciers as the Northern moon of Mythicalia climbed high in the sky. Their world had one sun but two moons. The northern always the first to appear in the night sky, followed by the second, Southern Moon, which appears a few hours later. To the naked eye, it looked smaller than the Northern, but astronomers had declared that it was, in fact, bigger, just further away from the planet. However, if you were in the sandlands, explorers spoke of the Southern Moon being the first to appear in their night sky.

The lights from the snowmobiles lit up the white expanse of snow, as they turned east before coming to a stop outside the Nix Lodgings. The small hotel that sat between the Ice Palace and the Glacier Pack. It was the only building, for miles, made entirely of wood, imported mostly from Neutraliss.

Wood in the northern territories was an expensive commodity; however, the further south you travelled, the greener the landscape became. Even here, at Nix, there was evidence of tall evergreen spruce trees, albeit covered in a dusting of snow.

“We will rest here this evening,” Carson declared, then turned to help Eliza from the back of his snowmobile.

She waited, with her head hung low, extending her arms out to the Elder, for the silver cuffs that a prisoner was required to wear. However, he did not bind her wrists or her ankles, just offered her a small smile.

“If you promise me not to attempt to escape, then I see no reason to bind you with silver,” the Elder stated.

Eliza gasped, lifting her head, her blue eyes wide with shock.

“No, Sir. I will face my justice,” Eliza truthfully said.

“Come inside. You will have warm lodgings and good food this night,” Carson smiled, as Aiden and Meradith gave the elder a quizzical look.

“I am afraid your other daughter and her mate will be kept in the dungeons of the lodgings. They do not have the protection of the moonstone,” Carson stated, as Rein let out another screech, demanding that she be allowed a room, as she was a Luna.

“Be thankful we are allowing you to have a fire, and some broth. The murderers of the most honoured of all Elders, Maisy Starlight, do not deserve such luxury." Carson growled in annoyance.

"However, because of your father’s impeccable service to the old king, I am giving you more mercy than you deserve,” Carson hissed at Rein, as Greyson once more implored his mate to shut up.

“I must. However. Insist that Eliza is guarded by two enforcers and resides in the attic rooms, where there are reinforced windows that cannot be opened,” he added, as Eliza nodded her head in understanding.

“I am thankful, sir. I will not cause you any concern,” Eliza simply responded.

“Yes, Elder Carson, we are more than thankful,” Aiden spoke reverently to his old friend.

Carson simply bobbed his head before leading the group inside the Nix Lodgings. As Eliza stepped through the doors, she was hit by a wall of heat from the roaring fire in the lobby. The wooden lodge was welcoming, with thick red-carpet runners on the wooden floor. A sign above the large fireplace said in old script.

Welcome to Nix Lodge. We hope you enjoy your stay with us. We humbly request that all outer footwear be removed at the door to help us keep the area clear of water and snow.

Instantly, Eliza bent down and removed her thick boots made from seal skin, placing them neatly in the rack that was provided. Carson observed the moonstone artifact+wearing prisoner. There was nothing about her that gave him the slightest indication that she had committed the crimes she was being accused of. But only the King could decide her fate. After checking everyone into the lodge, Carson nodded at two of his most trusted enforcers.

“Guard her door please. Until I arrive at her room with some food,” the Elder stated, passing a huge iron key to one of the men he was entrusting with Eliza. He had chosen highly skilled warriors, rather than the usual guards. Not because of the moonstone, but because he had a feeling that this girl needed extra protection.

As Aiden gathered the room key for him and his mate, he moved to ascend the stairs to the third floor, when Elder Carson gently touched the top of his arm, bringing him to a halt.

“Aiden. My friend. I will allow you to breakfast with Eliza in the morning and spend half an hour with Rein afterwards. I would encourage you to tell both your daughters to speak only the truth when we arrive at the Ice Palace tomorrow. The king is a good man, he is wise, and fair. But he is not weak. He will not let one lie go unpunished, and trust me when I say, he can sniff one out at a hundred feet,” Carson advised the warrior.

“I will. Thank you, Elder Carson. You have given me and my mate a huge honour, by allowing us to speak with our daughters,” Aiden bowed his head with reverence, hoping beyond hope, that he was correct, and Eliza was innocent of the crimes her sister had accused her of.