Chapter 9 - The Queen the Kingdom Was Told to Fear
Months passed.
Mave became part of the royal court.
At first, nobles whispered.
Then they listened.
She created laws protecting people accused of Holloworn blood.
She ended secret imprisonment.
She opened the royal infirmary to common citizens.
Liv became one of the kingdom's youngest medical apprentices.
Byron became a different king.
Not weaker.
Stronger.
He governed with Mave beside him.
Their relationship grew quietly.
There were no perfect days.
There were arguments.
Political enemies.
Old traditions.
Fear.
But there was trust.
One evening, Byron took Mave to the palace balcony.
The city glittered below.
“You changed everything,” he said.
Mave shook her head.
“We changed it.”
He smiled.
“Are you still afraid?”
“Sometimes.”
“Of me?”
“No.”
“Of the kingdom?”
“Sometimes.”
“What then?”
Mave touched his hand.
“Losing you.”
Byron pulled her closer.
“You won't.”
But fate had one more surprise.
Mave discovered she was pregnant.
The news terrified her.
A child born from an Alpha King and a Holloworn could become the most powerful heir in history.
The old prophecy had predicted one final line.
“Their child will inherit neither throne nor chains.”
Mave wondered what that meant.
May you like
Then she understood.
Their child would be free.
