Chapter 5 - The Boy They Used as Bait
The journey to Frostpass took two days.
Snow buried the road.
The wind howled through the mountains.
Arthur was being held inside an abandoned mining fortress.
Kalin led the rescue team.
Rosaline traveled beside him.
At night they shared one fire.
On the second evening, Kalin handed her a cup.
“Tea.”
She smelled it.
“What is this?”
“Something warm.”
“That's not an ingredient.”
He smiled.
She drank.
“Chamomile.”
“You know herbs?”
“A little.”
“You've been studying?”
“Because you are.”
Rosaline stared at him.
“You don't have to become a healer.”
“No.”
He looked at the fire.
“But I want to understand the things you care about.”
Her heart softened.
The next morning, they reached Frostpass.
The fortress stood between two cliffs.
Kalin studied the gates.
“Too quiet.”
Rosaline agreed.
“They expect us.”
They entered anyway.
Arthur was chained to a chair in the center hall.
Harrington stood beside him.
Rosaline's blood froze.
“You.”
Harrington smiled.
“You really are difficult to kill.”
Kalin stepped forward.
“Release him.”
Harrington laughed.
“You still think you command this situation.”
He raised a blade.
Rosaline moved.
“Wait.”
Harrington looked at her.
“I've spent years watching people underestimate you.”
“You should have learned better.”
His smile faded.
“You think the king can save you.”
“He already did.”
Kalin's eyes turned gold.
Harrington whispered:
“Then let's see how much he saves.”
He cut the rope around Arthur.
The boy fell.
Rosaline rushed forward.
A crossbow bolt flew from the shadows.
Kalin intercepted it.
The bolt pierced his shoulder.
Rosaline screamed.
“Kalin!”
He staggered.
Harrington laughed.
“The king bleeds.”
Rosaline ran to him.
“Don't move.”
Kalin gritted his teeth.
“Get Arthur.”
She looked at the wound.
The arrow had been silver.
His wolf was struggling.
“Thomas!”
Thomas grabbed Arthur and pulled him to safety.
Rosaline snapped the shaft.
Kalin groaned.
“Sorry.”
“You're enjoying this.”
“Not even slightly.”
She pulled the silver arrow free.
Blood poured out.
Rosaline pressed her hands to the wound.
Moonlight glowed from her palms.
The wound began closing.
Harrington stared.
“No.”
Rosaline looked up.
Her eyes had changed.
They shimmered silver-green.
“You wanted the Moonblood.”
Harrington backed away.
“You don't know what you're becoming.”
“I know exactly what I'm becoming.”
She stood.
“Someone you should have feared.”
Kalin rose despite the wound.
Together they advanced.
Harrington ran.
Kalin caught him before he reached the door.
The confrontation ended quickly.
Harrington was defeated and chained.
Arthur ran to Rosaline.
“I knew you would come.”
She hugged him.
“I promised.”
The rescue should have been a victory.
But beneath the fortress, they discovered something far worse.
A massive chamber filled with silver weapons.
Maps of every northern pack.
And a mural.
An ancient wolf queen stood at the center.
Her eyes were the same silver-green as Rosaline's.
Below the image was an inscription.
The Moonblood shall choose the King.
Rosaline stared.
Kalin stood beside her.
“It wasn't just a myth.”
“No.”
“Your ancestors knew this.”
Rosaline shook her head.
“I don't understand.”
Then she noticed the final line.
When the Moonblood chooses a mate, the old kingdom will rise again.
Kalin looked at her.
“Rosaline…”
She whispered:
“They don't just want my blood.”
“They want me to awaken something.”
“And they think you're the one who can control it.”
Kalin stepped closer.
“I don't want to control you.”
“I know.”
“I don't want a kingdom.”
“I know.”
“What do you want?”
Rosaline looked into his eyes.
“Peace.”
May you like
He smiled.
“Then that's what we'll build.”
