Chapter 6 - The Uncle Behind the Throne
The uncle was called Alaric Vain.
He had once been the king's father's younger brother.
Officially, he died in a hunting accident.
In reality, he had disappeared into the Moon Council.
He had spent decades building influence.
Bram was his weapon.
The council was his army.
The prophecy was his enemy.
When Declan confronted him, Alaric didn't deny anything.
“You were always too soft.”
Declan looked at him.
“You killed my father.”
“Yes.”
“You ordered Winterborn.”
“Yes.”
“You tried to kill my children.”
Alaric smiled.
“I tried to prevent chaos.”
“You murdered thousands.”
“For order.”
Declan's wolf growled.
“You destroyed my life.”
Alaric stepped closer.
“No.”
“You did that yourself.”
Declan's eyes flashed.
“How?”
“You loved a human.”
Alaric pointed toward Rosalind.
“That weakness made you unfit to rule.”
Rosalind stepped forward.
“No.”
Alaric laughed.
“You still speak.”
She raised her dagger.
“Always.”
Declan held out an arm.
“Don't.”
He wanted this confrontation.
Not because of revenge.
Because his children were watching.
He wanted them to see him choose justice over rage.
Alaric offered a deal.
“Give me the twins.”
Declan refused.
“I will give you the crown.”
“No.”
“Your army.”
“No.”
“Half the kingdom.”
“No.”
Alaric's smile vanished.
“Then everyone dies.”
He snapped his fingers.
Explosions sounded throughout the fortress.
The council's forces attacked from inside.
The gates opened.
Chaos spread.
Declan grabbed Finn.
Rosalind took Lyra.
They fought their way through the corridors.
Bram appeared.
He looked exhausted.
Blood covered his armor.
He lowered his weapon.
“Declan.”
“Move.”
“I want to help.”
Declan stared.
“Why?”
“Because Alaric betrayed me too.”
“You betrayed me first.”
“I know.”
Bram looked ashamed.
“I was a coward.”
Declan did not forgive him.
But he allowed him to fight.
Together, they defended the throne room.
The battle lasted until sunrise.
Alaric escaped.
But the Moon Council suffered a devastating defeat.
The twins were safe.
The people survived.
And Declan had one final problem.
Bram.
He stood before the king.
“You can execute me.”
Declan looked at him.
“For Winterborn.”
Bram nodded.
“For every lie.”
“Yes.”
“For every person you killed under my name.”
Bram lowered his head.
“Yes.”
Declan raised his sword.
Then stopped.
Rosalind touched his arm.
“You don't have to become what he was.”
Declan lowered the sword.
“You will stand trial.”
Bram looked stunned.
“You're not killing me?”
“No.”
“You should.”
“Perhaps.”
Declan's voice was cold.
“But my children need a king who knows the difference between justice and revenge.”
Bram was taken away.
Later, Finn asked:
“Are you still angry?”
Declan sat beside him.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because people did bad things.”
“Will they do bad things again?”
“Some will.”
“What do we do?”
Declan smiled.
“We protect each other.”
Finn nodded.
Lyra climbed into his lap.
“What about Mommy?”
Declan looked toward Rosalind.
“We protect her too.”
Rosalind laughed.
“I can protect myself.”
“I know.”
He smiled.
“But let me.”
She stared at him.
Something changed between them.
Five years ago, Declan had loved her like a young king.
Now he loved her as a man who understood what losing her had cost.
He took her hand.
“I should have believed you.”
She squeezed his fingers.
“We were both betrayed.”
“Not again.”
“No.”
They kissed.
The first kiss since Winterborn.
Not desperate.
Not haunted.
A beginning.
Then the castle bells rang.
A messenger entered.
“Your Majesty.”
“What?”
“We captured one of Alaric's commanders.”
“Who?”
The messenger swallowed.
“The man said Alaric is heading to the sacred wolf temple.”
Declan knew what that meant.
The temple held the ancient crown stone.
Whoever controlled it could challenge the legitimacy of the king.
Alaric was going there to claim the throne.
Declan stood.
“Prepare the army.”
Rosalind looked at him.
“I’m coming.”
May you like
He smiled.
“I know.”
