When I finally look at Izel, I find her smirking.
???
The envoy arrives by midday. He’s a gaunt man in a long gray coat, sleeves trailing over his hands. His hair is bound with silver thread which glistens as he bows stiffly before the throne.
“I am sent,” he announces, gaze locked on Kade who sits on the throne, “to conduct an inspection. The High Council requires a full account of the Luna’s health, competence, and devotion to her pack.”
So, itisabout me.
To my surprise, Kade’s irritation flares openly. “The Luna’s inspection? Inspections are only ordered if they believe a Luna cannot perform her duty. What drove them to such suspicion?”
The envoy buries his hands inside his sleeves. “The High Council received a complaint…anonymously—but it can’t be ignored. I’m required to formulate a report and present it to them.”
Izel steps forward before anyone else can speak. Her smile is sweet as cream. “Of course. The Council’s word is law, and Alpha Kade will be honored to let you examine anything you desire, totakewhat you deem necessary.”
The envoy tilts his head, gaze pinning her. “And with what authority do you speak for the Alpha?”
A flicker crosses Izel’s face, but she keeps her chin high. “I am Izel, the lady of this house.”
“Mm.” The envoy’s tone cools. “Yet my records show the Alpha’s wife, and thus Luna of Silvercrest, is Freya Vale.”
Murmurs ripple across the room.
Kade’s annoyance sharpens. “Freya,” he says curtly, beckoning. “Come forth.”
I rise, my sapphire crown gleaming as I walk through the parted crowd.
Kade’s gaze slices to the diadem, but his voice remains smooth. “Please the envoy, Luna.”
“I will prove I am both capable and worthy,” I say, lifting my chin as my heart pounds. “How the envoy—or the High Council—receives it is for them to decide.”
The envoy’s lips curve into a smirk. “Shall we begin, Luna Freya?”
I nod once.
As I move to follow him from the hall, Kade leaves his throne and grips my arm, his hand biting hard into my skin. He bends close, lowering his voice so only I can hear. “Don’t embarrass me, Freya.”
The pain makes my teeth clench, but I lift my chin and let no one see. “As you wish, Alpha.”
???
We begin in the pack’s conservatory. Brin pauses his work when we walk inside, shuffling to one side but he keeps his eyes and attention on us. Jax stands behind Kade and Izel, hands clasped behind his back.
The envoy studies the conservatory before his brow arches and he points at a row of jars on the shelf. “Do you know their uses?”
“Yes,” I say evenly. “Moonwort for burns. Feverfew for headaches. Silverdew—poison if taken too long.”
He nods slowly. “And what are the signs of silverdew poisoning?”
From the corner of my eyes I see Kade shift on his feet. Izel’s hand reaches out to soothe him, but he shrugs her away.
I keep my voice clear as I answer. “Shortness of breath and pain in chest. Loss of feeling in the body and sight. Weakening of the mind’s connection with the pack and loss of authority if the person being poisoned is an Alpha or Luna. And most important of all: your wolf goes quiet.”
“Seems like you understand this particular herb very well,” the man remarks. I don’t miss the undertone there but I ignore it.
Izel laughs softly, interrupting us. “Confidence is easy when one recites what others have taught. True mastery requires practice. The Luna has not tended these gardens in years.”
I meet the envoy’s eyes. “Nor has Lady Izel, though she’s quick to claim them.”
