The envoy shuffles his notes. “You are well-versed.”
“I was raised to it,” I answer. “Silvercrest’s Luna is not ornamental.”
I turn my head to glance over the members sitting in their chairs. Kade’s eyes narrow when they meet mine. Izel’s face has paled.
???
When it’s time to leave, the envoy stands in the court hall, scroll half-rolled. “The inspection is concluded.”
Izel steps forward. “And your report will state?”
“That the Luna of Silvercrest is… adequate.” His voice is dry. “More than adequate.”
Her lips part, fury flashing before she hides it.
Kade dismisses the court. Wolves disperse in murmurs. Only when the crowd thins does the envoy draw close to me, voice pitched for my ears alone.
“Freya.” His eyes dart left, then right, his dark eyes flashing a deep green I recognise in a heartbeat. “We may not be able to meet each other for a while.”
I stiffen. “Rowan?”
He lowers his voice. “The High Council knows about the mark you bear. And they are not happy about it. Nightfell rises stronger than they like. Their plan is to crush us—by any means. But they intend to use Silvercrest… at the Blood Moon Conclave.”
My heart lurches.
With a slow blink, the green of his eyes vanishes, returning to its original dark brown. He blinks again, and steps back, his face contorted with confusion. “Did I say something to you?” the words slip out from his mouth in a whisper.
What the hell just happened?
The envoy swallows, and forces his eyes back to Kade who’s no longer watching us or listening. “My thanks for your hospitality. The High Council will be satisfied.”
Without another glance at me, he turns and walks away, boots echoing down the stone pathway.
If I’m not wrong, I just saw Rowan take possession of the envoy’s mind and body to—to speak to me. My body shivers. I claw at my neck, and find that I’m sweating.
The High Council doesn’t like that I bear the High Luna’s sigil. They want Nightfell destroyed. And if I’m not careful, I’ll burn with it.
SIXTY SECONDS OF TRUTH
Freya
Idream of Rowan.
He stands before me in his wolf form, protecting me from a herd of rabid rogues. When I feel brave enough to finally look at their faces, I see the Elders who make up the High Council, and leading all of them is Kade.
I wake up to the news of a stricter border patrol being implemented. Kade sends his best warriors to scour the forest surrounding our territory for any imminent danger.
Rowan was right. We won’t see each other now. But at least he gave me the herbs to brew fresh antidotes before the envoy arrived.
The man sent by the High Council did his job right—making Kade paranoid about Nightfell and its rogues. But Kade has yet to ask me about the envoy’s accusation. I remember how he reacted when the envoy asked about rumours of me fraternizing with rogues.
Perhaps someone saw me when I visited Rowan and told the council about it. Maybe this person also told them about the High Luna’s mark.
I return to my chamber and drag my wooden chest aside to reveal a small secret shelf built into the wall. It holds all the ledger that proves Izel’s treachery. I’d hoped to present it in front of the High Council at the Blood Moon before I demanded to attempt the Silver Severance, because the thought of showing them to Kade feels absurd. He doesn’t see me anymore—not as his Luna or wife. He only sees her. He’s tangled in Izel’s web of lies, and he’s beyond saving. Now, even the council doesn’t seem like an option.
Putting the chest back against the wall, I spare a glance at my diadem.
The Luna’s crown, Nyx unmuzzled, and a witness circle.
