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I fell asleep almost as soon as he settled beside me, still smiling, all that happiness warm in my chest.

Chapter 34

Lady Elowen

When the shuttle doors opened at High Mountain, I had enough left for either a good meal or a day’s dose of suppressants, though that hardly mattered now. I stayed in my seat as the other passengers collected their belongings, grateful for the chance to linger a little longer before following them out and facing my end.

More than two months had passed since Marek pushed me through the bedroom window. Seeking protection through the proper authorities had only led both House Tureen and House Vaelor directly to me. I could only conclude that House Vaelor had discovered my deceit, which meant I now had not one but two Great Houses to fear.

After that, I had moved between shelters, relying on intermediaries and entrusting messages to people whose assurances I could neither verify nor afford to doubt.

I considered remaining in hiding, but my exhaustion was no longer merely physical. My only consolation was knowing I had endured far longer than anyone would have expected of me. Though there had been times when I had almost ended my own suffering, pride had always stopped me; it remained both my strength and my undoing.

In the end, I had chosen to live, if only long enough to cause some harm of my own. Mireya was not the only person capable of finding satisfaction in another’s pain, and I had spent many nights imagining her and the Alphas from the facility writhing as I had.

Besides, Omegas were valuable, no matter how broken, and there had been many of us inside Mireya’s facility. I also had names, descriptions and things she had spoken of freely, never imagining I would live long enough to use them against her. I might have been sheltered, but I knew information could be worth as much as sapphire crystals, and I had enough to bargain with. It would not undo what I had done, but I hoped it might lessen what my family was already paying for it.

Outside the terminal, the ancestral seat of House Vaelor rose through the mountain in vast terraces of dark stone. Entrances large enough to admit military transports stood beneath midnight-blue banners bearing the words:

HOUSE VAELOR REMEMBERS.

I chose the main public entrance, where clerks, petitioners and uniformed officers waited beyond the security line. I wanted witnesses to hear my name and see whose custody I entered.

The guard stepped forward. “State your business.”

“I am Lady Elowen Marie Hart, first Omega daughter of Pack Hart of Kharith, contracted to mate with Pack Stormforge of House Vaelor. I request an immediate audience with the High Lord on matters affecting the succession of House Vaelor.”

A clerk behind the barrier stopped speaking as the guard reached for his pad. “Please remain where you are, my lady.”

I obeyed while they checked my identity three times. By the final confirmation, six officers had gathered around the entrance. One spoke my name into his pad and recorded the time. Hearing my presence formally acknowledged after so long in hiding made my heart beat faster.

They escorted me into the House through a series of security checkpoints. At the last, the officer beside me said, “My lady, a physician will see you before your audience with the High Lord.”

I nodded and followed him through more hallways to an examination room, where I recognised Thaddeus Vale. I had certainly not expected to be seen by the High Lord’s personal physician.

“Lady Elowen.” He indicated the chair beside him. “Tell me, have you taken any medications today?”

I named the suppressants, then felt goosebumps rise all the way down my back as an officer produced the packet from the bag I had left on the shuttle. He handed it to Thaddeus, who read the label and dismissed him.

Thaddeus took my blood samples himself while his assistant prepared the equipment for the two scans that followed. I watched his face as he studied the results, but he offered no explanation, and I asked no questions.

“If you feel faint during the meeting, say so. I will come to your aid.”

“Thank you, Physician Vale.” I finished the water and the little food he provided, then followed the officers to the High Lord.

The room where Magnus received me contained only a long table and four chairs, with dim light falling across the dark polished stone. Magnus sat at the centre of the table, facing the entrance, his silver hair immaculate above the high collar of a midnight-navy coat. He did not rise as I entered.

“My lord.” I inclined my head. My mother would have found no fault with the courtesy, though I could not imagine what she would have made of the circumstances.

“Lady Elowen. Sit.”

I took the chair and placed my feet together beneath it, instinctively concealing the worn toes of my shoes.

“You told my officers that you wished to discuss matters affecting the succession of my House.” He leaned back in his chair, completely at ease.

“Yes. I have valuable information about illegal activities carried out by a powerful House in High Mountain, as well as the sabotage of matings involving high-ranking Packs.”

“What do you seek in exchange?”