His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 57: Restless Night

After Theo gave me tea in the study, I dismissed him. He was reluctant to go, even if he was a little angry about his situation and the lack of power he held. I must have looked worse than I thought for him to put aside his feelings and try to remain by my side.

Or, like me, he thought Faidon might not be the best protection. They were Southern, after all. Putting aside the point that I hold no power in the royal family, there was no reason to kill or protect me. But I’d decided to put those thoughts aside as well; the Alpha Prince, as brutish and barbaric as he appears, was intelligent, irritably so, to use our night in the woods as a means of blackmail.

Who was I to try and figure out what he was thinking? Especially when I have far more troublesome problems to deal with right now.

As I suspected, sleep was distant from my racing mind. None of the books in my study could distract me; even the book on fairytales was surreal to my reality. I kept thinking about Soren and how he’d been the one to almost kill me. Would he return tonight and act like nothing happened?

I’d put a lock on the study to ease my mind. It saddened me to think of him as a possible threat, but it was better to be cautious. Kicking my feet back on the sofa in nothing but my nightgown, I held the Art of War up to read where I left off. On the floor next to me was a book of detailed descriptions of fighting techniques.

I’d read the Art of War many times; it was why I had been in many strategy meetings with my brother and his close circle. Alaric may have continued with my lessons, but like most young boys, he was too energetic to stay inside and study all the time. While he could leave and release his pent-up energy in the gardens, woods and hunting, I remained with his tutors and took notes for him.

Deyanira allowed this for a while until it was becoming clear that I had been studying for much longer than my brother when I was born heir to the throne. I was booted from joint studies, the Queen Mother claiming there was an age gap in our study levels as well and did not wish for me to ’struggle’ to keep up with Alaric.

I continued studying by myself in secret. Alaric would give me his books once he was done with them, let me study with him in his chambers, or I would sneak into the royal library at night.

It wasn’t so I could take the throne from my brother. Since my mother’s death, I’d long given up on that claim. My mother was a good person, and she was beheaded for reasons I do not and never will accept. Why would I want to sit on a bloodied throne where anyone could turn on me?

I studied because knowledge is power. Power had been stripped from me the moment Deyanira entered the palace grounds, and before I knew about my disability as a Were without a wolf, I knew my treatment would grow worse, weakening my body.

I had to appear weak to the Queen Mother. I am weak. I did not learn how to fight because it would be another reason to kill me. My mother wanted me to survive, and that is what I have been doing all my life.

Today was a blunder on my part for trusting Soren completely. It will not happen again. I was done being weak and relying on others.

Before sleep finally claimed me, one quote I’d read many times remained on my mind:

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle. If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him.

"Interesting choice of books." My head snapped up at the accented voice, blinking away the sleep from my eyes and reaching for a weapon I did not have.

My heart almost leapt from my chest at the sight of a shadow in the room. Faidon was still leaning against the desk across from me. Dull light barely cast any light on him, revealing it was early morning. The birds were quiet, with only a few beginning their morning tunes.

Slowly, I sat up, my gaze locked on Eryx’s shadow, ignoring my book that tumbled down from my chest. Faidon zipped forward before my mind could process his speed, and he caught the book before it fell to the ground. The Southern Were closed it and placed it above the other by my feet.

With confidence and steel I did not feel, I replied, "An easy nighttime read. Don’t forget to tell your master that."

Faidon smirked and rose to his feet, stepping back slowly. "I will be sure to inform him."

"Why are you here?" I didn’t think he would come inside.

"It was cold."

"I’m sure you have trained in worse conditions," I state. "Why are you here?"

Faidon leaned against the desk again, crossing his muscular arms and boots. "You have not been asleep long-"

"So you woke me to ensure I am too tired to function properly when dealing with your master?"

Faidon paused, his expression one of shock before he burst into a boisterous laugh, tipping his head back. "Oh, he must be pulling his hair out with you." He wiped beneath his right eye, still grinning as he stared at me. "You are so feisty."

"You have yet to answer my question."

"And persistent," he observed. "Qualities he must enjoy watching..."

"For a shadow, you have a lot to say." My arms cross, matching him. I don’t know what to make of this wake-up call at the moment. So far, he hadn’t taken offence or lashed out with his claws at my attitude. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I came to tell you not to worry. Even in your sleep, you tossed and turned, almost damaging what appears to be a favourite book," he notes in amusement, glancing at the thick book by my side.

"You woke me up-"

"You were already stirring..." He tilts his head in thought. "You are reading a book about fighting. Did a tutor provide you with this, or did you wish to bore yourself into sleep?"

I blink a few times, then sigh, "I was not allowed to learn how to fight." I rub at the sleep in my eyes, or maybe it was to distract myself from how irritated I felt about it now after almost dying, possibly by my knight’s hands.

"I see." His eyes flick back to the book and me. "Reading about it is different to partaking-"

"I know," I clip and grimace at myself for letting my frustration show. My aching muscles and fatigued mind and body were taking precedence over my basic manners. With a sigh, I add gently, "I know. But I wanted to start somewhere."

"Hmm. I thought she-wolves were taught to fight in Ice and Claws? I saw many in our battles. Or are they of lower birth?"

I blink back in surprise at his choice of words. He most likely learned it from us. The Southern Weres didn’t seem to prioritise class like we did. Of course, an Alpha King and Prince were still superior to others. They had to have someone in charge.

"No. We are allowed to learn to fight, and many are accepted and highly skilled warriors. Many she-wolves learn, but it is a skill used mostly so they can protect their young," I explain.

"Then why are you..." Faidon trails off. My lips pinch together, and I look away, not wishing to discuss it more. "You were Alpha heir until Deyanira and her son came to power..."

I froze at his casual use of the Queen Mother and Alpha King’s names as if they were insignificant or of lower birth. After glancing at our surroundings as though a rat might have been listening to our conversation and observing Faidon, my shoulders relaxed. I didn’t really care about propriety, not when Faidon wasn’t doing it on purpose or with any malicious intent.

"That is right."

"But you want to fight now... Do you wish to take the throne?" Faidon questions, though it is clear, he does not expect me to answer him truthfully.

"That is not something you should ask, shadow of my enemy." I rise from the sofa, pausing when dark spots dance across my vision.

Faidon pushes from the desk and holds a hand out for me. "Thank you, I am fine," I say once the dizziness subsides.

Faidon clears his throat and walks past me. "There is no use in causing you harm, Princess. His Highness has given you his protection. You should rest easy while you can."

"That is easier said than done," I murmur.

"I hope my words have given you some comfort at least." Those were his last words before he vanished like the shadow he was.

When morning came, it was Kharis I discovered leaning over me and peering at me like I was something fascinating and not the Princess of Ice and Claws.

Rubbing my head and ignoring the state I must be in, I clear my throat. "What are you doing here?"

Why do the Southern Weres suddenly think it is okay to trespass into my study?

"Well, good morning to you, too!" He humphed like I am the rude one here.

Holding my hand up and blinking at the light in the room and the overly bright Southern Were that stands before me, I say with a slight groan, "Tea first, speak after."