Princess's Revenge: Slave to the Soulbound King Chapter 104

Adelaide

The eastern sky was just beginning to show the first hints of dawn as I hurried through the corridors of Lycandor Keep. My heart hammered against my ribs, and exhaustion from a sleepless night was overshadowed by the fierce determination burning within me.

I pushed open the heavy oak door to our bedchamber, expecting to find it empty, but was surprised to see Lycanthar standing by the window with his back to the door. His broad shoulders sagged slightly, and I could tell he too had endured a long and difficult night.

"Lycanthar?" I called softly, my pulse quickening involuntarily. I hadn't expected to face him so soon.

The Wolf King turned, and the pale morning light illuminated his weary features. The deep shadows beneath his eyes and the tense line of his jaw spoke of the heavy burden he carried. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes before being replaced by tenderness. "Adelaide, where have you been? I've been worried sick about you."

I stepped forward quickly, grasping his calloused hands in mine. "I went to see Thalia. When I heard about Draven's disappearance, I was concerned about her condition." I took a deep breath, gathering courage to voice my decision. "Lycanthar, I need your permission. I want to go with Thalia to find Draven."

Lycanthar's brow furrowed immediately, his amber eyes flashing with resolute light as he shook his head firmly. "Absolutely not. War has begun, and the borders are unsafe. I cannot let you take such a risk."

"But we know where Draven is!" I said urgently, releasing his hands to gesture in the air. "Thalia found his location through divination magic. He's in an abandoned hunter's lodge about twenty miles northeast of Greymill village. And Thalia is Draven's mate—she can sense him, which is crucial for any rescue mission."

Lycanthar's expression grew thoughtful. "Thalia again..." he murmured, his voice low and contemplative. "Her magic is no simple matter—not something an ordinary human could master."

My heart tightened as I realized I had inadvertently exposed clues about Thalia's identity. But this wasn't the time to worry about that. I gripped Lycanthar's hands again, my voice trembling. "Please, Lycanthar. I... I am human too. I cannot stand by and watch the two peoples I love tear each other apart because of some conspiracy. Draven might hold key evidence to prove all of this. If we can rescue him, perhaps we can still prevent this war."

Lycanthar's gaze softened, and he gently caressed my cheek, his fingertips tender. "Do you know what you're saying? Draven is one of my strongest warriors. If even he was injured and went missing, you and Thalia going there could face even greater danger."

"I'm not afraid of danger," I said firmly, straightening my spine. "This is more important than my personal safety. For peace, for our future, for the two peoples I love deeply, I'm willing to take the risk."

Lycanthar gazed at me for a long moment, as if trying to memorize every trace of my determination. Finally, he slowly nodded. "Your courage never ceases to amaze me." He paused thoughtfully, his fingers tapping lightly on the windowsill. "I cannot leave now—I must handle legion affairs and respond to Garrick's provocations... but I'll have Vespera accompany you both. His desire for peace rivals yours, and his magical abilities will provide powerful protection."

"Thank you," I said with relief, my tense shoulders relaxing slightly.

"I'll announce that you're being protected in your chambers due to the war, and no one will be allowed to see you," Lycanthar continued, his eyes glinting with cunning. "This will cover your tracks. Garrick and his people won't become suspicious."

Lycanthar pulled me into his embrace, holding me tightly, his chin resting on the top of my head. I could feel the strong, steady beat of his heart in his chest. "Promise me you'll return safely. If anything happens to you... I don't know what I'd do."

I buried my face against his chest, feeling the warmth and scent of his body—my only source of security in this dangerous world. "I promise I'll return with Draven and the truth. For you, for our future."

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Zaroka

I stood on the stone balcony of my guest chambers, overlooking the werewolf castle's training grounds. Even at dawn, werewolf warriors had already begun their intense training, the sounds of clashing metal and low growls constantly echoing through the air. My rough green fingers gripped the balcony railing tightly, my heart filled with conflicting emotions.

Behind me, the door was knocked softly, and my lieutenant Grum entered the room, his tall frame bent slightly, carrying a scroll in his hands. "Princess, a messenger from the Chieftain has just crossed the border and arrived with urgent news."

I took the scroll, tearing open the beast bone seal unique to orc tribes, and quickly scanned the contents, my expression growing increasingly grave. My tusks left small indentations on my lips. "The humans actually proposed a high-profit alliance to my father? What are they promising?"

Grum replied in a low voice that rumbled like rolling stones: "Five silver mines on the border, usage rights to three trading ports, and seats at the magic academy that haven't been open for two hundred years."

"But we've already decided to ally with the werewolves!" I said angrily, punching the wall and leaving small cracks. "How can the orc clan go back on their word? This violates our honor!"

Grum looked troubled, his thick fingers intertwining uneasily. "Princess, the Council of Elders is concerned... since your marriage alliance plan with Commander Draven failed, they believe a mere treaty cannot establish a solid alliance. They remind the Chieftain that humans and werewolves once had good relations too, but humans ultimately betrayed the werewolves and collaborated with vampires. The elders worry history will repeat itself."

"That's a coward's excuse!" I slammed the scroll heavily onto the oak table, making the candlesticks shake slightly. "Isn't the loyalty and honor of the orc clan what we take pride in? On the battlefield, which orc would abandon their comrades?" I paused, my gaze becoming profound. "Moreover..." I recalled Vespera's words at the training ground, "Commander Vespera was right. War never truly solves problems—it only brings more hatred and suffering. The orcs of Grimstone Vale shouldn't participate in a war instigated purely for bloodshed."

Grum looked at me in surprise, his rough eyebrows rising high. "Princess, your thinking has changed considerably."

I nodded firmly, a rare gentleness flashing across my face. "Because I've seen different possibilities." I strode quickly toward the door, my armor clanking crisply as the pieces struck each other. "Prepare my battle axe and dire wolf. I need to find Commander Vespera."

"But Princess, the Council of Elders' decision..." Grum hesitated.

"Tell my father," I stopped at the doorway, turning back with eyes blazing with determination, "that Princess Zaroka will guarantee this alliance with her life and honor. If the werewolves betray us, I will personally offer my head. But I believe the real danger doesn't come from the werewolves, but from those enemies who fan the flames of war from the shadows. We should work together to find the truth, not become their pawns."

I strode out of the room, my mind made up. No matter what challenges I faced, I would uphold the honor of an orc warrior and fight for true peace.