The Princess's Revenge Chapter 26

Valencia's POV

My heart hammered against my ribs. Hearing him confirm it made everything more real.

"I couldn't let you face that trial alone," Logan continued, his voice low. "I stayed in the shadows, made sure you had food, scared off the wolves that got too close. I knew if anyone found out, it would invalidate the trial. But I didn't care."

"Why?" I whispered. "Why risk it for me?"

Logan was silent for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice was different. Vulnerable in a way I'd never heard before.

"You're the only one who can calm Axel," he said. "That night in the forest, when you touched him, when he pressed his head into your hand—that's never happened before. Axel is violent, uncontrollable. I've spent my entire life fighting him, trying to keep him contained."

He turned to look at me fully. "But with you, he was gentle. Peaceful. Do you understand what that means? For the first time in my life, I wasn't afraid of what he might do during a full moon."

I felt tears prick at my eyes. I hadn't realized how much that moment had meant to him.

"There's something else," Logan said. He pulled something from his pocket—a small, leather-bound journal. My breath caught when I recognized it. His mother's journal.

"You remember this," he said. It wasn't a question.

"I'm sorry I went into her room," I said quickly. "I didn't mean to violate—"

"I know." Logan opened the journal to a specific page. "My mother spent years searching for someone. She wrote about a prophecy—the purple-eyed child who will bridge two worlds and bring vengeance at last."

He looked up at me. "You have purple eyes, Valencia. Eyes that are impossibly rare. The same eyes my mother was searching for before she died."

My mouth went dry. "You think I'm... the person from the prophecy?"

"I don't know what to think," Logan admitted. "But the coincidences are too many to ignore. Your eyes. The way Axel responds to you. Your resistance to cold, your rapid healing. You're not just a wolfless girl. You're something else. Something important."

The weight of his words pressed down on me.

"But it's more than that," Logan said, his voice dropping even lower. He set the journal aside and turned to face me fully. "I have feelings for you, Valencia."

My heart stopped. Then started again, beating so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.

"I've never felt this way about anyone," Logan continued. His hand reached out, hesitating in the air between us before gently cupping my cheek. "When I saw you tied to that pillar, waiting to die, something inside me broke. When Amara tried to kill you, I wanted to tear her apart. When you were on that mountain, I couldn't think about anything except whether you were safe."

Tears spilled down my cheeks. "Logan—"

"I want more," he said firmly. "I want to see where this goes between us. I want to court you properly. I want—" He paused, his thumb gently wiping away my tears. "I want you to be mine. Truly mine."

The tears came harder now. I couldn't stop them. For so many years, I'd believed I was worthless. Broken. Something to be used and discarded. And now this powerful Alpha was telling me he had feelings for me.

"I'm just a wolfless slave," I choked out. "Why would you—"

"You're not just anything," Logan cut me off, his voice fierce. "You survived fifteen years of abuse. You survived three days on that mountain. You have the courage to accept a challenge against a trained warrior even though you have no training. "

I couldn't speak. Couldn't form words. So I just nodded, tears streaming down my face.

"I want that too," I finally managed. "To see where this could go."

Logan's expression softened, something almost like relief crossing his face.

But then I took a deep breath and forced myself to continue. "But I need you to understand something. No sex. Not until we both truly want it. Not until I'm ready."

Logan nodded immediately. "Of course. When it happens—if it happens—it will be because we both want it. Not because you feel obligated."

"And I need honesty," I continued, my voice growing stronger. "No more secrets between us. Except for pack management—I understand you can't share everything. But about us, about what's happening between us, I need the truth."

"You'll have it," Logan promised.

"And I need time," I said. "Time to understand what this means. Time to figure out who I am, not just who I've been forced to be."

"Take all the time you need."

"And I need you to see me as equal," I finished. "Not just property. Not just someone you're protecting. An equal partner in whatever this becomes."

Logan was quiet for a moment. Then he reached out and took my hand in his. His palm was warm and calloused.

"We'll keep our current status in front of the pack," he said. "My personal attendant. It protects you while we figure this out. But between us, in private, you're not my property. You're—" He paused, searching for the right word. "You're mine in a different way. The way a mate is mine."

My breath caught at the word 'mate,' but Logan continued before I could process it.

"I agree to all of it," he said firmly. "Honesty. Time. Equality. When we're together physically, it will be because we both choose it. And I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe while you find yourself."

Relief flooded through me. He understood. He actually understood.

Logan's eyes suddenly focused on my neck. His expression darkened, and he reached out as if to touch the iron collar.

"That collar," he said, his voice rough with anger. "I'll remove it. Tonight."

Panic shot through me. I jerked back instinctively, my hand flying up to protect my neck.

"No!" The word came out sharp and desperate. "You can't!"

Logan froze, his hand still extended. "Valencia, what—"

"You can't remove it," I said, my voice breaking. "There are poison needles inside. Tiny mechanisms. If anyone tries to remove the collar by force, they'll trigger. The needles will pierce straight through my neck."

Logan's face went pale. Then red. Then darker than I'd ever seen it.

"What?" The word came out as a growl.

"Marcus did it to all his slaves," I explained, my hands shaking as I touched the cold iron around my throat. "He had a special blacksmith who built these collars. They're designed so that only someone with the exact key and knowledge of the mechanism can remove them safely. If you try to break them or cut them off—"

"The needles activate," Logan finished, his voice deadly quiet.

I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

Logan's hands clenched into fists. His whole body was rigid with barely controlled rage. "That bastard," he growled.

"Marcus is dead," I said softly. "He can't hurt anyone anymore."

He took a deep breath, visibly forcing himself to calm down. When he spoke again, his voice was controlled but intense.

"I'll find a way," he said. "I'll get it off safely. There has to be a way to disarm those needles."

I felt more tears spill down my cheeks, but these were different too. These were tears of gratitude. Of hope.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Before Logan could respond, we both heard rapid footsteps approaching. Dorian appeared at the entrance to the training area, his face urgent.

"Alpha," he said, slightly out of breath. "Urgent pack business requires your attention. We've found new information about the rogue attack."

Logan's jaw clenched with obvious frustration. He looked at me, then at Dorian, clearly torn.

"Go," I said quietly. "The pack needs you."

Logan stood slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Continue training. Work on your footwork like I showed you." His voice softened slightly. "But don't push yourself too hard."

He held my gaze for one more long moment, then turned and strode toward Dorian. They disappeared around the corner, their voices fading as they discussed whatever urgent matter had arisen.

I sat alone on the stone, the dagger still in my hand, my heart still racing from everything that had just happened.

Logan had feelings for me. Real feelings. And I had feelings for him too—feelings I was finally allowing myself to acknowledge.

I stood up and moved back to the center of the training area. My body was exhausted, but my mind was too full to rest. I needed to channel everything I was feeling into something productive.

I trained until evening without realizing how much time had passed. Exhausted, I made my way back to my room. The room was dark. I lay down on the bed. My mind was a mess of tangled thoughts, but my exhaustion was even greater. I fell into sleep.

"Valencia?"

Delphine's gentle voice pulled me from sleep. I blinked in the dim light, my eyes adjusting to the room lit only by a few flickering candles.

I rubbed my eyes, feeling disoriented. "Delphine?"

She was kneeling beside the bed and her eyes were warm with concern as she smiled at me. "Alpha Logan ordered me to bring you dinner. Are you hungry?"

My stomach answered before I could, growling loudly in the quiet room. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, but Delphine just laughed softly.

"I'll take that as a yes," she said, standing and moving toward a tray on the table.

I slowly sat up.

"Let me get you something to wear first." She pulled out a simple chemise and brought it to me. "Here, let me help you dress."

I shook my head, feeling strange about the offer. "I can manage. Thank you."

Delphine looked surprised but stepped back. I found it odd that she was offering to help me dress. I was just a slave, after all. Why would she treat me like someone important?

I stood carefully, my head spinning, and slipped the chemise over my head.

"What time is it?" I walked to the table and sat down, my legs still feeling unsteady, suddenly realizing I had no idea how long I'd been asleep.

"Six o'clock in the evening," Delphine replied.

My eyes widened in surprise. "Evening? I slept that long?"

"You needed the rest," she said kindly, setting the tray in front of me.

I stared at the food - venison pie and something that looked like a rich stew. The smells made my mouth water. I picked up the wooden spoon with trembling hands and took my first bite of the pie. The flavors exploded in my mouth - tender meat, herbs, pastry that practically melted on my tongue. It was incredible.

Tears gathered in my eyes. To go from starving to having food like this available whenever I wanted it - it felt like a dream. The simple act of eating when I was hungry, without begging or scraping for scraps, overwhelmed me with gratitude.

"Valencia? Are you alright?" Delphine asked, noticing my emotional reaction.

I quickly wiped my eyes and nodded. "I'm fine. The food is just... very good."

She smiled warmly. "I'm glad you like it. Cook made the Mortrews especially for you."

I took another bite of the pie, savoring every morsel. Outside the window, I could see flickering lights and shadows dancing against the castle walls. There seemed to be some kind of activity happening in the courtyard.

"What's going on out there?" I asked, nodding toward the window.

Delphine's face lit up with excitement. "Oh, that's Isaiah! He's performing tonight."

"Isaiah?" I asked, curious about the obvious joy in her voice.

"He's a traveling minstrel who visits us sometimes," she explained, moving closer to the window. "He tells the most amazing stories and sings the most beautiful songs. He has this way of making everyone forget their troubles."

I watched Delphine's expression as she spoke about this Isaiah. Her eyes sparkled, and her voice took on a dreamy quality. There was definitely something more than casual interest there.

"You seem to know him well," I observed.

Delphine blushed slightly. "He's been coming to Cliffwatch Pack for about two years now. Always has new tales from his travels. He's seen so much of the world."

"And you like his stories," I said.

"His stories are wonderful," she said softly. "But it's more than that. Isaiah sees beauty in everything, even in dark places. He makes people laugh when they want to cry. He's... special."

The way she said the word 'special' confirmed my suspicions. Delphine was definitely smitten with this traveling minstrel.

"Where did Alpha Logan go?" I asked, changing the subject to spare her further embarrassment.

"Ironwatch Border," she replied, her expression growing more serious.

"Where's that?"

Delphine moved away from the window and sat in the other chair. "It's our northern border with Aldermere. About 120 miles from here, along the Grey River."

I tried not to react to the mention of Aldermere, my homeland. "That sounds far."

"It is. But it's the most important border in all of Valdoria," Delphine explained. "It's our first line of defense against Aldermere invasion. The two armies have been facing each other across the river for over a year now."

My heart clenched. If Alpha Logan was at the border, he was facing my people. The thought made me feel sick.

"Is there fighting?" I asked carefully.

"Not major battles, but there are skirmishes. Patrol clashes, mostly. Both sides are watching. Everyone knows that when the real war starts, it will begin at Ironwatch Border."

I took another bite of food, though my appetite was fading. "Why did he go there?"

"There are always issues that require the Alpha's attention," Delphine said. "Troop movements, supply problems, strategic decisions. Alpha Logan spends a lot of time there, especially lately."

"Lately?"

"Since the rogue attack at the funeral. There are concerns that it might be connected to the border tensions somehow."

I frowned. "How could rogues be connected to the war?"

"No one knows for sure. But the timing was suspicious."

I nodded, though my mind was spinning with implications. "How did Alpha Logan become the Alpha of Cliffwatch Pack?" I asked, taking another sip of the Mortrews.

"Three years ago, Cliffwatch Pack's Alpha was still Alpha Nolan," Delphine replied.

I nearly choked on my drink. "Alpha Nolan? Who is Alpha Nolan?"

Delphine stared at me in shock. "You don't know who Alpha Nolan was? He was the Alpha King's youngest son. But he was assassinated three years ago."