Vanished Sisters: The Lycan King's Slave Island Chapter 116

Natasha's POV

"This last one is for your housing assignment. It authorizes you and your sister to occupy the chambers I mentioned. Prevents any other Lycan from questioning your presence there."

He worked quickly. Efficiently. Within minutes, he had three documents prepared.

"Here." He handed them all to me. "Guard these carefully. The first gives you access to the King's Den. The second protects your sister from being sent to Mordred. The third confirms your housing assignment."

I took them reverently. Clutched them to my chest. "I'll keep them safe."

"See that you do." Fergus moved toward the door again. "You can move to your new quarters tonight if you want. Or wait until tomorrow. Your choice."

"Tonight," I said immediately. "If that's allowed. I want to tell my sister as soon as possible."

"Fine." He opened the door. Then paused. Looked back at me.

"One more thing," he said. His voice dropping to something almost grave. "You need to understand what you're walking into. What you've agreed to."

"I know it's dangerous—"

"It's not just dangerous," Fergus interrupted. "There are people in this fortress who don't want Mordred to recover. Who benefit from his madness."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"A feral King is easy to control," Fergus said bluntly. "While Mordred is lost to the beast, the three Grand Lords rule in his place. We make the decisions. We hold the power. We've built our own bases of influence."

He stepped closer. "If Mordred regains his sanity—regains his full authority as King—that changes everything. Some of my fellow Lords would see that as... problematic."

"You think someone might try to stop me?" I asked. Fear creeping into my voice.

"I think someone might try to kill you," Fergus said flatly. "To ensure Mordred never recovers. To maintain the current power structure."

My blood ran cold. "I—I understand."

"Do you?" He studied my face. "Do you truly understand that from this moment on, your life is in danger? That you'll need to watch your back every second of every day?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"It could be anyone," Fergus continued. "A servant who poisons your food. A guard who arranges an 'accident.' Another slave who's been bribed or threatened. You can't trust anyone."

He met my eyes. "Well. Almost anyone."

"What do you mean?"

"You can trust me," Fergus said. "Because I'm the one who actually wants Mordred restored. I'm the one who remembers what he was like before. Who believes he can be that again."

He moved closer. Close enough that I could see the scars on his face clearly. The evidence of old battles.

"If you're in danger—if you suspect someone is trying to harm you—you come to me immediately. Don't wait. Don't try to handle it yourself. You come directly to me. Understood?"

"Yes, my Lord," I said. "I understand."

"Good." He stepped back. "Now go. Take your sister to your new quarters. Rest. Heal. Tomorrow, your real work begins."

I nodded. Started toward the door.

My hand was on the handle when Fergus spoke one last time.

"For what it's worth," he said quietly, "I hope you succeed. Truly."

I looked back. "Why, my Lord? Because you want the King back?"

"Yes," Fergus said. "But also because..." He paused. Seemed to be choosing his words carefully. "Because if you fail, more people will die."

He looked away. "There are threats coming. Dangers I can't explain right now. And we need our King. Not a beast. Not a puppet. But a true leader."

---

I left Fergus's chambers in a daze. The documents clutched to my chest. My mind spinning with everything he'd said.

*People might try to kill me. To keep Mordred feral. To preserve their power.*

It was terrifying. But somehow... not surprising. I'd learned quickly that in this fortress, power was everything. And people would do anything to keep it.

I made my way through the corridors. Back toward the slave quarters. To find Davelina.

The halls were quiet. Most of the fortress had settled for the night. I passed a few servants. They looked at me curiously but said nothing.

When I reached our cramped room, it was empty.

*She must be with Lucy.*

I hurried down the corridor to Lucy's tiny chamber. Knocked softly.

"Come in," Lucy's voice called.

I pushed open the door.

Both of them were there. Davelina and Lucy. Sitting on Lucy's narrow cot. Talking in hushed voices.

They looked up when I entered. Relief washed over their faces.

"Natasha!" Davelina jumped up. Rushed to me. "Are you alright? What happened? Did Lord Fergus—"

"I'm fine," I said quickly. "Everything's fine. Better than fine, actually."

I held up the documents. "We're moving. Tonight. To better quarters."

Lucy's eyes widened. "Moving? Where?"

"To private chambers," I said. Still barely believing it myself. "Real rooms. Near the King's Den. Lord Fergus arranged it."

Davelina stared at me. "Private chambers? You mean—not the barracks?"

"Two rooms," I confirmed. "One for each of us. With real beds. And privacy. And—" My voice caught. "And we'll be safer there. Protected."

Davelina's eyes filled with tears. Happy tears. "Oh Natasha."

She threw her arms around me. Careful of my wounded stomach. But holding me tight.

"Shh," I soothed. Stroking her hair. "It's okay. Everything's okay."

Lucy stood. Came closer. Her expression was a mixture of joy and sadness. "This is wonderful."

She hesitated. "But why? Why would Lord Fergus give you better quarters?"

I'd prepared for this question. Had my answer ready.

"He wants me to spend time with the King," I said carefully. "Mordred seems calmer when I'm around. Lord Fergus thinks I might help keep him controlled. So he's giving me access to the Den. And rooms nearby so I'm close."

It was true. Just not the whole truth.

Davelina pulled back. Looked at me with concern. "That sounds dangerous, Natasha."

"The King won't hurt me. He protects me even. And I'll be careful," I promised. "And this way, at least we'll have somewhere decent to sleep. Somewhere safe."

Lucy moved to a small trunk in the corner. "Here." She pulled out folded fabric. "I've been saving these. Extra blankets. A pillow I managed to... acquire. Take them. For your new rooms."

"Lucy, we can't—" Davelina started.