Page 24 of A Crown of Fates

Neri’s fair blue eyes flash with defiance, but behind it there’s a fear of being betrayed, of promises broken too many times.

“What have you brought for us today, then?” she asks, looking pointedly at our empty hands. “Words don’t mean anything to us.”

“Understandable,” I reply, offering a sympathetic smile. “Though, I’ll be honest, I made the assumption that you were living in an active church.” I look up at the rotting ceiling. “So, I’ve come unprepared with anything other than an offer to move all of you into the castle.”

That has multiple growls echoing from the pups as Neri snarls. “We won’t be slaves.”

Gods, these poor children.

“And I wouldn’t allow such a thing,” I promise. “In fact, your friend Keera was sent to work for me, and I immediately relieved her of her duties and invited her to eat with me instead of serving me. I had hoped to provide her with a safe place to stay, but she left before I could follow through.”

The silence stretches out between us, heavy with uncertainty. And in that moment, I realize that helping these children will mean more than providing shelter and food. It will meanrebuilding trust that has long been shattered—piece by fragile piece.

“I promise each of you,” I tell them, slowly meeting each of their wide-eyed stares, “no matter what choice you make today, you will have food and proper places to sleep by the day’s end. I’ll have everything I can brought to you here if that’s what it takes to make sure you’re cared for, but I would also love to have you in the castle with me, where you’ll have much more available to you, without the expectation of anything in return.”

Neri turns to the others, and they huddle together. I could listen in if I wanted to, but I won’t force their hand, even if it’s for their own good.

I turn to Drea to give the kids some privacy, and there are tears in her eyes. “My heart has never hurt as much as it does now,” she whispers. “Can’t we just kidnap them like we talked about before?”

I force a tight smile, aching with the same desperation. “If we want this to work long term, taking them against their will probably isn’t the best idea.” I glance over my shoulder briefly to find they’re still speaking in hushed whispers. “Patience is going to be our best option after whatever they’ve been through.”

By my count, there are four of them. That doesn’t include Keera—or, possibly, the one she came back for. Though, it doesn’t matter how many we find. They’ll all get the same love and care and eventually proper homes, even if I have to send them to Polaris to find new parents, considering the pack members here haven’t already stepped up for the children.

Neri turns back to address me again, her chin held higher than before. “If you want to bring us things, we’ll accept, but we don’t want to move into the castle.”

I shouldn’t be surprised, yet my heart still constricts. “I can respect that. If you’ll help me make a list of things you need most, I’ll have them to you within a few hours.”

“But I can’t.” Keera’s voice comes from behind us.

Drea and I turn to find her standing there, still dressed in the castle uniform, with a little girl clinging to her left side.

Keera frowns at me. “I’m sorry I left the way I did, Princess Estee, but if you’ll take just some of us, the two of us would like to return with you.”

“I’ll take whoever wants to come and bring back supplies for anyone who isn’t yet ready,” I say loudly, making sure the children know it’s not one or the other. I won’t forsake those who need more time to trust me.

“Can I go too?” a little boy says from behind Neri, his eyes darting between me and her.

Neri’s expression softens as she rubs a hand over his mussed blond hair. “If the princess is offering, I won’t stop you.”

He runs to Keera, clinging to her other side before popping a thumb into his mouth.

I look back at Neri, trying to convey all the compassion and strength she deserves. “I promise you,” I say softly, “I will make this right for all of you.”

She lifts her chin even higher, eyes guarded but resigned. “I look forward to seeing you try.”

And I will. No matter what it takes—if I have to rebuild this church with my bare hands—these children will have a place to call home, full bellies, and all the love they deserve.

Anything less would be a failure I refuse to accept.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THEO

Stacks of papers lie spread out before me, their edges fraying from overuse, the ink smudged from my hands brushing over them repeatedly. Today, I’ve refused to let the piles gather more dust. Instead, I’ve combed through each document, hoping to make some sense of the kingdom’s state. For too long, I’ve ignored my role as king—partly because of my doubts about being worthy of this crown, and partly because I’ve felt buried alive under it all.

Jerome, always reliable, was by my side the entire day, guiding me through the mess I’ve neglected. That is, until Estee called him away.

The way he smiled after speaking with her made me wonder what was going on, but he said it might be more impactful if I waited to find out until everything was done.

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