Page 4 of Bearing Secrets
“I’m tired, my Queen. And in pain. But I don’t think I took any blows to the head,” he managed with a smile.
“A mirror would beg to differ with you.”
They shared a quiet chuckle, while behind her, the Queen’s bodyguards faced outward, ready to intercept any threat. Kirell didn’t bother to ask about the other traitors, the ones gunned down. It was a stupid question, and there was only one possible outcome.
“Why?” he asked sadly. “Why did they do it, Your Majesty? I don’t understand.”
He was confused. And hurt. Not just physically, but mentally as well. His trust had been betrayed, the trust in his fellow Ursidae fractured and nearly broken. Only the fact that most of his close friends had remained loyal allowed Kirell to feel somewhat better about himself.
“Power,” she replied. “It’s always about power, Kirell, as you will learn.”
As he would learn?
“What do you mean, my Queen?”
“Our House is in disarray, Kirell. That much is obvious. Many of our Title Holders are dead. We have no Champion, no Captain, no Hunter or Knight, among others.” She hung her head sadly. “And we have no King.”
Kirell kept silent, letting her mourn for her mate. The King had been the ruler of House Ursa for a long time. The Ursidae had no issues with a female ruler; it had happened before. It all came down to who was nominated to the position of Knight, heir to the House. That person would be the next ruler, with their mate by their side.
Although she would now rule, after having been little more than a sounding board for her mate, Kirell doubted the Queen much cared. She would give it all up to have her mate back, he knew. The entire House had always been in awe of the love the pair showed for one another, holding it up like a shining beacon, something to strive for.
Now, he was gone.
“We will recover,” he said confidently.
“I know. But I cannot appoint people to fill those positions yet,” the Queen said quietly. “Not until I’m convinced of their loyalty.”
Kirell frowned, not sure why she was telling him this.
“We cannot go without Title Holders,” he said eventually, finally sensing his part to play in the conversation and taking it.
“No, we cannot. So, we must move quickly to ensure any who are appointed are loyal to the House. To me.” His Queen’s eyes bored into him.
“Of course.” Kirell was confused about what it all meant.
“Only the Captain can conduct such investigations, with the property authority.”
Kirell had a bad feeling about this. “You are saying you must nominate a new Captain, and wait for them to approve of your next choices? Is that right?”
“Yes, Kirell. You must find me the rest of the traitors in our midst, and swiftly.”
Frowning, Kirell shook his head. “But Your Majesty, you just said only the Captain has that authority.”
“That I did, Kirell.” There was a glimmer of laughter in her eyes now.
“But I am not…”
“You are now. I hereby nominate you, Kirell Ursa, to be the next Captain of High House Ursa.”
His jaw dropped. “My Queen, I am honored by your trust in me, I truly am. But I cannot be your Captain.” His eyes dropped. “I am unmated. To be nominated as a Title Holder, I must have a mate.”
The Queen nodded slowly. “I am aware of this, Kirell. But in times of turmoil, we must do what needs to be done. Youwillbe my next Captain. There isn’t time to spare.” Her gaze turned outward, down the Grand Hallway to the entrance of Ursidae Manor. “Something is coming, Kirell. Something big.” Her gaze switched back to him, hitting him with the full weight of her power. “We must be ready. All of us.”
He thought about arguing again, but the Queen’s words had chilled him. What could possibly be coming that was worse than what they’d just endured?
The idea of breaking the rules, of outright lying to the others… it rubbed him wrong. Kirell wasn’t happy about it, but how could he disobey his Queen, after all he’d done to support her as the rightful ruler? If he did that now, he was just as likely to be called a traitor as anything.
“Is there no one else?” he asked.
