Page 55 of Bearing Secrets
“Canis,” he spat. “I can’t prove it, but I would bet you any money that their upper leadership is behind it.”
“Why? I’m sorry, I don’t understand why anyone in Ursa would ever trust them. Don’t you hate each other?”
He shrugged. “It was just a rivalry, or so I’d thought. Kind of like brothers. Yes, there was no love lost between us, and we fought often, and occasionally even killed members of the other Houses. But if we were ever challenged by others, then we would all band together against them.”
“Others? What do you mean by others?”
Kirell hesitated. “It doesn’t matter,” he said after a moment, brushing it off. Now wasn’t the time to tell her about the human magic users and the hatred they had for shifters. That was another story for another day.
“Okay. How do you know it was the Canim? That’s the right term, right?”
She didn’t believe him, but he didn’t blame her; it was obvious he was avoiding answering the question. Still, she was going to let him continue without pressing, and he was thankful for that.
“Yes. House Canis. TheCanim. House Ursa, theUrsidae. But the reason is simple. They wanted to be in charge, and they weren’t. House Ursa has been the most powerful for over a century.” He declined to mention to her just what had happened to allow them to ascend over House Canis.
“And now the wolves are in charge?” Natalia was putting the pieces together, he could see it all happening in her head.
“Yes. Ursa is weakened. Still more powerful than Panthera or Raptere, mind you, but we are in no position to challenge Canis. They will rule the Council for the foreseeable future. It is not a good time.”
“What does all this have to do with Klebra and his hatred for us? Is he in league with the wolves as well?”
He pondered that question, as he’d done ever since Klebra had come forward. “I don’t think so. Not directly, at least.”
“You mean he’s working for someone who is?”
Kirell smiled at her. She was smart, and for someone who had no experience in this sort of environment, she was picking up on things quicker than he was expecting.
I need to make sure to give her more credit. Stop underestimating her.
“I think so. I thought we’d killed the leader of the coup, Captain Kven. But I’m starting to wonder if he was only the second in command to the real leader.”
“Who’s that?”
He shrugged. “I have exactly no clue. Whoever they are, they’ve kept themselves hidden extremely well.”
“What is Klebra’s plan then? And why were so many people looking at me as if they hated my guts, without even knowing me?”
Sighing, he rested his head on the back of the couch. “It all comes down to legitimacy. The former King was the rightful ruler of Ursa. He was the Knight, the heir to the House, and when his predecessor died—it’s not a blood lineage thing but dictated by the previous ruler—he ascended to the throne with his mate.”
“The Queen…who became ruler because her mate died, not because anybody appointed her. And I guess there are a lot of people who aren’t fond of that?”
He started to speak, but she held up her hand, eyes glazed over as she played that train of thought through.
“And of course, she nominated you to the position, so you’re also disliked by those people, and I, by forcing you to walk me around publicly, have now become associated with the Queen via you.” She buried her head in her hands. “Fuck, what the hell have I gotten myself involved in, Kirell? Some sort of blood feud? And what the hell isInvalidat?”
“It’s an ancient rite,” he said quietly, answering the most pertinent question first. “One that hasn’t been invoked in hundreds of years. It…tests the mate bond. To prevent this very thing.”
Natalia’s eyes were hard as she looked at him. “And how bad will it be if we’re forced to…do whatever is involved?”
“The worst,” he said quietly.
“The worst. You mean death. It will kill us.” She balled up a fist and smacked him in the arm.
The physical pain was negligible, but the hurt he felt was far greater than could be measured.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t think Klebra even knew about it, let alone would threaten to use it. Like I said, it’s been hundreds of years since it was last used, maybe more than a millennia, I don’t know. I’d have to go look it up.”
“It doesn’t matter!” she shouted. “You should have led with that. “Oh hey, I need you to pretend to love me, but also if anyone doubts us, they can subject us to a test that will kill you. Doesn’t that sound like a fun way to spend your weekend?”
