Page 19 of Abel

“You’ll never forgive me for making you a wolf, will you?”The king placed his bloody handkerchief in his lap.

“I forgive you.I know I wouldn’t have the life I have now if not for you.I just wish you would have asked me, instead of saying nothing and making me figure it out on my own.”

“I had to make you strong.”Lycaon’s eyes softened.“You had to be angry, hard, brutal.I didn’t like seeing you take it out on my daughter, but you are strong for her now, when she needs it, and you wouldn’t have that strength without that burning anger toward me.”

God, he hated that the old man was right.His anger did help harden him off from most people, but he’d been a fool to direct it at Esme.“Why did you bring me here?What is it that you wanted me to do?”

Leaning forward so that his fragile face caught in the candlelight that filled the room.“If I have to spell it out for you, then you are not the man for the job.”

Abel nodded and held out his hand.It was all the confirmation he needed.Lycaon didn’t fear war, he feared his daughter losing her life to a ravaged beast on her wedding night and him not being able to save her.“If that’s the case, hand it over, so I can do what needs to be done.”

Lycaon held up a shaky sickly arm, his balled-up fist looked like wet gossamer stretched too thin over porcelain bone.Slowly, he dropped something heavy in Abel’s outstretched hand.“Do what must be done.It’s all on you now, my boy.”

“I’m assuming your intelligence network already knows who Remus’s spies are in the castle.”

Another coughing fit gripped Lycaon as he tried to nod.

Abel grinned.“I want the spies taken out as soon as I give the signal.Make it happen.I have to have a talk with your son.”

* * *

Abel foundNyc sitting alone in front of the roaring fireplace inside the old king’s library.As he stepped into the room, he was immediately enveloped in an ambiance of history.Tall, imposing bookshelves lined the walls, their dark mahogany wood exuding an aura of history and mystique.The shelves were stacked with volumes, their leather-bound spines bearing titles that whispered of forgotten tales and ancient legends.Dust motes danced in the warm, flickering light of the fireplace, creating a soft, ethereal glow that added an air of enchantment to the room.Nyc turned to look at him and shook his head.“Well, how’d it go?”

“Not well,” Abel admitted.He took a seat in Lycaon’s worn out leather chair and propped his boots up on the stones protruding from the hearth.“When did she find out that she can’t have kids?”

“Not too long ago.”Nyc poked a stick at the fire.“She thought going to a psychic would be fun, but it turns out, it ruined her life.”

Abel’s thoughts wandered to Mika.Psychics were always hit or miss when delivering bad news.“How’d Remus find out?”

“Spies.He has them everywhere.”

“I’ve always known him to be a brutal businessman, but when did he start acquiring wolf kingdoms?”

Nyc placed his chin in his hand.“A few years back.It’s the same old song and dance.He’ll find a king’s weakness and exploit it under the threat of war and eventually, he gets what he wants and death is left in his wake.”

“Has anyone refused?”Abel asked.

“One or two, but they’ve been small enough that Remus crushes them fairly quickly.Now everyone is too scared to stand up to him.”

“We’re going to war, Nyc.I know it’s not your thing, but I’m gonna ask you to stand by my side.”

Nyc snapped his head up.“Excuse me?”

“How big is the Lycaon army?”

“It’s big enough to take on Remus, but still, not without casualties.”

“Casualties are a part of protecting what is yours.”

“Esme is doing this to avoid a war.She doesn’t want our father to die leading his troops into battle.”

Abel stood up, slipping the silver signet ring on his finger, and let out a low and warning growl.“Your father won’t be leading the army.”

Nyc’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide and locked on the Arcadian crest staring back at him.“Alright, let’s do this then.”

CHAPTER10

All Abel wanted wasto get to the altar and marry his beloved, but before that could happen he had to see her one last time.A chorus of women’s voices rang from behind the chamber door, Esmeralda’s voice among them.Although she didn’t sound quite as joyful as the others, it was clear she was trying.He raised his knuckles to the door and gave a gentle rap.

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