The Rouge ls a Female Alpha (Zephyrine) novel Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Lyannar

Finished

The hoofbeats of my horse clattered against the stone as I rode through the wide–open gates and pulled into the royal stables.

1 dismounted in one find motion, tossing the reins to the stablehand who rushed forward without a word.

My cloak came off next, heavy and dark with the scent of night, and I handed it to my eunuch already waiting in the shadows

Where are my sisters?” I demanded, striding forward.

“In the Steel Chamber,” he replied quickly. “But Princess Serena is locked in her chambers.” He hesitated. “Per your order.”

Ah, yes, I remembered now. I’d been furious earlier. furious that she wasn’t treading carefully, moving wisely. But looking at myself now, I could hardly claim I was treading lightly either.

I went straight to Serena’s door. The guards parted the moment they saw me, and her maids swung the door open.

She sat on her bed, shoulders bare, a book in her lap. At the sight of me, she rolled her eyes and turned her back.

For a few seconds I stood there, silent. Then I crossed the room, climbing onto the bed until I was close enough to tuck her hair gently away from her face.

“I’m going to the Steel Chamber, Serena,” I said softly

Her jaw clenched, but she didn’t pull away,

“And I hope you lose your mind in there.”

The words should have stung, but they didn’t. If anything, they weighed heavier on me, not for their cruelty, but because I knew she didn’t mean them.

I caught her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze.

“You know how much you mean to me, don’t you? You and Mearez. The whole world is nothing compared to the two of you.

I pressed a soft kiss to her lips and pulled away, heading for the door.

“Release her,” I told the guards as I passed.

I didn’t wait to see their reaction. My steps carried me down the din corridor toward the Steel Chamber, the air heavy with the cold scent of iron.

The hall forked toward two destinations. The Steel Chamber and the Black Tower. I stopped when I saw her. Mearez, waiting. pacing like a caged thing.

We are not ordinary royalty. Few know the truth. Our family has power, ancient power. Wealth beyond reason. And secrets. The darkest ones.

“Lycannar,” Mearez breathed immediately she saw me and rushed into my arms.

1 kissed her softly, but paused when I felt the wet trail of her tears,

“You’re crying?” 1 murmured, hurt.

“No, I’m not,” she lied, her heartbeat pounding so hard I could hear it. “The witch said the agony will be worse now that you are king

“I be fine, Mearez,” I told her, brushing her tears away,

Her eyes, those beautiful, aching eyes, looked at me like she was memorizing my face.

“Let’s go,” she whispered.

Chapter 34

#Finished

I followed her down the corridor, past the first door, the second, the third until we reached the fifth and final one.

Beyond it lay the Steel Chamber, not truly made of steel, but of an impenetrable ancient alloy. Claw marks scarred the walls. Chams hung from hooks, waiting.

The firelamps burned low in the corners, casting long, violent shadows. I swallowed when I saw the chains had multiplied.

Becoming king had strengthened them. Strengthened me. Strengthened my beasts.

The guards moved to bind me. I stood in silence, wondering if this was my destiny for the rest of my life. Then I turned to Mearez, cupping her chin.

“Zephyrine?”

“Whatever happens, she must not be harmed. She is mine. Only mine. You know that, don’t you?”

“I won’t be able to leave this chamber tonight, tomorrow, or the next. Anything can happen in those days. You buy time. When I return, I’ll handle it. My voice dropped to a growl. “Do you understand?”

1 stepped into the center of the chamber. Chains clasped around my ankles, my waist. When they reached for my wrists, the door opened and Serena entered.

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