An hour later, the freezing night air was replaced by the quiet warmth of the palace bedchamber. A single candle flickered on the washstand, casting long, soft shadows across the room.

Odesse lay flat on her back on the large bed, staring up at the carved wooden ceiling. Valex had completely collapsed onto her side, his heavy head resting squarely on her chest. His eyes were closed, and his face was buried against the soft fabric of her gown as if he were trying to hide from the rest of the world.

Odesse moved her hand in slow, rhythmic motions through his thick hair, her fingers gently caressing his scalp.

"I don’t think I will be able to forgive myself," Valex whispered, his voice incredibly low and rough from hours of quiet strain.

"Why do you say that, my king?" Odesse replied softly, her chest rising and falling beneath his weight.

He replied, "I should have been there when she didn’t respond to the letter quickly. I should have known something was wrong."

Odesse’s voice was low and comforting as she said, "You couldn’t have known, my king. No one could have known what she was going through."

Valex tightened his eyes and said, "But it is all my fault. She tried protecting me, and I felt nothing for her."

Odesse gently caressed his face and said, "I repeat again, my king, you could not have known. She did not tell anyone about it. Nothing is your fault." As tears rolled down Valex’s cheeks, Odesse continued, looking at the ceiling with a wry smile, "Do not blame yourself for whatever happened to your mother. I was always unfair to myself after my parents died, thinking I could have saved them. I blamed myself for their deaths, but I have come to realize that I should not blame and hurt myself for something I never knew about."

Valex raised his head and looked at her. She smiled back at him and said, "Whatever I was never aware of cannot kill me. So do not blame yourself for anything."

He looked at her with a smile and said, "You are truly my savior, my love, because I do not know what I would have done in this moment without you by my side."

Odesse smiled widely, showing her teeth, and replied, "And anyway, now we’re both orphans."

Valex laughed, and she watched him closely with a smile. "You should rest, my king," she said. "You haven’t shut your eyes since we arrived yesterday."

"I need rest too, my love," he replied.

She nodded and said, "I will rest once you have rested."

Valex let out a long, shuddering breath, his large hands resting lazily around her waist as he placed his head back on her chest. He closed his eyes slowly and said, "I love you, my love."

Odesse smiled as she continued to caress his hair. "I love you too, my king."

The tension that had held his shoulders high for two straight days finally began to drain out of him. Within minutes, the heavy, even rhythm of his breathing filled the quiet room. He was completely asleep, safely anchored by her touch.

Odesse continued to stroke his hair for a few more minutes, ensuring he was deeply under. Carefully, inch by inch, she slid out from beneath him, replacing her weight with a soft velvet pillow so he wouldn’t wake. She pulled the heavy blankets over his shoulders, pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, and slipped out of the room.

Needing a breath of air that didn’t feel heavy with grief, Odesse walked down the quiet corridors and stepped out into the stone courtyard. The moon was high, casting a silver glow over the empty space.

Near the side entrance of the servants’ quarters, a small figure was packing up empty water basins. Odesse recognized the soft silhouette immediately.

"Cara," Odesse called out softly, her voice carrying lightly across the stones.

Cara turned around quickly, dropping her cloth into the basin as her eyes widened. "Odesse—your highness," she corrected herself quickly, stepping forward with a hesitant look. "What are you doing out here? Is the King alright?"

"He is sleeping," Odesse said, walking over to meet her by the stone archway. A tired but genuine smile touched her lips. "And please, when it is just us, call me Odesse."

Cara’s shoulders dropped in relief, and a warm smile spread across her face despite the dark circles under her eyes. "You look completely exhausted."

Odesse let out a soft sigh, leaning her back against the cool stone pillar. "I am, but it hasn’t been easy for his highness."

Cara nodded slowly, her eyes softening with deep empathy. "Seeing the King up close today, seeing how much he actually cares... it makes me realize how much King Malrik lied to this pack." She reached out, gently placing her hand over Odesse’s arm. "He is lucky to have you. I knew you were special when you lived here, and you are exactly what he needed to survive this."

Odesse looked down at Cara’s hand, her chest warming against the chill of the night. For the first time in days, she felt like she could breathe. "Thank you, Cara. You have no idea how much it means to see a friendly face right now."

Cara smiled and asked, "How does it feel to be a wolf and a queen?"

Odesse looked down and then up at Cara. "You don’t see me differently, do you?"

Cara shook her head. "Of course not, Odesse. Why would I? You are my best friend. I always knew there was something different about you."

Odesse looked at her with warm eyes. "Like what?"

Cara put on a thoughtful expression. "Well, your appetite was very large; you always ate a lot."

Odesse laughed. "Really?"

Cara nodded. "Yes, of course! Your sense of smell was impeccable, and don’t get me started on your strength. Even without all this, your physical attributes made me think you were different. That’s why I love you so much. You were always special."

Tears rolled down Odesse’s cheeks as she looked at her friend. Cara continued, tightening her grip on Odesse’s hands softly. "I am really happy you found love and your true self. When I heard about your wedding, I was shocked! The shop seller said it was a girl who disguised herself as human but was actually a wolf."

Odesse raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Is that what they were saying?"

Cara laughed and nodded.

Odesse looked around and back at Cara, sighing. "Where is Miss Miris?"

Cara’s face turned sad. "After everything that happened, some of the servants went back to their home pack, and so did Miss Miris."

Odesse asked Cara, "Why didn’t you leave?"

Cara replied, "Because I don’t know who to return to. I came here an orphan, just like you, so I have no family to go back to."

Odesse glanced past Cara and saw a mother and son sitting outside. Cara turned and looked back at Odesse saying, "Some servants didn’t leave; they stayed here, just like me, waiting for the new royal family."

Odesse looked at Cara, whose head was down, and placed her hands on her shoulders. Cara looked at her, and Odesse said with a smile, "Why don’t you come with me to the palace tomorrow?"

Cara’s eyes opened wide. "What!"

Odesse smiled and said, "His highness has been trying to find a personal maid for me, but he doesn’t trust anyone yet. I know this may seem insulting to—"

Cara quickly interrupted, pulling her into a tight hug. "Oh dear heavens, thank you, Odesse!"

Odesse’s eyes opened wide in surprise.

Cara continued, "You have no idea how happy I am!" She pulled away and looked at Odesse. "This is no insult, Odesse. It’s a blessing. I get to serve you; it’s a reward that anyone would want."

As tears rolled down their cheeks, the two women looked at each other and laughed. Odesse’s voice became enthusiastic as she said, "I shall tell his highness first thing in the morning." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Cara nodded, hugging her again. "Thank you, Odesse."

Odesse smiled and replied, "I see no reason to thank me, Cara. You have been my best friend for as long as I can remember; I couldn’t possibly leave you here."

Odesse pulls back slowly, smiling as she says, "You better pack up now. You’ll be leaving from here tomorrow." Cara replies, "What if His Highness declines?" Odesse smirks and says, "He won’t."

Cara cleans the tears from her eyes and advises, "You should get some rest, Odesse." Odesse smiles and responds, "Yes, I shall be going now."

Cara sniffs and says, "Goodnight, Your Highness." Odesse smiles back and replies, "We’re alone, Cara."

Cara insists, "Respect is respect, Your Highness, whether in private or public." Odesse’s heart warms at her words as she wishes, "Goodnight, Cara." She then turns and walks toward the palace doors, entering inside.

Cara looks around and smiles when her eyes meets Kael, who is talking to a guard. She tilts her head and beams at him.

...

The sun shone brightly on the Silverclaw, and the air was finally thin enough to breathe. Odesse, still on the bed with her body feeling weak but light, slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. She glanced at the bed but saw no sign of Valex. Trying to raise herself up, she was startled when the door opened slowly. Valex walked in, his face brightening with a smile as he looked at her.

"You’re awake, my love," he said. Odesse smiled back and replied, "Good morning, my king." He walked over to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "How was your night, my love?" he asked.

"It was good," she responded slowly, then looked at him closely. "How are you, my king?"

"I’m doing better knowing I have you with me," Valex answered. She smiled warmly at him.

"The carriage will be ready for our departure soon, my love," he said, sitting down on the bed next to her legs. Odesse’s eyes widened. "Oh my, I haven’t gotten ready," she exclaimed, attempting to get off the bed.

"Why the rush, my love?" Valex asked as he looked up at her.

"How could I wake up so late?" she replied.

"What does it matter?" he responded.

Odesse looked at him calmly. "Azure said a queen should never wake up late." Valex tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "Is Azure going to be a problem?" he asked. "Why is she stressing my wife so much?"

Odesse looked down. "It’s still so hard for me in this queen status, my king," she admitted. Valex smiled and gently said, "No, no. Come here." He stretched his arm toward her. Odesse took his hand, and Valex gently pulled her to sit sideways on his lap.

Looking up at her, he said, "I do not wish for you to stress yourself, my love." Odesse pouted and replied, "But I need to be an amazing queen to stay by your side."

"But you are already the best queen; don’t underestimate yourself, my love," Valex assured her. "It takes many women to learn the basics to stay by a king’s side, but it takes only one to understand his darkest feelings and still be with him, and you, my love, are that one."

Odesse’s face turned red as she smiled warmly and said, "Thank you, my king." Valex looked at her with a comforting smile.

"Oh yes, my king," she suddenly remembered. "I met an old friend yesterday, Cara. We’ve been best friends since I lived here." Her voice became low as she added, "She has nowhere else to go after everything that happened, and I suggested she become my personal maid since you haven’t found one yet. She is trustworthy and..."

Valex immediately interrupted, "Done, my love." Odesse looked at him, surprised. "Are you serious, my king?" she asked.

"Why ask for my permission? I trust your decision. If you feel she is the one to help you, then so be it," Valex replied.

Odesse lunged at him, causing both of them to tumble onto the bed. "Thank you, my king!" she exclaimed. She kissed his lips quickly, then began kissing his face with a huge smile on her own.

Valex chuckled and said, "I don’t think you want us to be late, my queen, because I fear if you stay on me any longer, I won’t be letting you go anytime soon."

Odesse paused, looking at him, her cheeks painted red as he smiled back.