Chapter 97: The Confession and the Blame

Addams Wesley's boby sat slumped in his bonds, his body had one large bruise from the interrogation in the hands of Kael and his men. That smirk that had seemed forever glued to his face had fled, a grimace of defeat on the face of a man cornered. Kael leaned in low and deadly. "You're going to tell me everything. No more games, Wesley. What did you do to Alpha Ileus?" Addams coughed again, this time hoarse but tinged with reluctant humor. "You wolves are tenacious; I give you that." Kael planted a fist onto the table, slamming down as Addams cringed back. "Answer me! Addams exhaled hard, setting his head back against cold stone. "Alright. You want the truth? I'll give it to you. I cast a spell on your Alpha. One powerful-one he didn't even realize was there. The room was silent; the weight of his words sank in like a stone dropped into still water. Kael's jaw clenched, and from the bottom of one of the guard's throats, a low growl began to rise. Then quiet Reika stepped forward from her post at the door, her eyes alive and afire with anger. "What manner of spell, Wesley? Speak! Addams's gaze flickered to her, his lip curling in a faint sneer. "A death spell. It is designed to weaken him, to wear away at his strength until there is nothing left. Slowly, painfully. Reika's breath caught. "No." She stumbled back, her hand clenching at her chest as though the confession had struck her bodily. Kael grasped Addams by his collar, hauling him partly off the ground. "Is there an antidote? Tell me there's a way to break it!" Addams gave a mirthless chuckle. "There is no potion, no antidote. The Alpha is going to have to fight for his life. If he is strong enough, he may survive. But if not." His voice trailed off, the implication clear. Reika's knees buckled, and she fell if not for Daisy, who was at her side in an instant. "Reika," Daisy whispered, shaking, "don't give up. Ileus is a fighter. He will pull through." Reika shook her head, tears streaming unchecked down her face. "It's my fault," she said, her voice breaking as she wheeled to face Addams. "I brought him here, invited that monster in! Addams' face darkened. "Revenge. Your Alpha killed my kin, erased an entire generation of my people. Do you think the fae forget? I was sent to assure his downfall. Kael slammed Addams back against the wall, fangs bared. "You will pay for this, Wesley. Mark my words." --- The Kingdom in Disarray News of the confession sent wildfire through the halls of Addams, and with each step, anxiety crept alongside happy joy from the remnants of the birthday that had not dissipated. The stir brought in regard to the condition of Ileus became enough that the elders on the council saw and demanded the time of Reika. White-faced and shaking, Reika was standing over the lifeless form of Ileus in this small infirmary. The strong, commanding presence she knew had turned pale and clammy, showing no vitality in his body. She worked her fingers through his hair, her voice coming low and husky as she begged, "Come back to me, Ileus. Please." Daisy filled the doorway, her expression a mask of reluctance. "Reika, the council elders have come. They wish to see you. Reika closed her eyes, drawing a shaky breath. 'What do they want now? Can't they see we're in the middle of a crisis?" 'They're worried about the kingdom," Daisy said gently. 'Without Ileus, the pack is vulnerable. They need reassurance." Reika nodded, though her heart was heavy. 'Fine. I'll speak to them." --- Ariadna's Return A figure slithered out of the darkness as Reika approached. The look the woman dropped on her was if boring deep inside, full of anger and disgust. "So," Ariadna said coldly, "it is here, chaos, brought us by your great plans." Reika stood tall. "Ariadna, it isn't time for this accusations. Ariadna moved forward and continued with, "If not for the fact now, had you not insisted on that flashy fete and then invited everybody under the sun, this place would have not seen a footfall from Addams Wesley and Ileus would never have gone and lain inside that bed, fighting for life! Reika's fists were clenched, and her voice shook with emotion. "You think I wanted this? You think that I don't regret every choice taken to get to this point? I love Ileus more than anything, and I'll give my life so he may live!" "Then maybe you should have thought about that before playing queen," Ariadna spat. Daisy, who had been following quietly, stepped forward. 'That's enough, Ariadna. Reika has done nothing but fight for this kingdom, for Ileus. Blaming her won't change what happened." Ariadna scoffed. 'No, but maybe it'll make her realize the weight of her actions. A queen isn't just a title, Reika. It's a responsibility. One you've clearly failed to uphold." Reika's composure finally cracked. 'Get out, Ariadna. Now." Ariadna's eyes had slitted, but she'd said nothing more. Sharp as a knife, she pivoted and disappeared down the corridor, leaving Reika standing in the silence of her accusations. --- ## The Queen's Breaking Point When Reika finally made her way to the council chamber, she felt as if her heart were in pieces. The elders rose as one when she entered the room, their faces reflecting concern and impatience. Your Majesty, quoth Elder Eldric, with words well-weighed, we have disquieting reports touching the status quo of Alpha: your kingdom is at unrest, and we must be sure what actions are taken in respect to our safety. Reika raised her hand, strain lacing her voice. "I understand your concerns, but neither the time nor the place. My mate, your Alpha, is lying upstairs, fighting for his life. I cannot leave him to attend to the council politics." Another elder frowned, a hard-looking woman named Thalia. "If it pleases Your Majesty, the kingdom cannot afford to wait. We need leadership now more than ever." Patience snapped, and Reika yelled, "What did you expect Thalia? Leave Ileus to his hour of need out there to stay here and debate? He will be my first concern; I'm afraid that if you don't understand perhaps you have forgotten what loyalty is supposed to mean.". The elders shifted uncomfortably; a flicker in their eyes spoke volumes on suspicion. Eldric approached him even closer now, his tone softening further. "We would not have thee forsake him, Reika. We're asking thee only to trust us to shoulder it with thee, that we may attend the security of the realm while thou canst stay with him.". And finally, the weight of her exhaustion managed to seep through, and Reika slumped. "Fine. Do what you must. But this let be said and known-I will not leave Ileus. For anything. Turning for the door, Daisy caught her arm. "Reika, are you certain of this?" Reika nodded, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I have no choice, Daisy. I won't lose him. Not a chance". Back in the infirmary, Reika knelt beside Ileus and let her tears fall upon his hand. "You're stronger than this," she whispered. "You have always been stronger. Please, Ileus. Come back to me. Come back to us." Outside those palace walls, the kingdom stirred fitfully, its future clouded. In that infirmary, however, lay bright hope-hope that would see Alpha Ileus rise again.