The war Kahlem has waged against Arya and her allies is escalating. Fearing for his father’s safety, Malich sends him to the Seelie Court where Arya guarantees his father’s protection. In exchange for his father’s protection he would give her as much Intel as possible about Kahlem’s movements. 8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6AHeo6jek 維尼
After Sen’s death, Kahlem hasn’t been the same. He relies heavily on Dezi, his previous favorite wife for comfort while he slowly begins to unravel. 8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡHalwlADND2 維尼
Bevi and Arokin have distanced themselves from the ailing King, but they still do his bidding. His other brothers are in hiding. They will more than likely remain out of sight until Kahlem either succeeds in murdering Arya or she murders him. 8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Vkw2qk5IE 維尼
In the meantime, Kahlem is careful to keep Malich where he can see him. He’s fearful Malich will plot behind his back and hand him over on a silver platter, if given the opportunity.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTdvY9G0dv 維尼
When Queen Boleyn ruled in Arya’s favor, Kahlem went into a rage, killing several of his own soldiers for sport. If he could take it out on Malich, he would, but he needs him to wield the Red legion like the finely tuned weapon they are. Still, there are other ways of getting to Malich and his brother knows it. The way Kahlem looks at Lizbet and her growing womb unsettles him.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb2iPzWmDQ 維尼
“Goof morning brother,” Kahlem smiles, in a suspiciously happy mood. 8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYz28Aypqg 維尼
Malich nods, unsure of what to make of Kahlem’s suddenly cheery disposition. “Good morning.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp35T0z7zP 維尼
“You seem well.” Lizbet adds.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77pUCvvG3V 維尼
Kahlem’s smile widens. “Why wouldn’t I be?”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb7CX6HTYY 維尼
Malich narrows his eyes at his brother. “We’re heading into a war that will kill thousands of men.Mymen…men who have family that love and depend on them.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡugOhZsCzbl 維尼
“Well you’re a just ruler,” Kahlem waves him off, “I’m sure you’ll find some way to appease them.” Malich’s jaw clenches, but he can do nothing. Kahlem holds all the cards. All he can do is wait to for Arya to send word that she has his mother. “I didn’t see father when I went by the Winter Court last moon. Have you stashed him somewhere?” 8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gcU6zb9Vf 維尼
Kahlem’s line of questioning intrigues him. The only reason he’d care is if Arya has indeed been successful at seeing his mother to freedom. A smile tugs at the corners of Malich lips. 8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx5buk34qU 維尼
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7Zs6Q0LaU 維尼
“Mother would like to see him.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JXEVZqtQV 維尼
Yet another carefully worded statement…8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡciAXsVZhtU 維尼
In other words, he doesn’t know who has her and he’s testing to see if Malich does. “Would she now? Well, tell me where you’re keeping her and I’ll bring father to her.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaCDaB11sD 維尼
“Why don’t you bring father to me and I’ll see to it that he and our mother are reunited?” Kahlem counters.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fwen08Rml 維尼
“I would, but something tells me you don’t have her,” Malich shows his hand, “After what you did to father, you know I’ll never let you near him ever again. And since you don’t have my mother, I no longer need to do your bidding.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0Sj4UHvLv 維尼
Kahlem’s eyes drops to the table, his lips curling into a wicked grin. “You’ve always been quick-witted. Too bad you aren’t as quick at protecting those you hold dear.” He nods to one of his men. Moments later two of Kahlem’s guards drag Lizbet into the council room.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjo07OkR6V 維尼
Malich tips his head back and roars with laughter. “If this is your plan, I must say brother, I expected more from someone as cunning as yourself.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwUMjCFnmw 維尼
Lizbet meets Malich’s gaze with pleading eyes. “She carries your heir,” Kahlem points out. Malich nods. This anyonecould see.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUN1BMtspy 維尼
“I can have more.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ58kGVmRB 維尼
“True, but I doubt anyone in the Winter Court will willingly serve a King who would allow his Queen and heir to be slaughtered like animals. They will turn on you in a heartbeat and the Queens own aunts will orchestrate the hunt for your head or abdication,” Kahlem places his hand to Lizbet’s womb.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt4gqBUiEr 維尼
This is true. If Lizbet dies, the Winter Court will turn against him, especially with how he’s openly treated her in the past. “What do you want?” Malich asks.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEnUAdGBxp 維尼
“I want you to do what you do best and persuade the Autumn Queen to our cause. Bed her if you have to, I don’t care how you do it, just do it. The lives of your wife and heir depend on it.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pRZlBtrwe 維尼
Malich’s gaze slides to Lizbet’s who looks utterly horrified. “I’ll be back for you,” he assures her. She swallows hard and nods.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56vsO1ruju 維尼
“Speaking of coming back for her. No more rescue attempts. If I even sense an uprising or rescue attempt, she’ll die before they can even breach the fortress.” Kahlem warns.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XhL7OyePr 維尼
Malich nods, holding Lizbet’s gaze. It’s a silent promise that he willcome back for her. Lizbet nods in acknowledgement and he leaves for the Autumn Court to persuade the young Queen to change her mind. It’s a long shot, but if he wishes to rule the Winter Court without opposition, he must try.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6mYwDJurb 維尼
Malich gathers a small protective detail consisting of Zahn as his lieutenant and twelve Red Dragons. They quickly set out for the Autumn Court with a planned detour in mind. He needs to go to the Seelie Court to confirm his mother is indeed safe and reunited with his father.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfE7P9EqV6 維尼
Thankfully, it’s Malich’s own soldiers who are stationed just outside the border of the Seelie Court. As he crosses into Seelie territory his soldiers are sworn to secrecy and he makes his way to the palace. 8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYvH5gHdSJ 維尼
Evander greets him just outside the palace gates. An armed guard escorts them inside the palace walls and up to the front steps. For Arya’s protection, Malich’s soldiers are forced into a single room bolted shut from the outside and only Zahn is allowed to accompany him inside the palace. He wonders if this is at Arya’s instruction or Evander’s.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfTbWqO2CV 維尼
He gets his answer when Arya enters her sitting room, her brow pursing together in confusion. She levels Evander with a look and he does all he can to avoid her steel gaze. Ihsan enters behind her, his irritation with Malich’s presence visibly noticeable.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡJewdeESPI0 維尼
“Should you be here?” Ihsan asks.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡdATAJrpfL7 維尼
The corner of his lips curling up into a smile, Malich shakes his head and says, “Probably not, but I wanted to make sure you were able to secure my mother unharmed.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9c4eFvoHt 維尼
“You don’t trust us?” Arya asks, studying Malich carefully. It’s a loaded question.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8UXXqr0oG 維尼
“Of course I do, but I want to see her for myself. It’s been a long time my love.”8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡYesW8NmqbD 維尼
Arya ignores Malich’s term of endearment and nods to Evander who leaves the room. Her gaze trails back to Ihsan who looks as if he wants to rip Malich’s head off, before flicking her eyes back to Malich to gauge his reaction. “Kinghood does you well,” Malich offers up a compliment to Ihsan.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWT4alF1MC 維尼
Ihsan doesn’t even try to play nice. He ignores Malich, focusing his attention on Arya who is now trying her hardest to ignore them both.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡASIyiu693v 維尼
Evander returns with Malich’s mother and father in tow, and not a moment too soon. Seeing his mother alive and unharmed, a weight is lifted off of Malich’s shoulders. He embraces his mother, squeezing her tight. She smells the same as he remembers, of Rosemary. Tears fall from her eyes as she kisses his cheeks, hugging him back.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3HcFtM2aW 維尼
Malich looks beyond them to Arya and nods to her in a show of gratitude. She gives a slight nod back before turning her gaze to Ihsan. The closeness between the two provokes his jealousy once more. Now that he has both his parents back he can’t help but pine for the assassin turned Queen. She’s sacrificed so much for the sake of his happiness and he will forever be indebted to her. He wants more than anything for the two of them to be together, but they can’t be. Not now. She promised Ihsan her hand in exchange for his help and he’s trapped in a marriage he can’t get out of.8964 copyright protection186ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeQenDuMYG 維尼
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