Once Alera was seated on the edge of her father's bed, the healer and servants and advisers and guards took it upon themselves to see their way out so that she and the King could converse in private. Only her wolves remained, lingering by the door and keeping watch in their own way.

Already her father looked more like himself, with the color coming back to his cheeks and life sparkling again in his eyes.

"It seems there is much to explain," her father started, as Alera took his hand between hers.

"A lot has happened," she said softly, "and if I had any idea of what Nicholas was capable of, I never would have left."

The king brought his other hand over and covered hers as he slowly shook his head. "If I had known what Nicholas was capable of, I never would have agreed to arrange the marriage between you."

"I know why you did it," she breathed out. "I was a burden and you were doing what was best for the kingdom—"

"I was doing what was best for me," he admitted as he cut her off. "I took advantage of the first offer I received, without thinking about the ramifications and I am not proud of it."

"But why? Why were you so ready to let me go?"

"Because I thought it would be what you wanted. I knew how miserable you were, and how you were treated by even my own advisors." He shook his head. "I thought it would be a new beginning for you, a new start away from all of this."

"And away from everyone I loved."

He sighed and nodded. "Yes— I had heard that it was Jere and Palo who helped escort you away from the Kingdom." He looked up and around. "Where are they now?"

She smiled ever so slightly. "Jere helped reclaim the castle. He rallied the people and together they held back Nicholas' men while I faced the prince myself. Palo remained behind—"

"You went to the forest then."

She paused and looked out the window, as if she could see through to the forest village. "How come you never told me about my mother's people?"

The king turned to follow her gaze as if he could see what she saw— those buildings and the people and the bonfire through the trees. A small smile even played on his lips as she turned back to him. "I always felt if I talked about your mother, I would never do her memory justice. Vessa chose to come with me because she knew I couldn't remain with her people, but in doing so she lost that part of herself that thrived.

"I think that's why Palo remained this time. He never wanted to leave before— he never wanted to bring Nyla back but I insisted, and she was ever so loyal to Vessa. I feel like I damned both of them..." He looked back to her. "Just like I almost did to you."

She squeezed his hand and smiled ever so slightly, the best she could do to reassure him that she was there, and she was listening. Though it still didn't resolve their problems, the largest one currently residing within their dungeons.

"How is Hevea?" her father asked after a beat of silence between them.

"Injured but healing," she said honestly. "Nicholas attacked the village people— it's what lured me out. I owe it to them to return, to check on them, and to help them rebuild in any way they need."

"Spoken like a true ruler." He sounded proud.

"I suppose it's all I can do before I leave."

"And where are you going?"

"Aren't I to be arranged with someone else now, since Nicholas is no longer a viable option?"

"Oh, Alera." The king shook his head. "If there's anything that any of this has taught me, it's that you are in a position to choose your own path. Your future is yours, and you have paved it in your own way."

She tilted her head to the side in question. "I don't understand."

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently. "The kingdom is going to be yours one day, Alera. Whether you choose to rule it alone or with someone by your side, it will be your decision, and your decision alone."

"So you mean—"

The king nodded. "You are my sole heir, Alera, and I want you to be happy. So from this day forward, you will be free to marry whomever it is you want, or no one at all. The choice, my daughter, will forever now be yours."

She smiled so widely, tears came to her eyes. "Thank you, Father," she exclaimed as she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug, almost forgetting he was just coming out of a magic-induced slumber. But his arms wrapped around her in return, and Alera couldn't remember the last time she and her father shared such a hug.

She could have stayed there forever, at least until the wolves who had remained at the doorway started to growl in unison.

"He insisted," the posted guards from outside the door apologized as their attention was dragged to the intruder.

Xavier, her father's advisor, paramour of Brigette and the greatest traitor to the kingdom stood within the doorway of the bedroom. Even Alera bared her teeth in time with the wolves as she stood, standing protectively between her father and the bastard.

"Your majesty," Xavier said once he knew he had the king's attention. The wolves, however, would not let him step into the room one foot closer.

"What is this?" The king demanded of his daughter though she didn't take her attention off of the man who would have happily sold her to the highest bidder.

"Father, while you were distracted with other matters of the kingdom, it was Xavier and Brigette who single-handedly allowed the Prince to infiltrate Palazia so easily, more than ready to side with him while our people suffered for their personal greed and gain."

The sound of her father sputtering for words had her looking back to him to make sure he was well, but he was sitting up straighter in the bed, and suddenly seemed more the part of the king than an unwilling invalid.

"Explain yourself, Xavier," the king demanded, his tone leaving no room for misinterpretation.

"The Kingdom was in dire straights, your highness, especially with the princess running away from her responsibilities, and you beside yourself without her," Xavier started, but Alera cut him off, taking a step towards him.

"I heard you," she hissed. "You and Brigette were going to sell us out to Nicholas to be in his favor. You did sell us out, or would have if I didn't leave."

"You see, your majesty? She admits her failure—

"My only failure was not stopping you and Brigette when I had the chance after I caught you in my room! Instead I had to listen to—" She shuddered at the thought, and actually saw Xavier turn red at the memory. No, he truly didn't know she was there either.

"Your Highness, I don't see what this has to do with anything," Xavier her cut off, clearly flustered now. Alera just glared at him. "What matters is that you're healthy, and we can move forward with what's best for you and the Kingdom. I am certain Abignor will expect a fair trial for their prince, and I will be happy to begin the arrangements—"

"You will do no such thing." Alera was angry now, and cleared to room towards the traitor, allowing the wolves to maintain their protective wall between her and him. And for his benefit too, because she was ready to strangle him with her vines. Her hands even curled at her sides, ready to strike, by magic or otherwise.

"Alera is correct, Xavier," the king added from where he sat on the bed, though he was moving to the edge, trying to stand now that she wasn't there to keep him in place. She wouldn't admonish him for it, not in front of his advisor. Or former advisor, if Alera had anything to say about it.

"Your majesty, surely there is no one who would be better suited to handle such delicate negotiations—"

"Jere will do it," Alera asserted.

"The stableboy?" Xavier scoffed. She could almost hear the contempt in his voice which made her anger roil.

"And what about Brigette?" She hissed.

Xavier peered at the Princess. "What about her?"

Alera bared her teeth like the wolves at her legs. "Was it because you realized you didn't need her anymore?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Xavier scoffed.

But Alera pressed on. "I heard you in my room. I saw you in the forest."

"We were merely assisting Prince Nicholas in retrieving his bride," he sneered.

That was more than enough for Alera. She passed through her wolves to stand toe-to-toe with the disgusting specimen before you. "Did you even attempt to take her down?" Alera hissed. "Or did you stand there and watch as he strung her up, like the selfish coward that you are?"

"How dare you—"

"That's enough!"

The two turned towards the bed to see the King standing on his own and the look on his face reflected everything Alera was already feeling inside, bursting to let out.

"Xavier, I am beginning to think that there will need to be a trial for your actions as well."

The advisor was going to interrupt his king, but the Alpha snapped at his leg, stopping him before he could say anything more.

The king continued, nonplussed. "In the meantime, you'll be restricted to your rooms, under strict surveillance, leaving only when allowed and under the protection of my personal guards."

"You can't be serious!" All sense of formality had left Xavier.

"Would you prefer the dungeons with your prince?"

"What you accuse me of has no merit! There is no evidence to set forth, and you certainly can't believe the word of a canny bitch—"

The words were out of Xavier's mouth and could not have been retracted. The growling of the wolves confirmed what they all had heard. Alera never thought she saw her father angry until that moment.

"You are dismissed from your service to Palazia, Xavier, and will remain in your room until you are summoned."

"You can't do this—"

"Guards, please escort Xavier to his quarters and out of my site."

"Hope dare you—"

The guards, loyal to their king, entered and grabbed Xavier by either arm. The advisor resisted and they had to all but drag him from them room. Looking down at her wolves, Alera nodded. Their service would be best put to use making sure he remained where he needed to be, and that she would be safe. The Alpha nuzzled her hand as they followed the guards carrying a screaming Xavier insisting he knew people who would see to his release.

The king sighed, and Alera watched as he returned to the edge of the bed. Moving back to him, she took his hand and knelt next to him.

"I'm fine," he assured her. "I just need some rest, and rightfully so. And you... you have a stableboy to find."

She tilted his head in question, afraid to assume anything with her father regardless of what had transpired.

"Tomorrow will be a busy day for all of us, especially when you're to announce you'll be marrying your new captain of the guard."

A smile broader than any Alera had ever felt spread across her face, and she wrapped her arms around her father's neck in the tightest of hugs. His arms returned the sentiment, as if to assure her this was real, he was there, and everything from here on out was going to be better than it was.

She pulled back, smiling as her eyes threatened to brim with tears. He cupped her cheek with his hand, how own gaze glistening.

"Go," he assured her. "He's waiting for you."

With her cloak wrapped tight around her shoulders, Alera didn't think she could have run fast enough.