Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Good Riddance

Ruby paced the length of her bedroom, her heart pounding so hard she felt like she was having a heart attack. She had been the one to plant the seed in Lara’s mind. She had whispered in the girl’s ear, using the young woman’s deep hatred for werewolves as leverage to get her to play her bidding. She had played it perfectly, manipulating the situation and positioning herself so that even if Derek found out about the plot, she would be completely exonerated.

But now, the walls were closing in. She didn’t know what had happened in the last few hours. She didn’t know if Lara had cracked under the pressure of the dungeon, if the girl had mentioned her name, or spoken about their secret conversations out of fear of the King. This hadn’t gone according to plan at all. Ruby was lost, and she hated the feeling of being out of control. She had barely slept a wink last night, staying on high alert for any summons from Derek.

She walked over to the window and looked out across the estate grounds. The rising sun bathed everything in soft golden light, the way she had always admired. Many times she had stood here, gazing at the beautiful lawns and grand buildings, telling herself that one day all of it would be hers. But today, the view brought her no comfort. Today, she felt damned.

She forced herself to open her mind-link again, desperate to know if Derek was trying to reach her, but nothing happened. The link remained empty and silent. She needed to find out what was happening. She couldn’t just sit here and leave everything to fate.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Ruby spun around too quickly; she nearly tripped. She could hear the blood roaring in her ears.

"Who is it?" she asked, her voice pitching high.

"It is me, Miss Ruby," a servant’s voice called through the door.

Ruby’s stomach dropped. This was it. The King had surely sent someone to fetch her.

"Co-come in," she stuttered, collapsing into a nearby armchair as she tried to compose her features.

The door creaked open slowly, and two of her maids entered. One carried a breakfast tray, while the other held a crystal jug of water. They both bowed to Ruby.

"Good morning, Miss Ruby," they greeted in unison.

Ruby was so not in the mood to reply to their greetings.

"Miss Ruby," the first maid said, dipping into another low curtsy. "Here is your breakfast. His Grace instructed that you eat and take your medicine for the fever. He said that if your temperature does not break soon, Dr Adah will be sent to examine you."

Ruby’s racing heart slowed just a fraction. Okay. This didn’t sound like bad news. If Lara had said anything damning, Derek wouldn’t be sending maids with breakfast and medical concerns. He would have sent guards with silver shackles.

"Set it on the table," Ruby said, biting her thumbnail as she watched them scrambling to set the table. She waited a beat, then forced a casual tone. "I heard the culprit who poisoned the Queen has been found."

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