The next morning's gathering with the nobles should've been routine, it certainly started that way at least.
The same old reports, recaps of supply lists, and one tiresome dispute about grazing rights that had carried on longer than some bloodlines and really was completely irrelevant under the threat of Ely and the Lycan King.
Ann dismissed the last envoy with a clipped nod and sat back in her chair, already thinking ahead to the files waiting in the archives that she wanted to go over.
Then Bartholomew cleared his throat. It wasn't loud or sharp, but it was enough to pull her attention. He was leaning on his cane near the wall, stood half in the shadows. He rarely addressed her during open court now, and if he did, it was never without reason.
Ann's shoulders stiffened.
"Did you want something?"
The elder inclined his head.
"Ah, yes, a word. Privately, if you don't mind."
Adam's eyes narrowed, but Ann gestured for Coral to clear the hall. The courtiers filed out with wary glances and whispers trailing after them. Adam didn't move from his post at her shoulder and his stony silence was a warning in itself.
They walked the corridor together, heading towards Adam's office this time. Taking Bartholomew to Ann's office felt a little too personal, and she was still angry with him for lying. Using Adam's office sent a subtle hint that their relationship goalposts had changed.
Bartholomew's pace had slowed since the apprentices took over the heaviest work, but his eyes were still sharp.
Ann took a seat behind Adam's desk as Adam stood stoically at her side. Gesturing for him to sit.
"Well, private audience granted I suppose," Ann said flatly, "What can we help you with?"
"It's not me that needs help, My Queen. There are whispers," he said finally, his voice quiet as if he were afraid of being overheard. "Among the nobles particularly. Letters are being sent to outposts that don't exist and money that's been marked for relief caravans that vanish before they even leave the warehouses. There's been too many quiet meetings with too many closed doors."
Ann folded her arms.
"Whatever you're trying to say, spit it out. Are you saying they're backing the King?"
Bartholomew hesitated, then gave a curt nod.
"Yes. I believe so. Some are funneling support directly to him. Money for sure, but perhaps more. I don't have the signatures for confirmations yet, but I know the way that their games work so it shouldn't be too long until I have what I need."
Adam's growl ripped from his chest immediately.
"Names."
Bartholomew shook his head.
"I can't, not yet. Not on rumor alone. If you move against them without concrete proof, they'll paint themselves as the victims of a witchhunt fuelled by your paranoia. They've done it before and they'll do it again."
Adam stepped forward, his wolf flashing furiously in his eyes.
"Every day that you let them breathe, they feed more support to our enemies. How many of our people are going to burn while you wait for tidy records?"
Ann silenced Adam with a glare.
"Enough. Bartholomew is right Adam, we don't move until we've got proof of their betrayal. Letters, signatures, routes, and witnesses with their names tied so tightly to the evidence that they can't wriggle out of it once they stand accused. If we move too early, they'll just scatter like the rats they are and hide things better. It's much smarter to let them think that I'm completely unaware of what they're up to while we tighten the noose around their necks."
"And what if they bring Ely to our gates before you've finished your wards with the neat little evidence gathering?" Adam snapped.
"Then we'll fight him here," Ann answered steadily. "But at least we'll know who opened the door for him."
Maeve stirred, a pleased growl in the back of her mind.
"Ah the subtle art of ignoring your mates advice and expecting him not to implode. You know that he would rather just end them cleanly and not have to worry about another thing from inside the palace trying to kill his mates and unborn pups."
Ann ignored her wolf and turned back to Bartholomew.
"Bring me more evidence of what you claim. Letters. Accounts. Coin trails. Not just whispers so that we can take care of this decisively please."
"You'll have them as soon as I do." Bartholomew said as he inclined his head and stood, "That's all I wanted to talk to you about, my Queen. If you don't min, I'll take my leave now and head back to my chambers."
Ann nodded and they watched him leave, his cane tapping faintly against the floors. As soon as the door closed, Adam spoke.
"Ann, I know you think that patience wins wars, but it doesn't. The nobles are playing a dangerous game and I don't want you at the centre of it."
"Well, it's a bit late for that I'm afraid Adam," Ann sighed and for a moment she thought he would argue more, but he didn't. His lips clamped shut and he looked at her with an expression that she couldn't fully decipher.
Ann and Adam had separated off to see to their own duties throughout the rest of the day and by evening, Ann was ready to leave the walls of the palace far behind her.
"Maybe we should try and take a walk?" Maeve suggested, "Minus the assassins and creepy ex of course."
Ann sighed and looked across at Adam.
"Maeve wants to go for a walk." she said as Adams eyes snapped to her.
"Not without…" he started as he stood abruptly, but Ann cut him off.
"Yes I know," Ann said smiling softly as she interrupted him, "Why do you think I'm telling you? Do you fancy escorting your wife on a walk in the grounds for a little while? I've been cooped up for what feels like forever and I think the air would be nice. Besides…it's not often I get to spend some time with my husband."
Adam's face softened instantly, his wolf's paranoia eased immediately and for the first time in days, a light smile broke out on Adam's face.
They walked slowly together, hand in hand and talking quietly around the garden first, with Ann just enjoying the relative quiet and Adam's relaxed presence.
But by the time they made their way through the courtyard and out into the grounds at the front of the palace, the atmosphere seemed to have shifted.
The guards at the gates had straightened, and then suddenly, Adam was on high alert as the sound of hooves broke across the yard.
A scout appeared in the entryway as the guards hurried to open the gates and when the horse pulled to a stop, the rider slid from his horse and landed on the ground with a heavy thud