Varianth POV
I watched Athena being carried to the hospital wing. She was unconscious and I wanted to follow her but I still had one important business to handle. I had never felt rage like this. Not in war. Not in battle. Not even in betrayal.
But watching Athena fall—watching her body tumble down those stairs after being pushed—that was a fury I didn’t know I could carry.
And I carried it straight to Emily’s chamber.
I didn’t knock. I kicked the doors open.
Emily jumped where she stood near her dressing table, her silk robe flowing around her like fire. She turned, startled, her face morphing from confusion to something colder the moment she saw me.
“Varianth—what is this?” she asked quickly, her voice laced with false concern.
“You pushed her,” I growled.
She flinched, then laughed lightly. “Pushed who?”
“Athena. You shoved her down the stairs. Don’t pretend. I saw it.”
Emily’s face turned pale. “That wasn’t—You’re misunderstanding. She slipped, I was just behind her—”
“Don’t,” I snapped. “You knew exactly what you were doing.”
Her face twisted in panic and desperation. “She’s dangerous. She’s manipulating you. Ever since she arrived, you’ve been changing—turning against me, doubting me.”
“I was doubting you long before she got here,” I said coldly. “But now I know why.”
Emily’s hands trembled, but she steadied her voice. “I’m your mate, Varianth. I’m carrying your child.”
I stared at her. “No. You’re not.”
She blinked fast. “What?”
“I don’t feel it. Not the bond. Not the child. Nothing. Whatever spell you tried to cast over me—it’s broken.”
Her voice shook. “You’re making a mistake.”
“No. I made one trusting you,” I said, stepping forward. “You’re banished, Emily. As of tonight.”
She gasped. “You can’t banish me! I am your Luna!”
“I just did.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “What about the baby?”
I clenched my jaw. “If there even is one, it’s not mine.”
She slapped me. Hard. “You’ll regret this.”
I didn’t flinch. “Get out of my face.”
At that moment, the doors burst open again. Her father, her mother, and two palace elders stormed in, panic in their eyes.
“Your Majesty, this isn’t the way,” her father said. “Emily is of noble blood. We must—”
“She tried to kill a woman carrying a child,” I cut in. “I should have her executed.”
Gasps filled the room.
“She slipped!” Emily shrieked. “You’re taking her word over mine?”
“I’m taking my own eyes over your lies.” I turned to the elders. “She leaves the palace by midnight. If she stays, you’ll all answer for it.”
Without waiting for more protest, I turned and walked out and headed to the hospital wing. Healers moved swiftly, whispering to one another with urgency in their eyes.
A nurse rushed to meet me. “She’s alive,” she said softly, “but she’s not well. The baby… the fall brought on early labor.”
My chest tightened. “What?”
“She’s in labor, Your Majesty. And it is too early.”