Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch-Chapter 226: The Ravemont Bloodline

• DREVON •

"Is it true?" Ravyn asked in disbelief. "Is it?!"

"Not entirely sure," I said, dropping the black card on my table. "But every piece of evidence confirms it. We just need to hear from the source."

Ravyn still had shock plastered on her; it was just like I had been for the last few hours. I’m still unable to collect myself after making such a disturbing discovery.

All this time, the source of Eloise’s ailment had been the traces of magic in her blood.

"Can we trust this Corvin to tell us the truth? I mean, why didn’t he just say it in the first place?"

"I don’t trust him. But he’s the only warlock we can ask; the rest of them want a sacrifice. At least Corvin doesn’t share those same ideas."

"I don’t believe this," Ravyn clenched her teeth. "The warlocks think they can just come here and take our Luna. It’s frustrating."

"Corvin the Black."

The moment I said the words out loud, the word vanished from the card, and like a dark whirlpool, Corvin emerged.

"You called and I answered, Monarch of Lycans."

"Is this the warlock?" Ravyn said, fascinated. "I wouldn’t have believed that one made an appearance until I saw one myself."

Corvin raised his hat in a gesture. "I’m honored by your fascination; the same goes for you, Lycans, too. It’s been a while since I met your kind, venturing thousands of miles to come here was certainly worth it."

I didn’t miss the undertone he used. Was there something else keeping him? I still wondered why he gave me this card when he claimed he delivered his warnings, and therefore, his purpose here was done.

"I heard everything. Your intent is yet to be discerned," Ravyn said.

He sneered. "What is it with everyone and my intent? I have clearly stated my reasons. Though I don’t blame your suspicion. The history of warlocks has impacted this realm in a way that every action is questioned."

"I do appreciate what you did for our Luna. But... I see you as an enemy until I think otherwise."

"Interesting... May I know the name of my observer?"

"Ravyn Stormrend."

"You know why I called for you?" I said, grabbing his attention.

"Depends..." he mumbled.

"Eloise has magic blood."

"Yes, she does. Why else would the Order concern itself? She is blood."

"Didn’t you think you could have mentioned that earlier?"

"I thought you were aware."

"Eloise is a hybrid, part snowblood, part human, that is all I knew until now."

"That’s quite unfortunate, Monarch of Lycans."

"Richard Ravemont, who was he really?"

"He was the Archduke of Beloria."

"You know what I ask..." I gritted my teeth. "Don’t play games with me."

Corvin sighed heavily before he replied. "I do not know how long the magic blood spans in the Ravemonts, but it appears that the founder of Beloria was a warlock who became a Forsaken. He was known as Roderic the Green."

"Roderic the Green?" Ravyn stated. "Does this mean the entire Ravemont line has magic blood? Goddess!"

"That is precise, but a magic blood without cultivation is just blood."

"But Eloise’s blood never cultivated."

"Hmm... though I cannot be entirely sure, but I do believe the magic did collide with the ice in her blood, maybe they fought for dominance, and when the ice won, the magic decided to infest to survive."

His explanation was bizarre and based solely on what he could deduce at the moment, but it was oddly similar to Celia’s words.

"I cannot determine entirely what made the magic in her blood become more of a disease, but I have a reason to believe the ice that runs through her veins may have caused it."

The magic in her blood became a disease and ate at her cells, creating her lingering ailment.

"This puts not just her but the baby at risk," I explained. "Her lingering ailment is coming or could be worse."

"That is..." Corvin trailed as if short of words. "Heartbreaking."

"I have a Royal Healer who is working on a cure, but this discovery changes everything. She cannot work a cure, not when there is magic in her blood; she cannot control it."

"Are you asking for my assistance?"

"Yes," I said honestly, for there was no need to beat around the bush. If Celia were to find a cure, she would need someone who knew magic. This was all for Eloise’s sake and the baby’s.

"In that case..." He struck his cane on the floor. "I need something in return if I’m going to help."

"Alpha..." Ravyn said in a warning tone. "Clearly, he has been waiting for this opportunity."

"Why yes," he replied bluntly. "I do need something to gain from this."

"As expected, it’s always business for warlocks; it seems like that hasn’t changed in the last century," Ravyn spurned.

"Why should it? It’s our nature."

"Now I ask, and I want a straightforward answer. What do you want, Corvin Graves?"

He faced me. "I want to cultivate the blood in the Endless. When the baby’s born, the magic in its blood won’t be dominant. The baby has four natures, and each will hold strong. The magic must be cultivated."

"And what do you get out of nurturing my child?"

"The endless possibilities. There can be so many, and I’m curious to see which will take root. It’s like watching a tree grow, even though you know which tree and the fruit it’d bear, it’s still unknown if it’d grow strong or wither so fast."

I don’t want to trust him. But I’m at a position where I have no other choice. Corvin was the only warlock against the Order’s desires.

"I’d like to discuss this with my wife first."

"Please do, she is the Mother of the Endless, and I’ll patiently await her decision."

"Zevrin the White paid me a visit."

"Did he?"

"It was a dream..."

"He’s already making his move. He’ll only come back in more force. He thrives on using dreams, and that is how he intends to get what he wants."

"Dreams..." I murmured.

It was far too real to be called a dream. It must’ve been the same for Eloise. Just thinking about it made my blood boil.

"You should beware, Monarch of Lycans, the more you dream about Zevrin, the stronger he becomes. My protection spell is only enough for one."

~•~

I was back in my bedchamber. When I reached for the doorknob, I heard a noise.

Panic filled me as I rushed into the room. "Eloise?"

Eloise was dressed in only my shirt, mouth puffed. She was frozen in place, her hand clutched some ice cubes used to keep the wine cold.

Is she chewing ice?

Eloise gulped down. "It tastes really nice."

I scoffed, closing the distance between us and pulling her into a tight hug. I sighed in relief, feeling light just by having her in my arms.

"I’ve been so worried." I kissed the top of her head before pulling apart so that I could set my eyes on her properly. Even when she’d just woken up, she was divine.

A soft smile curled on her lips, and I returned it, taking my time to imprint this image of her in my head.

"How long have I been sleeping?" she asked. "Did I keep you waiting for too long?"

"Only a day, my love, and it was worth the wait. How are you feeling?"

"I had the best sleep, I don’t think I have had that for a while."

"You have Corvin to thank for that."

"Corvin?"

"Enough talk, you need to eat." I picked her up and sat her on the table.

"I’m eating," she said, attempting to take more ice, but I pushed the gold bowl aside.

"That is not food, my love." I fixed her plate, selecting only what she ate most the last time.

I got distracted when she took my hand and placed it on her stomach. I moved my gaze to her, and she pinned me with soft eyes.

"I can feel it now. When I woke up, I felt something; it was brief, but I could finally tell. It’s so..."

"Warm and bright," I finished for her.

Eloise looked at me with a light in her eyes, but it quickly dimmed. "There’s something I need to—"

"I met Corvin already."

She blinked before realization became her gaze, as if she had recalled what had happened before she was put to sleep.

"I know everything."

Eloise clutched my hand tightly.

"You’re scared, I can feel it."

"I’m terrified, and—"

"Shhh... Don’t think about anything else right now. I need you to eat."

"I—"

"For the baby."

Her breath shuddered before she grabbed the plate and took little bites. I monitored until she finished. I knew she didn’t have the appetite, but forced herself to eat.

I used my thumb to wipe the corner of her lips, and she peered at me through her eyelashes.

"Everything’s going to be okay, I promise."