Dear Bardulf, King of Zurus,
My daughter, Jaqueline is missing. She disappeared about two days ago. All that's left of her presence is her messy bed with bloody sheets. It wasn't much, but I still worry.
I am lost as to what to do. I request your assistance in finding her. Prince Roderick is keeping an eye out, but I need all the help I can get. Please come?
Sincerely,
King of Asaya
Bardulf scanned the short letter over again twice more. If it were up to him, he'd go right now. The only problem was that Philippa had just got released from Dezra and was still weak. According to the old woman, the antidote had swept the poison away and healed her ribs in just days. Philippa confirmed it when stood up one day and didn't start once. It made her smile brighter than Bardulf had seen in a long time. She stumbled into his arms and if she had vocal cords, he thought she might've had squealed with joy.
Now, however, he didn't want to take any chances. He wanted to stay beside her until he knew for sure she was safe, until she didn't tire within minutes.
Bardulf felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see his mate smile up at him, beautiful in a navy dress, her hair down her back in long black locks. She tilted her head in question.
He kissed her cheek and gave her a smile of his own. "I'm just catching up on paperwork. I'm behind and that's not good."
Philippa looked amused and glanced behind him at the desk covered in stacks of papers. Her eyes widened slightly, but other than that, she didn't seem surprised. Without giving him another look, she went over and started shuffling through it all.
Bardulf was about to protest but stood still and watched her. Her hands moved in a whirlwind of activity, putting one paper here, another there. He didn't want her doing anything that consisted of work, but she was smiling as if she enjoyed being doing something.
She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and read a document before putting it in a pile and grabbing another one. Bardulf walked up to the desk and put his hand on hers, stopping her. She looked up at him and used her eyes to ask what he wanted. He pulled her around and cupped her face. "There's no need for you to do that, my sweet. My queen is free to do as she wishes, she's not required to work."
Philippa shrugged and started to return to the desk, but Bardulf stopped her.
"You don't need to do my work."
Her brows scrunched in confusion as she used her hands to ask why when he had the help.
"For one thing, you're still weak. I don't want you to tire yourself. Secondly, I appreciate your help, but I don't need it. It's my job to do all the paperwork and cherish you in the best way I can."
She made an unladylike snort and crossed her arms, glaring at him.
Bardulf couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't be mad. How do you think I've gotten this far? I've been ruling this kingdom for years."
Philippa expressed her desperation to do something and help him in some way she knew how. She didn't want to sit around and do nothing. She was used to work, used to being up on her feet. It felt good to her if she was doing something constructive.
Bardulf sighed. "Philippa, I know you're used to the experience, but I can't help if I want to spoil you. I can't help if I want to protect you from hard labor."
She quirked a brow at him.
He gave in finally. "Fine, but only for an hour. Afterwards, you rest."
She smiled wide and jumped up and down a few times before wrapping her arms around his neck. Bardulf embraced her back, glad to see her smile again. When she pulled away, she went straight back to what she was doing at the desk, ignoring his presence.
Bardulf walked out of the room quietly, leaving the door cracked a little. He went down the hall to Flik's office and knocked, entering at the answering voice within.
Flik was at his desk, writing something down, looking as busy as Bardulf had before his mate took over. It took the Beta a few minutes to give his attention to the king, but when he did, he gave a weary smile. "Apologies."
Bardulf shook his head in dismissal and sat down in front of the desk, slouching like a commoner. "Anything on the man who was ripped apart?"
"No, but Dezra is working on it. She said it will take time." Flik stared at his king for a moment, confused. "What happened to catching up on work?"
Bardulf rolled his eyes. "Philippa decided to do some. I left her to it and came here."
"You left her alone?" Flik asked, surprised.
The king glared. "For now, yes. Unless you know about an intruder that I don't?"
"No and speaking of which..." Flik grabbed a file and opened it, flicking through pages before finding the right one. He handed it over to Bardulf and said, "A white wolf was seen outside castle gates."
Bardulf studied the picture and saw a white blur on top of the white background. He could only distinguish its shape thanks to the shadow. "Where was it heading?"
"That, is something I do not know."
Bardulf nodded and handed the picture back. "Have the others keep an eye out for it. I am getting a bad feeling."
Flik nodded as someone knocked on the door. Flik let them in and Bardulf turned to see Seth with Philippa behind him. Seth looked a little awkward and uncomfortable, but he bowed and said, "Luna is trying to say something, but I do not understand."
Bardulf stood and strode over, pulling his mate close. She didn't look hurt, sad, or anxious. The king relaxed a little and let out the breath he was holding. "What is it?"
Philippa blinked up at him and her eyes sparkled with happiness. With a few hand movements, she told him she was going to lie down for a bit. She got his papers sorted and was trying to tell Seth where she was going, but he didn't understand.
Bardulf glanced at his man still standing in the doorway and grinned. "Better catch up on your quick wit."
Seth blushed and bowed his head. Philippa made gasping noises that was her way of laughing then looked over at Flik. She waved eagerly and he waved back. The Beta looked to his king. "I should get back to work."
Bardulf nodded and put a hand on Philippa's lower back, leading her towards Seth who stepped aside to let them out. Once they were out and the door shut, Philippa leaned against Bardulf heavily, her eyes fluttering shut. "Can you make it up, or should I carry you?"
Philippa managed a smile and pushed away, making Bardulf chuckle. She walked towards the stairs and disappeared behind a corner. Seth cleared his throat and Bardulf turned to him. "I was on my way to see you when the Luna intercepted my path. There is a guest in the throne room I believe you should see."
"Who?"
"They do not give their name," Seth reported, and his eyes narrowed. "But as a warning, I do not trust them. They are hiding and acting suspicious."
"Understood," Bardulf confirmed and made his way to the throne room.
Philippa was just opening the door to the bed chamber when she felt a draft as cold as ice go through her body. It made her freeze, made her heart speed to the point it ached in her chest. Her instincts were telling her to stay out of the chamber, to go find Bardulf or his men. She'd scream if she could. But she couldn't.
Softly, slowly, she backed away. When her foot came to the first step down, she held the wall for support and carefully stepped. It took her much longer than usual to make her way down, keeping her eyes above her. When she felt her feet on the level Bardulf's office was on, she turned and ran.
Flik was finishing up a letter when he heard his door slam open. He glanced up, ready to tell the person to leave him, until he saw his Luna. He stood, taking in her frightened expression and her shaking body. She came around the desk and got behind him, holding his shirt. He tried to turn around ask what was going on, but then a chill passed through him and he went alert.
"Luna," he whispered to the frightened woman that held onto him. "Behind me is a wall. Push against it and hide within. Don't come out."
He instantly felt her grip on him disappear and heard her gasping and panting. There was a click, and he knew she was inside the wall. He grabbed his chair and sat down, looking as if he didn't just have someone barge into his room, and began to work again.
It was a minute before the chill came back, and with it, a knock on the door. He looked up and furrowed his brows. "Seth?"