"Alpha I am perfectly fine," Korran said. "I am simply fulfilling my duty."
"Is this solely a duty to you or there are more to it Phoenix asked. "Just duty?"
The question landed in the open air between them. Every soldier present went still, eyes forward, suddenly very interested in being invisible.
Korran straightened and met his Alpha's gaze for a moment. Then he bowed his head.
"Alpha, I apologise if I have overstepped in any way. What I feel is nothing but duty. I am certain of that."
He turned to leave then allowed himself one brief glance back at Hazel.
Then he was gone.
"Take a pillow and rest on the other side," Kael said, gesturing across the coach.
"I am not tired, Kael," Korran said, settling into his seat. "And I cannot sleep." He looked out at the passing road. "I keep thinking about Hazel."
Kael watched him for a moment before speaking.
"Something has shifted in you recently," he said carefully. "You are beginning to challenge the Alpha. Not directly but it is there in your words, your actions and especially in how you carry yourself around the young lady." He paused. "People in the palace are already talking. They see what is happening between you and her even if you have not named it yourself."
Korran said nothing.
"I need you to hear me," Kael continued, his voice dropping into something more serious. "The fact that you grew up alongside the Alpha does not make you brothers. It does not mean he holds any special feeling for you beyond your usefulness." He leaned forward slightly. "He is a good ruler. He treats us well enough. But we are tools to him Korran. We serve a function. Even his own half brother, look at what happened there. He took the woman meant for him and now he is having a child with her." He shook his head. "We mean nothing beyond what we provide. Do not forget that."
"There is nothing between us," Korran said firmly. "I simply want to ensure she is safe. That is all it is."
Kael looked at him for a long moment.
"Phoenix has already made his position clear," he said quietly. "If you cross that line, even once, you will not like what follows. I am telling you this as someone who does not want to watch that happen to you."
Korran said nothing further.
He turned back to the window and watched the road.
The moment Phoenix settled beside her Hazel shifted immediately, moving as far to the other side as the space allowed.
Phoenix reached out and pulled her back by the hand, drawing her onto his lap in one smooth motion.
"Stay still and sleep," he said.
"Let go of me," Hazel said, pulling against his grip. "I want to be alone."
Phoenix said nothing. He simply held her in place, his arms a quiet cage around her, his breathing completely even.
She fought it. Twisting, pulling, pushing against him with everything she had left.
He did not move.
Eventually her body made the decision her stubbornness refused to. The exhaustion won and she stilled against him, her breathing slowing until sleep took her completely.
Phoenix looked down at her.
"Word has arrived that Phoenix will be attending the pregnancy gathering," Corrine said.
Roxanne went still.
"He cannot see me," she said. "Not like this. The moment he does he will know exactly who I am."
"You will almost certainly be positioned as the organiser of the gathering," Corrine said. "You need a convincing reason not to be present at the front of it."
" I feel like I am going crazy right now. Dying my hair will not be enough," Roxanne said, pressing her hand flat against the wall. "He will feel his own power inside me the moment he is close enough. It will not matter what I look like."
She pushed off the wall and turned.
"We need the Codex of Silence. Now. Before that gathering happens."
"I know," Corrine said quietly.
"Can you bring Cassius here?" Roxanne said. "I need to speak with both of you."
"I will reach out to him," Corrine answered.
"Can you perform a soul swap?" she asked Corrine.
Corrine raised an eyebrow. "A soul swap. That is not something I use lightly."
"I need you to move my soul into another body temporarily," Roxanne said. "After everything is done you switch me back. But my body cannot stay here. The palace is not an option for hiding it."
Corrine thought for a moment.
"The kitchen," she said. "I will find someone there with the lowest power signature. You use Soul Command on her. Once she is under I will handle the transfer." She paused. "It is possible.
"Nothing will go wrong," Roxanne said.
Cassius looked at her steadily but said nothing.
Chief Maid, you sent for me?" Liora said, stepping into the kitchen office.
"I did," Corrine said, gesturing for her to sit. "I received your resignation letter. I would like to understand your reasons before anything is decided."
Liora folded her hands in her lap. "My mother has fallen ill. My father is away at the Sheep Beastman lands farming rice and there is no one at home to care for her. I cannot remain here knowing she is alone."
"Has she been seen by a physician?" Corrine asked.
"No Chief Maid," Liora said quietly. "My mother is human and my father is only an Omega. Sending money to the human lands is not easy for us."
Corrine nodded slowly.
"You have given years of loyal service to this palace," she said. "The Royal Duchess has introduced a new policy. Selected staff will be granted a six month paid leave. Your wages will continue during that time and meals will be sent to your home regularly." She paused. "For your mother we will arrange a specialist, a human physician who will tend to her personally. If further medical care is needed the palace will cover it."
Liora stared at her.
Then she slipped from her chair and lowered herself to the floor.
"Thank you," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "Thank you so much."
"Your gratitude belongs to the Royal Duchess," Corrine said gently. "This policy is entirely her doing. Several others have already received the same and departed. You are not alone in this."