Chapter 24: The Pack That Knelt

Lina Ash changed the vote. Not because the nobles grew hearts in the space of one breath. Nora had lost enough innocence to know better. Lina changed the vote because she made the cost visible. It was easy to discuss debt bonds when the bound girls stayed in kitchens, farms, and winter rooms without windows. It was harder when one knelt on polished stone and asked whether freedom had sisters. Darius did not touch Lina. He did not tell her to rise. He looked at Nora. Her choice. Nora crossed the chamber and knelt in front of the girl. "How many sisters?" she asked. "Two by blood. Twelve by contract." Someone behind Nora muttered, "This is not relevant to command." Nora turned. "It is relevant to mine." The muttering stopped. She stood with Lina's hand in hers. "If the crown-moon mark can identify unlawful bonds, then every contract tied to Blackridge sanctuary funds must be reviewed. Not someday. Now." A noblewoman in white fur laughed softly. "You are not queen here." "No," Nora said. "I am the woman whose child your petition wants removed because that child makes your paperwork afraid." Darius's mouth almost curved. One of the smaller pack Alphas rose. Then another. Then a third. They were not wealthy houses. Their wolves wore plain ceremonial coats and old boots polished for court. The first bowed to Nora. "My pack has three families under Blackridge debt transfer. We support review." The second said, "Mine has seven." The third, a woman with a scar across her eyebrow, said, "If Frosthold opens a debt court, Graymere will send witnesses." One by one, small packs stood. Not all. Enough. The confidence vote died without being called. Darius retained command. But victory lasted less than an hour. Maeve disappeared from the infirmary before moonrise. This time there was no broken glass, no blood on the floor, no signs of struggle. Only a single ribbon left on her empty pillow. Blue silk, torn from Iris's gown. Nora held it while her hands shook. Darius questioned every guard. The answers were impossible. Maeve had been sleeping. The hallway was watched. The windows were sealed. No one entered. No one left. The traitor inside Frosthold had not needed a door. At midnight, a courier hawk struck the window of Nora's suite. The message was written on the back of a Blackridge prayer card. Come home, Nora. Bring the contracts, or Maeve loses a finger for every name you free. No signature. It did not need one. Rowan. Nora read the card once. Twice. Then she set it on the table with dangerous care. Darius's face had become the face of winter before a killing storm. "You are not going to Blackridge alone," he said. "I know." "You are not trading yourself." "I know." "Then tell me what you are thinking." Nora looked at Lina Ash sleeping in the corner chair, at the voided contract on the desk, at the ribbon from the woman who had saved her life more than once. "I am thinking," she said, "that Rowan still believes Blackridge is home." Darius waited. Nora lifted her head. "Let's go teach him who owns the doors now."