They Forgot My Rank, So the Lycan King Claimed Me novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Midwinter

Nessa's POV

The Guard never found Poppy.

Ninety-one days later, on Midwinter night, she walked into the Bonding Hall in a hooded white cloak.

By then I had slept in Torin's bed for most of those nights and kept my own room at the dormitory for show.

I had also won the cadet trials for my year.

I did not think about Poppy for most of it.

The Bonding Hall was round, with a fire pit in the center and three hundred people on the stone benches.

The Court had come from all over the Southern Territory, and they wore black and silver.

I stood on the floor in a grey dress.

Torin stood on the dais above me in his black coat.

Neither of us had told anyone what the next minute held.

The oldest elder of the Court rose with a staff in his hand.

"By the Old Law, Article Nine," he said. "The Silver Wolf of the Crown may dissolve this bond tonight in person, before the Court, and no one may stop her. Does she dissolve it, or does she keep it?"

The whole hall waited.

I opened my mouth.

"Don't answer yet," a voice called.

It came from the back benches.

Heads turned, and the hooded figure pushed her way down the aisle.

She threw her hood back.

Her hair was matted, and her face was thin, and she was smiling the old sweet smile.

"Poppy," I said.

"Hello, Nessa."

The Guardsmen started toward her, and she held up one hand.

"I only want to say something that's true," she said to the Court. "And then you can have me."

"Let her speak," Torin said.

I stared at him.

He didn't look at me.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Poppy said sweetly. "My sister has been misled. I know you all think this is a romance."

Someone near the front laughed uneasily.

"The Old Law was written for one reason," she said. "A Silver Wolf's pups can carry the Crown's strength for another three hundred years. Ask any elder. Ask the clerk."

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