Violet
Nessa must have noticed my expression, because she let out a soft laugh.
"I know how that sounds. But you have to understand, he is gentle, patient, and honestly the most benevolent ruler Silverwood has had in generations, truly." She smiled with a wistful look. "But when he’s angry... when he is truly angry... it’s terrifying."
I knew what he was capable of, but I wasn’t sure I had ever seen Rowan truly angry...
Nessa started to walk again, so I followed her.
She let out a breath. "The won find it alluring, of course. The soft exterior hiding sothing dangerous underneath." Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "There’s sothing intoxicating about a man who could destroy you but chooses to be gentle instead."
I stopped walking.
Nessa glanced back at , her golden brows lifting slightly.
The way she had said it. The distant look in her eyes, the curve of her smile, the hint of longing in her voice.
She was one of those won.
A twinge of jealousy twisted in my chest and I hated myself for it. This woman must like Rowan.
I reined the feeling in, forcing myself to relax. I had no claim on Rowan, and no right to feel possessive. We weren’t... we weren’t anything. Just like Kael and I weren’t...
’I’d rather not have such depressing thoughts.’
"I see," I said softly and started walking again.
Nessa studied my face for a mont, a bit amused.
Her voice then took on a more conversational tone. "Well, he wasn’t always like this. None of us really paid him much attention when he was young."
I fought the urge to sigh. I wanted to tell her to stop talking about Rowan as it was starting to get on my nerves again just after I had stifled the uncomfortable feeling. But I was partly curious.
She paused at a window, looking out at the castle grounds below. "Until this young man killed his father and the entire council in a single night."
I frowned, stopping right beside her.
What did she just say?
"What?" The word ca out strangled.
Nessa’s expression was calm, almost pleased while I tried to reconcile Rowan’s gentle manner with what she had told .
She was either lying or there had to be a very solid reason for him to have done that.
"He was barely more than a boy at the ti. No one saw it coming. One day he was the little boy in the shadows, and the next..." She spread her hands comically. "He was the Supre Alpha."
"Why exactly?" I whispered. "Why would he do that?"
Nessa’s expression softened slightly, sothing almost sad entering her eyes.
"He had his reasons," she said quietly. "Good reasons, from what I understand. Our previous Supre Alpha was not a good wolf. Neither was the council that served him. While the territory did flourish in certain aspects, the things they did, and the things they allowed to happen..." She shook her head. "Let just say it was quite terrible."
She then leaned against the window, smiling. "We are all thankful for it."
I watched her and my shock subsided. From her expression, and from the little she described, I guessed he had done sothing right no matter how grave it was. It then made wonder just what exactly his father and the previous council had done to drive Rowan to carry out such an act.
Nessa straightened from the window and reached out to gently touch my arm. "I didn’t an to upset you. I just thought you should know, and especially see how much we have done with the old ways."
I nodded. "I understand. Thank you."
So that was why she was telling all this?
Nessa nodded, her hand falling away from my arm.
"Co," she said, her tone lightening. "We’re almost to the eastern wing. There’s a courtyard garden there that’s absolutely lovely this ti of day."
We turned down another corridor, this one quieter than the others. The windows here were larger, offering a view of the castle grounds below. A beautiful garden sprawled all over the area.
"The view from the upper floors is even better," Nessa said, following my gaze. "There’s a terrace we can look on from there."
"It’s lovely," I admitted quietly.
"It is." Nessa’s voice had softened. "I’ve lived here my whole life, and I still find myself stopping to admire the view sotis."
We stood there for a mont, looking out at the grounds in comfortable silence.
Then Nessa spoke again, her tone carefully casual.
"So. You traveled all the way from Fresna with Lord Rowan?"
I tensed slightly, not sure what she was trying to hint at. "Yes."
"Just the two of you?"
"For most of the journey, yes."
Nessa nodded slowly, her eyes still fixed on the window.
"It was strange how he just left his envoys, but considering the weight of the situation at hand, I understand."
"I understand it can be a bit confusing. I was confused at first too."
Nessa turned to look at , her brown eyes searching my face.
"My mind has been buzzing with a few theories ever since I noticed Lord Rowan’s reaction. The drastic change in his deanour was quite surprising."
I should have known...
I t her gaze steadily.
"I’m a guest," I said. "That is all, really."
Nessa held my stare for a long mont. Then she smiled. It wasn’t the bright, polished smile from before, but sothing smaller and more knowing.
"Of course," she said lightly. "Forgive . I’m prying again. It just looked strange to since it didn’t necessarily look like his usual politeness to important guests."
She turned back to the window, and for a mont, a strange emotion flickered across her features.
My heart stuttered in my chest.
If I wasn’t wrong, she must likely have so feelings for him. I suddenly recalled how she had looked when Rowan had brushed past her earlier this morning.
"I don’t know what you an," I said, but even I could hear how unconvincing it sounded.
Nessa just let out a soft breath and her face smoothed back into a warm, pleasant mask.
"Anyway," she said brightly, "we should continue the tour. There’s still so much to see, and I promised to show you the best spots."
She started walking again, and after a mont’s hesitation, I followed. If she tried to bring up Rowan one way or another, I might have to put it down.
And thankfully, we didn’t speak of him again.
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