Chapter 106: Finding Marek
Lucien was the first to break the silence. His voice was hushed. "That matches what I’ve read. The prophecy fragments I have been studying mention the bonds of blood and duty that anchor you to this world. The Wanderers are not just an army. They are cursed beings, bound to the Witch Queen’s will, but unable to find rest. Their curse is linked to the same celestial alignment that marks you as the Chosen." He stepped closer to the bed, his academic focus taking over. "If you were to willingly sever your own bonds, the very thing that defines your purpose, that act could fracture the prophecy itself. It could confer legitimacy on your chosen status or undermine it entirely. If they won you to their side, or even just neutralized you, they could use that fractured power to break their own curse. A world with no chosen protector is a world they could claim."
"So they want Aveloria because they believe she can break their curse," Theron said.
Lucien nodded. "Yes. If she severs her bonds for peace, it weakens her connection to what she’s meant to be. It makes it easier for the Witch Queen to control her. If they have her, they will use her to reshape everything."
"And not for the better right?"
"No. They will plunge the world into darkness. Whoever resists dies. There will be war."
Theron’s jaw tightened. "They will not succeed. Not while we stand together."
Galen’s laugh was short and harsh. "But we are not together, Theron. We are not united right now. Marek is gone."
They all knew what he meant.
Galen continued. "He is bewitched, possibly trying to find Rowena. That is not an accident. It is the first move. That means they’ve already started breaking us apart. Look at the nightmare she had. Why did the witch queen suddenly appear to her?" He gestured to Aveloria.
Lucien added, "And it will not take long before they start hunting the rest of us. If Rowena is really the Witch Queen, then she has a greater influence than we do. She has access within the Lycanthria court and the wanderers’ armies. To information. To magic. To everything."
"We need to be united to win this battle."
The weight of their analysis pressed down on the room. Silence fell again. All three men turned to look at Aveloria, waiting for her to speak. They had given their counsel. The decision, now that she was awake, was hers.
"We need to find Marek." Her voice was quiet but firm. "Galen, send out our men to find him by all means. We have to find him before the wanderers lay a hold on him."
Galen opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, the door opened.
The High Priestess entered, followed by two physicians. She walked closer to the bed and studied Aveloria’s face carefully. "You’re awake, your Highness. That’s good." She said, a small formal smile touching her lips.
"How do you feel?" The priestess asked.
"Tired and sore," Aveloria answered honestly.
The Priestess nodded and gestured to one of the physicians, who came forward with a small wooden case. "That is to be expected. Your body has been through a great ordeal. The spirit and the flesh are deeply connected. We will examine you, with your permission. To ensure your strength is returning as it should."
Aveloria gave a slight nod of consent. The physician began by checking the pulse at her wrist, then her temperature by placing her hand on her forehead, and asking her to follow a moving finger with her eyes.
Theron, Galen, and Lucien had stepped back, giving the medical attendants space. But their postures remained alert. The conversation was paused, but the decision was made. The Priestess’s arrival was an interruption, not a course change.
As the physician worked, the High Priestess watched Aveloria closely. "Your highness, the king is doing fine now. We’ve been able to purify his soul from every bewitchment."
"I’m glad he is fine. Can I see him as soon as possible?"
"That won’t be a problem."
The physician finished and stepped back, murmuring to the Priestess that the princess’s vital signs were stable, that rest and nourishment were the best medicines now. She signaled to the physicians to leave afterwards.
"But I see they’ve been just three of your mates with you."
"Marek is missing. Possibly under my step-sister’s bewitchment." Aveloria told the priestess her vision.
"I suggest you find him and bring him to the temple as soon as possible for cleansing. You can’t have your bond divided."
Aveloria nodded in agreement. "I must return to the palace soon," she said.
"I’m sorry you cannot return to the palace yet. The woman you met in your visions isn’t ordinary. You should stay at the temple much longer to learn more about your powers and do more cleansing. Your mother was quite a strong witch when she was alive. You have it passed down to you."
"I know. My uncle mentioned it when I last visited him. But there’s so much to do—"
"You can’t fight the witch Queen with swords and spears. I can feel it in the spirit that Rowena grows stronger every day as a vessel. I felt it at the bonding ceremony. A dark aura oozed from her."
"So there’s no doubt that Rowena is the vessel of a Witch Queen," Lucien added.
"So what do you suggest we do?" Theron asked.
"I insist, she trains her power. I have a good source that helped train your mother years back. I will also pray to the Moon Goddess for protection."
"She can do that," Theron replied.
Aveloria tried to protest but kept her mouth shut, knowing they wouldn’t let her take a chance.
"When you are strong enough, you can return to the palace fully. There is no hurry here."
But there was a hurry. Aveloria felt it in the anxiety of her three protectors, in the memory of the Witch Queen’s offered bargain, in Marek’s disappearance.
Her mind was already planning the first steps. They would need information on Rowena’s movements, on any hint of Marek’s whereabouts. They would need to act quickly and avoid starting a civil war.
The High Priestess offered another gentle smile. "We will bring you some broth. Try to sleep a little more. True recovery takes time."
The three men murmured polite thanks. The Priestess left the room, the door closing softly behind her.
In the renewed quiet, the four of them were alone again. The brief interlude of normalcy was over. The reality of their situation filled the space once more.
Aveloria pushed the blankets back. Her legs felt unsteady, but she swung them over the side of the bed. She looked at the three of them.
"Start making the arrangements to find Marek. Declare Rowena wanted and place a heavy bounty on her head." She said. Her tone left no room for debate.
