Chapter 138 - 140

Chapter 138: Chapter 140

Dominic’s Point of View

I stood tall before Alpha Gary and my father. Alpha Gary was still blinking in breathless astonishment, his gaze shifting between my legs and Ivy’s countenance as the weight of the truth settled into his mind.

“The Divine Doctor is really your wife?” he still couldn’t believe it.

“Yes.” I nodded.

He slowly exhaled. “Then I understand why you kept her identity hidden. If word spreads that a shaman of her level is living inside Evernight, every powerful pack in the werewolf kingdom will come looking for her.”

“That’s exactly why we told you to keep this a secret.” My father urged.

“Calm down Alaric. It’s safe with me.” Alpha Gary looked at Ivy again. “You saved Dominic’s legs.”

Ivy smiled faintly. “I only did what I could.”

“Only?” Alpha Gary almost laughed. “I’ve known physicians who spent years studying healing arts and couldn’t accomplish what you’ve done. The secrets are safe in my heart, Alaric.” Alpha Gary assured once again, and my father gave him a grateful nod.

“There is something you need to know, father,” I said.

My father turned toward me. “What is it? Speak.”

“The five elite guards I sent to escort Prince Vikron and Princess Deyani safely back to their kingdom have just returned. They returned within the hour and brought news from the center of the Kingdom of Howling Ashes."

My father straightened. “What happened?” I took a slow breath.

"While Vikron and Deyani were here searching for the iron box, something happened in their kingdom. Boran poisoned their father... the supreme Werewolf King who commands the entire Kingdom of Howling Ashes."

“Boran poisoned his own father?” My father asked. He was in shock, and I nodded. “Is the King dead?"

"No," I responded. "The poison has caused their father to remain unconscious until now."

“And their physician?” Alpha Gary asked.

“They have tried everything,” I answered. “They have tried everything available to them, but they haven’t been able to neutralize the poison. The king remains unconscious, and nobody in the kingdom has been able to bring him back.”

"If their doctors are failing, the poison must be a bad one." My father growled. "Boran wanted to ensure that even if Vikron returned with the iron box, there would be no king left to receive it. He has turned his own father into a clock."

“Then Vikron must be desperate right now that his father is close to joining his ancestors.” Ivy finally spoke.

“Indeed, Vikron is. I said looking at Ivy. "Vikron states that if the divine doctor Lin agrees to enter their kingdom, and successfully provide medical treatment to restore the King’s health, he is fully willing to pay exactly one million imperial gold coins straight away the moment the king wakes."

“One million gold pieces... that is an empire’s treasury." My father said.

One million?” Alpha Gary gasped. “That’s such a huge amount.”

"The gold is nothing compared to his life," I interrupted. "Prince Vikron has promised that if his father is saved, the two werewolf kingdoms... our Evernight Kingdom and his Kingdom of Howling Ashes... will sign an unbreakable treaty to coexist peacefully within the next two hundred years."

“Boran doesn’t know that Vikron sent this message to us” I said. “He may not know that the divine doctor is capable of treating the king. If she enters Howling Ashes and succeeds, Boran’s position becomes even weaker.”

“And if Boran discovers that the divine doctor can save the king?” My father asked.

I knew exactly what he was thinking. He wasn’t thinking about the money. He was thinking about Ivy. Her identity was revealed to Gary... which was a very big risk, and now we were already discussing sending her into a foreign kingdom where a prince had poisoned his own father for power.

My father looked at Ivy. “What do you think?”

Ivy took a slow breath. “I don’t know.” Her honesty surprised me.

“You don’t think you can cure it?” Alpha Gary asked.

“I didn’t say that.” Ivy looked at him. “I said I don’t know. You must understand the anatomy of foreign poisons," Ivy spoke out clearly. "The royal houses of the Howling Ashes use rare poisons. I don’t know what kind of poison was used.”

“This is serious?” Alpha Gary said. All of this was still new to him.

“My medical skills and my energy paths may not be able to completely save or neutralize the exact poison. The marrow might already be dead. But seeing the immense weight of the treaty he has laid down... I will ride to the kingdom and try my best to save the dying king."

I knew she was telling the truth. She had never pretended to be capable of everything. But hearing her say it aloud made the journey feel more dangerous.

“You don’t have to go,” I said. Ivy looked at me. I shook my head. “I’m serious. We can refuse Vikron.” I continued. “The one million gold coins aren’t worth your life.” I said.

Ivy’s expression softened.“I know.”

“Then you don’t have to do this.”

“But if there is a chance that I can save him, shouldn’t I at least try?”

My father slammed his fist against the wood, a proud smile breaking on his face. "The shaman’s fire does not fear. If Ivy successfully saves the king, we will secure our flank for two centuries."

"I agree with Alpha Alaric entirely," Alpha Gary said. "This magnificent accord can bring long-term peace to the two kingdoms. It is a window we cannot afford to close. I believe with every fiber of my bones that Ivy needs to make this trip immediately.” Alpha Gary said.

“I’ll do it.” Ivy stood on her word.

"So, I have decided right now to send my own daughter, Ama, to support you.”

“Thank you, Alpha Gary.” Ivy thanked him.

I replayed it all over in my head: One million gold coins, two hundred years of peace, a poisoned king, a betrayed family, and a kingdom on the verge of falling into the hands of a ruthless prince.

I had no idea what awaited us in Howling Ashes.