Claimed by the vampire prince

Chapter 508: Chapter 508

Maps had been spread across the large desk in Ragnar’s study, their corners held down small journals.

Ragnar stood in front of the desk, one hand braced against the wood while the other rested behind his back. His gaze remained fixed intently on the part of the map that was labeled out as the capital.

"It will still be hard to march troops into the city without word reaching her first," Casilo said. "Even with the unrest inside the capital right now, the queen is not foolish enough to leave herself exposed. She will have an army of her own waiting for us when we arrive."

"She does not need to be foolish," Ragnar replied calmly. "Only distracted."

Gonan stopped pacing. "And you believe the death of her son will distract her that badly?"

Ragnar finally lifted his eyes from the map. "I know it will."

Once the news leaked, Azul’s death shook the kingdom more deeply than any rebellion ever could, especially coming so soon after the king’s own death. Coupled with the recent crisis, fear and uncertainty had begun poisoning the capital from the inside.

And Ragnar intended to make full use of it.

"Despite how vile she is as a person, Nheera loved her children more than anything," Ragnar continued. "More than her reputation. More than her own life.A grieving mother does not think like a ruler. She thinks recklessly."

Casilo approached the table. "That grief could also make her dangerous."

"Yes," Ragnar agreed. "But whatever counterattack she throws our way will be much less organized. And we will not give her the time to recover."

He reached down and pointed his finger directly onto the heart of the capital on the map.

"We strike the capital itself and take it. Whoever controls the capital, controls the kingdom. We will not get a better opportunity than this."

Gonan’s pacing halted completely. "A direct assault then?"

Ragnar’s mouth curved into a sharp, dangerous smile.

"The capital is already unstable. The people are angry, terrified and exhausted." He glanced toward Casilo. "How many men did we gain from our allies yet?"

"A thousand," Casilo answered immediately. "More arriving within the week."

"And what about my father’s bannermen?"

"They are still undecided."

Ragnar gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment before straightening fully.

"They will not stay undecided for long once they see our banners at the palace gates and the queen off the throne."

Gonan’s eyes gleaming with sudden ferocity. "You intend to force their hand with bloodshed."

"I intend to make it impossible for them to remain neutral," Ragnar said. "We do not waste time. That would give Nheera the chance to gather herself and more opportunities to turn the nobles against me. While she is still locked away weeping for her dead son, we take the palace by force."

Casilo’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully, though a flicker of concern crossed his face. "That is... bold. And risky."

"Those would take risks win kingdoms," Ragnar replied. "Caution only preserves them for others."

***

Ragnar pushed open the doors to his chambers and immediately spotted Circe seated on the cushioned settee. A silver tray rested on the small table in front of her, half-filled with pastries he had ordered the maids to bring earlier. A few crumbs clung to the edge of her fingers, though it looked as though she had long since lost interest in eating. freewebnøvel.coɱ

At the sound of the doors opening, she glanced toward him briefly. But just as quickly, she looked away.

Ragnar frowned.

Two days ago, he began noticing the way she seemed quiet and withdrawn. At first, he had assumed exhaustion was to blame. Since discovering she was pregnant, she was always feeling fatigued and drowsy, and he had done everything he could to ease her burdens. He had let her rest undisturbed in their chambers, ordered warm baths prepared for her whenever she wished, and even instructed the kitchen to send up an assortment of pastries in case she became hungry.

It was also why he had delayed telling her the news about his shadows returning.

Holding it back had been easier after reading Jayran’s letter informing him that someone had slit Azul’s throat while he had been unconscious. The shock of receiving the news had momentarily dulled the triumph of reclaiming the ability he had once believed lost forever.

But now, as he stood there watching Circe avoid his gaze, Ragnar realized this had little to do with tiredness.

Something was wrong.

Quietly, he crossed the room and sat beside her on the settee. The cushions dipped slightly beneath his weight. Leaning back against the backrest, he tilted his head to study her face.

"What’s wrong?" he asked softly.

Circe shook her head almost immediately. "Nothing."

Ragnar’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He knew that tone. He knew exactly what she sounded like when she was keeping something from him.

"Circe," he murmured, more gently this time. "Talk to me."

Again, she shook her head. "Nothing is wrong."

What Ragnar did not know was that it had become difficult for Circe to even look at him after learning the truth about his mother. The knowledge sat inside her like poison, eating away at her from the inside. Every second she kept it from him filled her with guilt.

She hated lying to him. Especially when Ragnar had never been anything but honest with her.

For a moment, he simply watched her in silence. Then, instead of growing frustrated, curiosity flickered across his face. Slowly, he reached for her hand and threaded his fingers through hers.

Without a word, Ragnar gently tugged at her hand, urging her up from her spot. Circe allowed herself to be guided toward him until she stood between his spread thighs.

He sat her on his lap, one of his arms wrapping securely around her waist, holding her against him.

Now with the space between them practically nonexistent, it was her turn to ask.

"Is something wrong?" she asked quietly.

Ragnar’s lips curved faintly.

"I wanted to hold you, since you refuse to tell me what’s going on in that head of yours."

Before she could respond, he leaned closer and buried his face against the curve of her neck. His breath brushed softly against her skin as he spoke again.

"I want to show you something." He said against her skin.

Circe relaxed completely in his arms despite herself. "What is it?"

The moment the words left her lips, she felt a strange pressure coil lightly around her wrist.

Her brows furrowed. free𝑤ebnovel.com

She looked down.

A thin tendril of shadow curled around her hand.

For two whole seconds, she simply stared.

Then her entire face lit up.

A wide, dazzling grin spread across her lips as she whipped around in his lap and threw both arms around his neck.

"You got them back," she said excitedly. "I can’t believe this. I’m so happy. So relieved. I didn’t think it would actually be possible."

Her joy burst out of her so openly that Ragnar could not help the amused chuckle that escaped him as he wrapped both arms around her.

And seeing the way her face brightened so instantly over something that concerned him—seeing how genuinely happy she was for him—sent warmth spreading through his chest.

It was impossible to love Circe more than he already did and yet, somehow, she continued giving him new reasons to.

***

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