My Heir Was In The Stable

I saved a slave whose tongue had been cut out. He looked about the same age as my son, but the flame mark on his neck was unmistakable. That bond belonged to House Valen alone; it was our bloodline and ours only. My son, though, was with his father right now, celebrating his 10th birthday. I swallowed the blood rising in my throat and forced myself to think clearly. Then the sound of beatings came from the stable. And that flame mark drove into my chest like a curved blade. beat him to death, you filthy little bastard stealing feed from the young master's purebred horse. A small figure lay curled on the ground, covered in foul smelling mud, his mouth and nose were bleeding from the blows but his eyes, his eyes were fierce, defiant, like he was ready to take everyone down with him. He looked exactly like my father in the heat of battle, when the killing rage took hold, my heart sank. Stop right now One command, the years of war behind my voice dropped those soldiers hands to their knees before they could think. My lady. they scrambled and crawled, collapsing at my feet. The mute slave seized the moment, loosened his bite, crawled back into the corner and watched me with guarded eyes I walked toward him one step at a time he couldn't have been more than ten starved down to skin and bone beneath his thin rags whip scars and frostbite wounds crisscrossed his entire body old injuries buried under new ones. Ten years had he been sleeping and eating in this stable with the animals for ten years, my hand trembled as I reached out to touch his head, he swapped it away like a startled wild thing and exposed a dark red birthmark. Shaped like a flame, the bloodline mark of House Valon.

Lucas was pointing at the birthday cake, but he wasn't talking to me. He was talking to Lillian. She shot me a timid glance and then said softly, "Young Master, your lady mother is right here. Mind your manners. " She said, "Mind your manners," but her hands were already cutting the cake and lifting it to his lips. Lucas swallowed it in one bite and beamed. Lillian's the only one who actually cares about me, not like some people always forcing me to train with the sword. I was his mother to give him a fighting chance among the nobility I had hired the finest tutors money could buy for both scholarship and combat and driven him hard day and night. And this was what I'd become to hima grievance. Julian laughed and smoothed things over. "He's still young; kids say things. Don't take it to heart, darling. " As he spoke, he casually reached over and smoothed out a crease on Lillian's collar—practiced, effortless, like he'd done it a thousand times. A sharpeyed guest nearby made a joke of it. "The Chancellor really is generous; that's quite the attention for a household employee. "Julian didn't even blink. We're from the same village, of course I look out for her. How amusing looked out for her so well their son got her exact eyes. Lucas picked up the first slice of birthday cake. He didn't give it to me, the woman who'd carried him for nine months. He didn't give it to Julian either; he took it carefully with both hands and handed it to Lillian. Lillian's always been delicate; she needs the best piece. It'll do her good. Lillian put on her most flustered, grateful expression, but the corner of her eye slid toward me, sharp with something that looked very much like a dare. Oh, this isn't really proper is it Lucas announced loudly. in this house what I say goes. Right, Dad.

Of course, it's your birthday, you're the boss today. What a happy family! The crystal glass in my hand gave a sharp crack and shattered. Red wine ran through my fingers and dripped onto my skirt. The room went silent, a flicker of panic lost in Julian's eyes before he frowned. What are you doing it's a celebration blood on a day like this is a terrible o. men I dropped the broken glass stem and wiped my hand with a silk cloth. Slipped I'm going to change, carry on As I turned to leave, I heard Lucas mutter under his breath. Such a kill lock always walking around with that face. I didn't break stride. I am Elara Vallon, commander of the Vallon Legion. My tears are for soldiers who die in battle; they will never be for domestic affairs. I didn't go to my chambers; I went around to the stone terrace in the rear courtyard, Julian's favorite spot. Sure enough, footsteps came hurrying in not long after. Dad, when's that old witch gonna die already? Soon. Once I get my hands on the Valen Legion Command Seal, I'll send her to meet her maker. Lilian's voice came next, honeyed and trembling. Julian, I'm scared. That woman kills without blinking. What if she finds out? Finds out she's just a woman who potters around the kitchen all day. She's got nothing left of the soldier she used to be. Kale is such a good boy. One day, the Valen region will be all yours, and so will every inch of Ashford Estate. Lillian kissed Lucas. My sweet boy, 10 years of calling that woman your mother. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Lucas spit in disgust. I never wanted to call her that anyway, she always smells like the stable, it's revolting. She's not even in your league. Mum. I pressed my back against the stone wall; the pain in my knuckles was bonedeep. Ten years, every last day of it a lie. The man sharing my bed, an animal wearing a human face, the son I poured myself into raising. A creature just waiting for the right moment to bite House Valon has served this kingdom with loyalty for generations and we had been used as a stepping stone for this filth to climb on I didn't step out from behind that wall The way I stood now, no military authority, no evidence Storming out would only tip my hand. Eldarion does not go into battle unprepared.

The Vallon bloodline runs hot in the vein, that mark looks like living fire. Lucas, the son I'd raised for ten years, didn't have it. I always thought he took after his father Julian. The truth had been right in front of me the whole timemy own flesh and blood, dumped in a stable, living alongside animals for 10 years. I pulled off my cloak and wrapped it around him, filth and stench be damned, and held him tight. He went surgy for a moment; perhaps it was the first warmth he'd ever felt. The ferocity in his eyes dimmed just slightly. "Don't be afraid, come with me. ". I didn't take him to the main wing, instead I brought him to my private vault, the one where I kept my personal assets. The one only I knew about, I gave him a name, Kael, Kael Vallon, I am the only daughter of Duke Rowland Vallon, years ago, I set aside my armor, brought with me a vast fortune in dowry and married down to a lowborn scholar named Julia Ashfield. I spent years pulling him up by his bootstraps until he sat in the highest seat in the kingdom, Royal Chancellor. Everyone said the Chancellor was devoted and lovingly henpecked; our son Lucas was accomplished in both letters and arms. The King himself had named him heir. Today was Lucas's tenth birthday. The estate was packed with guests. I reached out to check the back of his neck, but he instinctively pulled away and ran straight into the arms of Lillian, the healer. She was Julian's childhood friend from the same village, taken in after her family fell on hard times. The day I gave birth, I'd lost consciousness from a difficult labor. Lillian, as the attending healer, had moved freely in and out of the delivery room. Julian had waited anxiously outside. When I came to, they placed a wrinkled newborn in my arms and told me it was my son. Julian was standing beside Lillian now, straightening the hairpin on her head as if no one else existed. His eyes were soft in a way I had never once seen in 10 years of marriage. I looked at Lucas, at his almond shaped eyes identical to Lilian's and the hand resting on my sword hilt began to shake. During that labor, I had fallen unconscious for three full days, no reason given. No explanation ever offered Julian, my dear devoted husband. What exactly did you swap out?

When I returned to the main wing, Julian was waiting with a cup of sobering tonic. He looked up with warm concern the moment he saw me. darling, where did you go? I've been looking everywhere for you. I made this myself; drink it while it'. s hot. I didn't touch it. Settling into my seat and adjusting my sleeve, I said. Julian, I was wandering in the garden just now and something came to my mind Julian kept his smile Oh? What's that? Lillian's not getting any younger; it isn't quite right for her to go on living here indefinitely. People will gossip. As Lady of this house, it's my duty to find her a suitable match. Julian's expression shifted. Lillian hasn't been well; the physician said she can't handle too much stress. A marriage right now might. not be all the more reason to lift her spirits. I've already found someonethe butcher's son on the east side of town, built like an owl. Her family runs a butcher shop; she'd eat well every single day. He'll have her looking plump and healthy in no time. The color drained from Julian's face. That butcher's son was a notorious drunk, with three dead wives all beaten to death in a stooper. That's completely out of the question. Lillian comes from a decent family; she can't marry a butcher. I looked at him evenly. Oh! She thinks a butcher is beneath her You were a penniless scholar when I married you. I didn't complain.

Julian speechless. Besides, her parents are gone; I'm her sisterinlaw. As her sisterinlaw and the lady here, I'm the one responsible for her future. This is my call to make I didn't give him room to argue. The wedding carriage comes tomorrow morning. The next day, music and fanfare echoed across Ashford Estate at the crack of dawn. A red bridal carriage rolled directly up to Lillian's door. Lillian went white as a sheet and fainted. Or pretended to Lucas came charging out and shoved the driver. aside, get out all of you, get out. You're evil, you're just jealous of Lilian, I won't let you do this to her. I looked at that face, a face that shared not a drop of my blood and felt the last flicker of feeling inside me go dark and doing this for her own good. Every woman marries eventually Does she plan to spend the rest of her life at Ashford Estate as an old maid. Are old maids better than marrying a butcher? Lillian is dead enough. Julian came rushing in and cracked a hard slap across Lucas's face That surprised me Julian actually struck his own precious boy So that was it he was afraid Lucas would let something slip Julian turned to me with an apologetic smile. Darling the boy doesn't know better but this really is too sudden. Lillian just fainted. The physician says she can't be startled. Couldn't we put this off a little? I looked at the three of them, banding together, holding each other up. Fine. Then I'd make them suffer slowly. Let them feel every inch of it. Since she's ill, she should rest properly. Seal off Lillian's quarters. No one goes in or out for her good. She needs complete quiet. And since she's so weak, keep her simple diet, no more rich food. From now on, she'll eat nothing but plain porridge and bread. Lillian had just come around when she heard that, she nearly fainted again. I looked at the three of them huddled together. holding each other up. You're sick! You're trying to starve her to death. It wasn't a hard kick, but it was the last one I would ever allow. I slapped him across the face, hard.

Lucas stood there, stunned, hand pressed to his cheek, staring at me like he couldn't believe what had just happened. Ten years, I had never once raised my voice at him, never my hand until now. Bring me the house road. the steward crept forward, trembling and held out an oil soaked leather strap. Elara, have you lost your mind? He's 10 years old; you'll kill him with that thing! You're telling me he's ten years old? 10 years old and already challenging me, shouting abuse at his elders. No respect at all! If I don't act now, he'll burn this estate down tomorrow. I am the lady of this house; I have every right to discipline my son. When it was done, I dropped the blooded strap on the floor. Take the young master to his study; he's confined until he's copied the sacred texts 100 times. He doesn't eat until it's finished. After dealing with that mess, I felt surprisingly refreshed. Late that night, I slipped away for everyone and made my way down to the private vault. Kale was inside, using a wooden stick to practice strikes against the shadows on the wall; the form was rough, but every movement carried a reckless ferocity it was the kind of drive that didn't care if it lived or died. When he saw me, he immediately tucked the stick behind him and pressed back into the corner, watching me. I set down a fine bottle of medicine and a pork chustal roasted until the fat ran golden. He stared at the food, his throat moved, but he didn't reach for it. I tore off a piece and ate it in front of him. That was all it took, he launched himself at it and ate like he was trying to make up for every missed meal at once when he finished he looked up at me. Some of the wariness had left his eyes I picked up the wooden stick and settled into a proper opening stance Do you want revenge?

I didn't treat him like a child; I treated him like a soldier. Do you want to grind every last person who ever stepped on you into the dirt beneath your feet? Cal couldn't speak, but the fire that blazed up in his eyes nearly leaped out of him. He nodded hard once. I took his hands and adjusted his grip, corrected his posture. From this day forward, you are House Valen's wolf. You learn to hide your fangs until the moment you can close them around your enemy's throat. Meanwhile, Julian dropped to his knees outside Lilian's sealed quarters and begged. I let him suffer a while, then played along I released Lilian. But I demoted her to my personal handmaid, her first duty washing my feet. And while I was at it, I took back full control of the entire estate. To make them completely drop their guard, I began to flatter and coddle them. I deliberately let Lucas steal the strategic manuscripts my father had left behind so he could run to his worthless father and take credit. Then I dismissed the strict swordsmanship instructor and replaced him with a pack of fanning, idle rich boys as study companions. I let Lucas throw himself into gambling dens and let his training rot. At the same time, I took Kael out to a valley beyond the city and ran him through hell. He didn't flinch from pain, blood, or injury; weighted runs and barehanded fights against wild wolves. He endured it all without complaint. Within a single month, he could draw a 300pound warhammer. And he had completely grasped the essence of the Vallon family spear style. Watching him train, sweat pouring down his face, I knew with absolute certainty this is the true bloodline of House Valen. Then came the day of the Royal Autumn Hunt; this year's hunt carried particular weight because, after 10 years holding the northern border, my father, Duke Roland Valen, had finally returned in triumph.