The earlier night time, she had moved from room to room, assembly new Therians and having a beautiful time. Between her current efforts and Luca’s announcement, Ivanna was recognized, so she couldn’t go unnoticed amongst them. She was acknowledged as somebody they may speak to, which she didn’t thoughts. She’d heard a lot the earlier night time, from heart-rending tales to horrible rumors.

Ivanna was very involved a few rumor that one of many hyena clans was defying Luca’s slavery ban and whispering of an try on his life. She knew that some Therians had accrued astonishing wealth within the slave commerce, and the title “Jules Sournois” provoked concern among the many former slaves. Many had been captured and bought by his clan.

She’d been born into slavery within the palace, however Ivanna had heard tales concerning the issues Jules and his pack had finished to the individuals they bought. He dealt in Therians, vampires, and even people. So long as he acquired paid, he didn’t care. The tales mentioned he didn’t thoughts roughing up the merchandise to interrupt their spirit.

Ivanna lastly reached her chamber and gratefully sank down onto the mattress. She’d danced for hours, and her toes ached. She didn’t normally put on a costume and heels, however she had not been in a position to flip down the robe Luca had commissioned for her.

Luca had claimed the primary dance, and one Therian after one other had lined up behind him. She sighed in aid as she slipped off her footwear. With the blood now circulating in her toes, Ivanna turned her ideas to the hyenas whereas she eliminated the costume.

If even half the rumors had been true, Luca was dealing with an actual drawback. Ivanna wouldn’t enable that. She ought to report the rumors to Viktorija, however none had indicated an imminent assault, and he or she wanted to get some sleep. After she woke, she would affirm the rumors by chatting with visiting Therians who got here from areas close to the hyenas’ territory, then current the scenario to Viktorija. Glad together with her plan, she climbed into mattress and was asleep in moments.

Ivanna slept for 4 hours, waking with late morning daylight streaming by means of her home windows. She showered and dressed rapidly, donning her King’s Guard uniform moderately than one other of the flowing robes she’d acquired from the king. She was now a duchess, however she was additionally a Guard, and he or she wouldn’t abandon her unit.

She swung by the kitchens on her approach to the visitor quarters the place all of the Therian delegations who’d come for the ceremony had been staying. The Swedish moose and Turkish lynx representatives had provided credible rumors about Jules’ antics. She knocked on the moose delegation’s door first.

Rikkard Olsson, the moose king, was a tall, good-looking man with salt and pepper hair and honey-colored eyes. He checked out his customer with curiosity. They’d been launched the night time earlier than, so he knew who she was. “Duchess Kirikova.” He bowed his head in greeting. “What can I do for you?”

Ivanna smiled warmly. “I hoped you had a second to debate Jules and the hyenas, Your Highness. If they’re planning to assault the crown, I have to know.”

He stepped again and gestured. “Please, are available in. I’ve been ready to your go to. Sit, and I’ll let you know every part I do know.”

Ivanna sat in an armchair and waited for King Rikkard to hitch her earlier than she acquired to the purpose. “Your males’s rumors had been among the many most credible.”

He nodded. “We traveled overland to get right here, and alongside the way in which, we heard many issues. Granted, it was all rumors, however one was informed in too many locations to be a coincidence. Jules and his pack of degenerates have been slavers for a while. After Nikoli died and Luca outlawed it, Jules’ operation collapsed in a single day. As you possibly can think about, he was not happy.”

“All of the rumors mentioned that. Are you aware when Jules started planning his assault and what he intends to do?”

“Virtually instantly. Jules went into hiding so he may proceed working, and he put out a name for mercenaries whereas he amassed assist amongst these Therians who had been content material with Nikoli’s tyranny.” Rikkard sneered. “He believes the crown is weak with Luca on the helm, and he seeks to usurp the throne earlier than our king can firmly set up his rule.

Ivanna growled. “Let him strive.”

Rikkard chuckled. “Technique isn’t his sturdy level, or he would see the folly of his plan. From what I heard, Jules will assemble a military of Therians to assault the palace, hoping to overwhelm the standing forces since he thinks we’re in disarray.”

Her jaw dropped. “That’s madness!”

He shrugged. “He’s grasping and fearless. I don’t suppose he realizes how many people assist Luca and would lay down our lives for his trigger.”

“Did you hear the rest of worth?”

Rikkard shook his head.

She was now keen to talk to the lynxes and report her findings to Viktorija. “Then I shall take my go away. Thanks to your time, King Rikkard.”

She bowed and left, then hurried to the place the lynx delegation was staying. Savas Aksoy, their king, was a grasping man, although he may very well be benevolent if there was a profit for him.

A sly grin curled his lips when he noticed Ivanna. “Duchess.” He bowed his head. “To what do I owe the dignity of this go to?”

Ivanna took the seat he provided and acquired straight to the purpose. “I’m investigating rumors of a Therian rebellion led by a gaggle of hyena slavers. Your males had been speaking about it final night time. “

“What are you asking, Duchess?”

“I merely want data, Your Highness.”

A grasping gleam entered his eyes. “What would the data be price to you, expensive?” He was performing good-natured, however Ivanna wouldn’t go away with out the information she sought.

She lifted one eyebrow. “The gratitude of your king, whom I serve.” Her tone left no room for negotiation.

Savas held up his palms and grinned, then shrugged. “You possibly can’t blame a person for making an attempt.”

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