high to retreat. Shadows pooled in the corners, and Seraphina moved through them like a wh

istakable. The bond between them pulsed with every heartbe

her mind, amber eyes locked on hers. "After all th

marble floor, every movement controlled. "I am Nightborne. I answ

gh the very hall where your family was betrayed, unarmed against shadows and lies.

with an insistence she refused to acknowledge. Her eyes swept the room,

ing its hunger, but their careful composure was fraying, ever so slightly. A glance toward a closed

ignals were becoming patterns. She could almost see the strategy formi

ith unspoken tension. The bond flared, a low hum at the edg

es glowing faintly. "Even now, when you

voice controlled. "It is irrelevant.

d. "It does not bend to wishes, nor doe

ed to name coiling tight in her chest. She clenched her hands

ntent, lords huddled in murmured conferences, their expressions careful masks hiding ambition,

esser lord. Their hands moved subtly, brushing over charms and sigils as if reinforcin

closer, she could hear fragments of their whispered words. Calculations,

tor remained hidden, confident in

that made her skin prickle. "You cannot do this alone," he said. "I w

ed, not turning to him. "

pressing at her chest, a reminder that they were entwined by

d. The traitor, the council, the hidden layers of decei

oward a sealed chamber betrayed concern. Seraphina's eyes narrowed. There was more here than the heir realized

ment. The clues were sparse but precise. And she would wait for th

ntial remained, huddled in whispered negotiation. Seraphina noted the subtle power plays-the slight t

n between them growing with each heartbeat. He did no

ment had been cataloged. Every gesture recorded. She had enough to identify patterns,

ction neither could deny. But she ignored it, focusing instead on what mattered: th

when she did, no deception, no power, no b

vor, shadow, and queen-in-w