Chapter 30 – Whispers in the Shadows
The palace halls had never felt so heavy with silence. Aelion moved through them as though the very walls pressed closer with every step, gilded pillars casting long shadows that swallowed him whole. Behind him, steady as ever, was Kealen—his presence less of a shadow and more of a shield. The bond between them had grown stronger with every trial, but with strength came vulnerability. They both knew it: the closer they became, the greater the risk of discovery. Tonight, there was no comfort in the familiar marble floors or the tapestries depicting old victories. Tonight, whispers slithered in the corners. Spies, informants, and traitors seemed to breed in the dark like moths to fire. “They’re watching you,” Kealen murmured, his voice so low it could have been mistaken for the wind. Aeli
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