I woke up to shouting.
Distant but urgent, coming from somewhere in the palace grounds. My body ached, the poison making everything feel heavy and wrong.
Through the bond, I felt Damon's sudden spike of alertness.
Something was happening.
I dragged myself to the window and looked down at the palace grounds. Guards were mobilizing, moving with military precision toward the main gates.
The door slammed open.
Damon walked in, already dressed. His face was hard and cold.
“Get dressed. You have five minutes.”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
"We have visitors. Uninvited ones." His voice was cold. "Five rogues just walked up to my gates and demanded to see me. About you.”
"What?"
"You heard me. They're armed. Refusing to leave. And the one in front, russet-haired, looks ready to fight ever
