LUCIEN
The chamber reeked of storm. Maps of the kingdom lay unfurled across my desk, weighted by daggers and crystal markers. And in the center of it all, Leonel paced like a lycan in a cage, his fists tightening at his sides.
“She’s a plague, Lucien!” he spat, his voice cracking with rage. “First Callum Brooksbane. Then she worms her way here through Eryx. Now the whole realm sees her as yours. Do you understand what this means? Every house, every council, every vulture in the court—laughing at us. Laughing at you.”
I leaned back in my chair. Unlike my brother, I was calm.
“Exile her,” Leonel spat again, his boots echoing as he spun toward my desk. “At dawn, send her away. Better yet—make a public decree. Strip her of any ties to Valtherion. Let her rot in the outskirts, whe
