The fortress bell stopped ringing.
But the silence it left behind felt worse.
I stared at Damian.
"Inside the royal court," I repeated.
He nodded.
"Yes."
"Then prove it."
There was no softness in my voice.
I didn't want another confession.
I didn't want another apology.
I wanted the truth.
Damian reached beneath his coat and pulled out a folded piece of parchment.
He handed it to me.
I opened it.
Three names were written across the page.
My eyes moved over them.
I recognized the first.
"Lord Garrick."
Damian nodded.
"Royal council member."
My eyes moved to the second.
"Lady Seraphine."
Kael's expression changed.
He stepped closer.
"She's been my mother's adviser for twenty years."
Damian said nothing.
I looked at the final name.
My stomach tightened.
"High Stewa
