The letter hadn’t left Kaelira’s mind.
Trust no prince.
The words echoed through her thoughts as she wandered the palace gardens before sunrise.
The roses were still covered in dew, and a cool breeze carried the scent of pine through the air.
She knew she should doubt all four heirs.
She had promised herself she would.
Yet every time danger found her…
Ronan was there.
He had saved her in Black Hollow.
He had trained her.
He had stood beside her when the Council tried to control her.
And somehow…
That frightened her more than any enemy.
Because trusting someone always came with the risk of losing them.
She found Ronan exactly where she expected.
At the edge of the training grounds, sharpening his sword in silence.
He looked up as she approached and smiled.
“You couldn’t sle
