CHAPTER 65
1514 Words
Elise’s Chambers – Early Morning
The towel in Elise’s hands went still, water dripping slowly onto the stone floor. She wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.
The attendant, however, didn’t blink.
“It’s been confirmed,” she repeated. “The alliance between the two houses is sealed. The marriage between you and Lord Kai will go forward.”
For a heartbeat, Elise said nothing. The room seemed to shrink, the steam curling around her like another layer of suffocation. “You’re certain?” she asked, voice cool, but her hand clenched around the towel.
The woman hesitated — then color rose in her cheeks. “Forgive me, my lady. I misspoke. The announcement is for Lady Becky and Lord Kai. The council finalized it late last night.”
The correction was like stepping from ice into fire — the sting different, but still sharp. Elise took a slow breath. “Becky,” she repeated, tasting the name like something bitter.
“Yes,” the attendant said, dipping her head quickly. “It was agreed that such a match would reassure the public and present… stability.” Her words carried the rehearsed cadence of someone repeating the council’s justification. “Preparations for the formal proclamation will begin within the week.”
Elise inclined her head in dismissal. When the door shut, she stood in the center of the room for a long moment, towel limp in her hands. She didn’t know if the council’s move was meant more to hurt Kai, or to rattle her — perhaps both.
Either way, it was working.
Training Grounds – Midmorning
Kai’s sword cut through the air with a precision that spoke less of training and more of someone trying to work through rage.
Sweat ran down his temple; his strikes landed harder than they needed to. When he caught sight of her, he lowered the blade, but his stance didn’t ease.
“You heard,” he said without greeting.
“I did,” Elise replied, stopping a few paces away. “The council moves quickly.”
“They move like vultures,” Kai said. “I told them no. Again. They didn’t even bother to argue this time — just smiled and told me I’d ‘come around.’”
She folded her arms. “And will you?”
The glare he shot her was immediate. “You think I would?”
“I think you underestimate how far they’ll go,” she said evenly, stepping closer. “They’re not offering you a choice. They’re drawing you into a trap, and if you let anger lead, you’ll walk straight into it.”
His laugh was humorless. “And what’s your advice, then? Stand still while they tie my hands? Pretend it doesn’t matter?”
“I’m telling you not to hand them more leverage than they already have.”
His jaw worked. “You always talk like this — like you’re the only one thinking three steps ahead. Do you ever consider that maybe I’m not as blind as you assume?”
Her temper flared. “And do you ever consider that pushing back the wrong way can destroy everything before we even have a chance to win?”
The air between them crackled — not the kind that led to closeness, but the kind that made every word sharp enough to cut.
Neither of them noticed the two figures standing under the shade of the archway across the grounds, their silhouettes framed by the pale light.
Under the Archway – Same Time
Becky’s hood was drawn low, but her eyes gleamed as she watched them. “They’re already cracking,” she murmured. “I barely need to lift a finger.”
Luka leaned casually against the stone pillar, arms crossed. “You still should. Small shove, right moment — the rest will fall on its own.”
She smirked. “And you’re sure you can get her where I want her?”
“I’ve done harder,” Luka said with a lazy shrug. “You just keep him busy.”
Her lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile. “Busy isn’t the word I’d use.”
From the training yard, Elise turned sharply, ending the exchange with Kai by walking away first. Kai’s gaze followed her for a beat before he returned to his practice, each swing carrying the weight of something unsaid.
Becky watched them both and exhaled with satisfaction. “They’re ready for the next step,” she said, more to herself than to Luka. “Time to start.”
Whitemoon – Late Afternoon
The day’s wind had shifted again, carrying the faint tang of rain. Elise found herself in the north quarter, the sounds of the market a distant hum. She wasn’t here for errands — she needed space from the palace walls and the tight coil in her chest.
But space had a way of inviting shadows. She caught the faint scrape of a boot behind her, too light to be a merchant and too deliberate to be an accident.
When she turned, Luka was there — smiling faintly, like he’d been expecting her. “You look like you could use company,” he said.
She didn’t return the smile. “If I wanted company, I’d have sought it out.”
“Sometimes,” he said, falling into step beside her anyway, “the best company is the kind you didn’t ask for.”
The unease that rippled through her was quiet but undeniable. And somewhere back at the palace, Becky would already be at work on her part of the plan.
Inner Courtyard – Same Time
Becky stood in the courtyard’s dappled light, speaking to a cluster of younger council aides. Her laugh — light, almost musical — carried easily in the air, a stark contrast to the frost between Elise and Kai moments ago.
When she saw Kai crossing the paving stones, she dismissed the aides with a gentle wave.
“You look like you’re carrying the weight of the city,” she said, tilting her head just enough to make the sunlight catch in her hair.
Kai’s brow creased. “I don’t have time for whatever you’re doing, Becky.”
“Whatever I’m doing?” she echoed, the corners of her lips curving with practiced innocence. “I’m trying to speak to a friend who looks… alone.”
“I’m not alone,” he said flatly.
“Then where is she?” Becky asked softly, stepping closer. “Because from here, it looks like she’s walking away from you more often than toward you.”
That landed — not because he believed her, but because the words brushed against the raw place left by his fight with Elise. Becky read it instantly, her expression shifting into something sympathetic. “You’ve always deserved someone who meets you halfway, Kai. Someone who sees you. Not someone who only sees the war in front of them.”
He exhaled sharply. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“And yet,” she murmured, lowering her voice, “you’re still standing here.”
Her gaze lingered on his for a heartbeat too long before she stepped back, letting the hook sink without tugging it yet. “We’ll talk again soon. The council will want it.”
North Quarter – Evening
Elise kept her pace steady beside Luka, though her unease hadn’t faded. “Are you following me for a reason, or is this just how you pass time?”
Luka smirked. “I thought you’d want to hear something before it spreads.”
“Which is?”
“That Kai was seen speaking with Becky for a while this afternoon.” He didn’t give her time to answer. “Close. Private. You know how quickly people read into that.”
Elise’s jaw tightened. “I know how people twist things that aren’t their business.”
“Maybe,” Luka said. “Or maybe they’re exactly as they seem.”
She stopped walking, turning to face him fully. “If you’re trying to stir something, find someone else.”
Luka only grinned, like a man pleased with how easily a spark had caught. “I don’t have to stir anything. You two are doing a fine job without me.”
Becky’s Chambers – Night
The chamber door clicked shut behind Becky, locking out the rest of the palace. Luka was already there, lounging in her chair as though he owned it.
“How did our players respond?” he asked.
Becky removed her cloak, her smile slow and deliberate. “He let me plant the first seed. She’s heard just enough to let it sprout.”
“Then we keep watering it,” Luka said, leaning back.
Becky’s gaze sharpened. “We won’t need to for long. They’re already fraying. All we have to do is make sure they’re facing the wrong direction when the real blow comes.”
The way she said it was almost casual — but her eyes held the cold certainty of someone who had already chosen exactly where to cut.
- Writer
