POV: Nyxara
I found Kael in the armory before dawn, sharpening blades by candlelight. The silver in his eyes caught the flame as he looked up at me.
"Can't sleep?" he asked, not stopping his work.
"Project Moonfall." I stepped closer, watching his reaction. "What is it?"
The whetstone stopped moving. For three heartbeats, he said nothing. Then he set down the blade with careful precision.
"Where did you hear that name?"
"Someone left me a message. They said my mother knew the truth." I pulled out the piece of wood I'd carved the words into, proof I hadn't imagined it. "You know something. I can see it in your face."
Kael stood, and the sheer size of him made me take a step back. But he didn't move closer. Instead, he walked to the door and locked it.
"What I'm about to tell you doe
