Aria’s POV
Cassian had worn the guise of a trusted patrol leader inside Kael's kingdom for nearly a year, feeding Magnus small, careful pieces of information without ever raising suspicion. It had been easy work, mostly — a kingdom too focused on prophecy and bloodlines to look closely at the men guarding its borders.
That ease had started to crack the moment he learned what Magnus actually intended once the seal broke.
He found the proof by accident, intercepting a message meant for another courier, written in Magnus's own hand this time instead of relayed through safer channels. The words were plain enough that even Cassian, who'd spent years telling himself Magnus's plan was simply about power, couldn't pretend not to understand them.
Once the source is claimed, eliminate every loo
