Blood and Vows

Shadows Of Betrayal

The wind howled through the valley as Kael tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. The scent of rain lingered in the air, mixing with the distant stench of blood. The battle was coming—he could feel it in his bones. Every nerve in his body was on edge, the anticipation stretching taut like a bowstring ready to snap.

Selene stood beside him, her sharp gaze scanning the dense treeline ahead. She had been unnaturally quiet since they arrived at the meeting point, her arms crossed over her chest.

“They’re late,” she muttered, her voice barely audible over the whispering leaves.

“They’ll come,” Kael replied, though he wasn’t entirely sure if he was reassuring her or himself.

Lena had promised to meet them here, bringing crucial intelligence on Edric’s latest movements. She had been working in the shadows for weeks, feeding them bits and pieces of information while carefully maintaining her double life. But the longer they waited, the more uneasy Kael became. Something wasn’t right.

Selene must have sensed it too because her fingers twitched near the hilt of her dagger. “She wouldn’t be this late unless something happened.”

A rustling sound echoed through the underbrush. Kael and Selene turned at the same time, hands on their weapons.

A lone figure emerged from the shadows, hood drawn low, steps cautious.

Lena.

Her cloak was damp with morning dew, her usually confident stride replaced by something more hesitant. Her face was pale, and there was something else—a tightness in her expression, a flicker of something in her eyes. Fear? Guilt?

“You’re late,” Selene said coldly.

Lena exhaled sharply. “Things are worse than we thought.”

Kael’s jaw clenched. “How bad?”

Lena glanced around, as if making sure they were alone, then took a step closer. “Edric knows,” she whispered.

The words sent a chill down Kael’s spine. “Knows what?”

Lena’s throat bobbed as she swallowed. “Everything.”

Silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating.

“How?” Selene demanded, her voice like steel.

“I don’t know,” Lena admitted. “But Edric has moved his forces. He’s preparing for something.”

Kael exchanged a glance with Selene. If Edric knew about their alliance, about their growing army, then they were already at a disadvantage.

Selene stepped forward. “And what exactly did you tell him?”

Lena flinched at the accusation. “You think I betrayed you?”

Selene’s hand hovered over her dagger. “I think it’s suspicious that you’re alive when you should be dead.”

Kael raised a hand before things escalated. “Enough. We don’t have time for this.” He turned to Lena. “Do you have any proof that Edric knows?”

Lena hesitated, then reached into her cloak. She pulled out a small rolled parchment and handed it to Kael. He unrolled it carefully, his eyes scanning the words. It was a message, hastily written, but the meaning was clear:

The prince is gathering his army. End him before he rises.

Kael’s stomach tightened. There was no doubt about it now.

Selene snatched the parchment and read it over Kael’s shoulder. “Then we strike first,” she said.

Kael hesitated. Charging in without a plan would be suicide. But waiting could mean the end of their rebellion before it even began.

Lena’s gaze flickered. “There’s more,” she said. “Edric isn’t just moving troops—he’s setting a trap.”

Kael stiffened. “For us?”

Lena nodded. “He knows you’re planning to meet with the northern clans. He’s sending assassins to intercept you.”

Selene’s lip curled. “Let them try.”

“No,” Kael said firmly. “We don’t walk into traps. We set them.”

Hours Later - The Ambush

The plan was set. Kael and Selene would ride ahead, making it seem as though they were falling for Edric’s ploy. Meanwhile, Lena would lead a group of warriors through the eastern ridge, cutting off the assassins before they had the chance to strike.

The moon hung high in the sky as Kael and Selene rode through the narrow valley. The ground was damp from the earlier rain, making the horses’ hooves silent against the earth.

“Do you trust her?” Selene asked suddenly.

Kael glanced at her. “Lena?”

Selene nodded.

Kael sighed. “I want to.”

Selene scoffed. “Wanting and knowing are different things.”

Before Kael could respond, an arrow whistled through the air. He barely had time to react before Selene shoved him off his horse. He hit the ground hard, rolling into the underbrush.

Another arrow struck where he had been moments ago.

Selene had already drawn her blade, her body poised for battle. From the trees, figures in dark armor descended like shadows, their movements swift and silent.

Assassins.

Kael pushed himself up, drawing his sword just as the first attacker lunged. Their blades clashed, the force rattling through his bones.

Selene moved like a phantom, her dagger slashing through one assassin’s throat before whirling to block another’s strike.

Kael fought with everything he had, his body moving on instinct. His enemies were well-trained, but so was he.

Steel met steel, the night filled with the sounds of battle.

Then, a horn blew in the distance.

Reinforcements.

For a moment, Kael thought they were doomed. Then, from the ridge above, a rain of arrows descended upon their attackers.

Lena’s forces had arrived.

The assassins faltered, realizing they had been outmaneuvered. Some fled into the night, while others fell beneath the blades of Kael and Selene.

When the last body hit the ground, Kael exhaled, chest heaving.

Selene wiped her blade clean. “That was sloppy.”

Kael let out a breathless laugh. “We’re alive, aren’t we?”

Lena approached, her expression unreadable. “It’s not over.”

Kael frowned. “What do you mean?”

Lena hesitated. “This wasn’t the real attack.”

Selene narrowed her eyes. “Explain.”

Lena looked at them both, then said the words that sent a fresh wave of dread through Kael’s heart.

“Edric is already marching on the Xiatl lands.”