Ariane:
We gathered in the war room rather than the grand hall—an intimate, windowless chamber lined with bookshelves and ancient maps where no stray eyes or ears could find us.
The heavy oak table between us was scattered with candles, their flickering light throwing uneasy shadows across Kaelen’s grim face and the brooding cast of Varek’s.
I sat between them, clutching the notes I had made while we ate tightly in my hands.
Varek poured wine into three thick glass goblets. The ruby liquid caught the candlelight, gleaming like blood. Kaelen didn’t reach for his; neither did I.
It sat between us like a symbol—three untouched glasses and a future that felt far too heavy to discuss.
Kaelen leaned forward, elbows braced against the table, jaw taut. “Read it again. Slower, this time. We w
