The palace felt quieter near dawn. Most of the royal wing still slept beneath shadows and silence while pale night light slowly crept across the marble corridors. Guards moved less frequently at this hour, which was exactly why Kael had chosen it. It was safer now. There was less attention now but still, the tension in him hadn’t eased once.
Kaelira stood near the hidden side entrance beneath a dark cloak borrowed from him, the hood shadowing most of her face while Kael checked the corridor one final time.
“No guards beyond the western staircase,” he murmured quietly. “Once we cross the gardens, the outer gate opens directly into the lower district.”
Kaelira watched him carefully. He’d been like this ever since Ronan left the chambers earlier. On guard, more alert as if every shadow ins
