Kaelira had officially decided the royal palace was terrifying. Not because of the guards, not because of the endless black stone corridors or the suffocating silence surrounding the royal wing but because every passing minute inside Kael’s chambers felt like standing in the middle of a secret capable of destroying kingdoms. Especially now that the emperor suspected something.
Kael had been gone for nearly an hour and despite trying to appear calm, Kaelira had spent most of that hour pacing near the tall windows overlooking the palace gardens. Her thoughts only worsened with time. What if Aldric already knew? What if someone had seen her enter the palace? What if—
A knock suddenly echoed against the chamber doors. Kaelira froze instantly. Her pulse quickened as she turned toward the entr
