Chapter 7:The Ghost Prince's game
1238 Words
The council chamber hummed with low voices, unease threading through every whispered word. News of the Nightshade assassin’s failed attempt had already reached every corner of Lucien’s fortress. And with Serena’s successful trial in the Moonblood Hall, the balance of power had shifted.
She was no longer just a symbol.
She was a force.
Serena stood beside Lucien at the head of the stone table, her presence radiant and commanding. The faint glow of the Moonblood mark shimmered along her skin, a constant reminder of her legacy—and her danger.
“I want names,” Serena said, her voice cutting through the murmurs. “The assassin didn’t come alone. He had help, possibly from within.”
Ronan leaned forward, fists on the table. “We believe a courier was intercepted on the border. Someone sent a message to the Nightshade Coven three nights ago.”
“And you suspect Jace,” Lucien said bluntly.
Jace stood at the far end of the table, arms crossed, his dark hair falling over one eye. His smile was cool. “Of course you do. Because it’s always easy to blame the bastard prince.”
“You’re Kael’s blood,” Ronan growled. “You’ve played both sides since the war began.”
“And yet,” Jace replied, taking a lazy step forward, “I’ve done more for this court in one week than your spies have in three months.”
Lucien’s eyes narrowed. “Why are you really here, Jace?”
A beat of silence.
Then Jace looked at Serena.
“I came because I owe her. Not you.”
Serena’s eyes widened slightly. “Owe me?”
Jace smiled again, this time more softly. “You probably don’t remember. You were seven. Kael was eleven. He had found a wounded pup in the woods and was planning to kill it to prove he wasn’t weak.”
Serena flinched. “I remember the pup. I told him not to.”
“You screamed at him,” Jace said. “Told him the Moon Goddess would curse him. And Kael raised a hand to strike you. But before he could—” Jace paused, voice lower, “—I stepped in.”
“You fought him?” Serena asked.
“I bit him,” Jace admitted with a shrug. “He broke my arm in return. I still remember your face—you were terrified, but you stood your ground. Even then. I’ve never forgotten that.”
Lucien watched them carefully. “Touching. But a childhood memory doesn’t make you loyal now.”
Jace’s gaze snapped to Lucien. “I don’t care what you think of me, Your Majesty. I care what she thinks.”
Serena crossed her arms. “Then prove your loyalty.”
Jace raised a brow. “How?”
“Take me to the Nightshade border,” she said. “In disguise. Let me see what Kael and Calista are planning.”
Lucien turned sharply. “No.”
“Lucien—”
“No,” he said again, eyes dark. “You just survived an assassination attempt, and now you want to walk into enemy territory with the Ghost Prince?”
Jace chuckled. “You’re lucky she’s braver than you, King.”
Lucien’s fists slammed the table. “Say that again.”
“Lucien,” Serena said firmly. “Stop.”
The room fell quiet.
She turned to Lucien. “This is my fight too. I need to see what we’re up against. Hiding behind castle walls will not make me a queen.”
Lucien stared at her, fury flickering behind his eyes—but he saw her determination. The same fire she’d carried through the trial now glowed from within her.
He exhaled, tightly.
“Fine. But Nyra and Ilya go with you.”
Serena nodded. “Agreed.”
“And Jace,” Lucien said, eyes sharp, “if anything happens to her...”
Jace’s smirk faded. “I’ll die before I let her bleed.”
---
Later That Night – Serena’s Quarters
Serena stood by the arched window, gazing out at the moonlit valley. The stars shimmered like frost across the night sky. She felt Lucien’s presence before he spoke.
“You’re really going, then.”
She turned, eyes softer now. “Yes.”
Lucien leaned against the doorway, arms folded. “You’re stubborn.”
She smiled faintly. “You’re one to talk.”
He crossed the room slowly. “It’s not just the danger. It’s him. Jace. I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t either,” Serena said honestly. “But I trust myself.”
Lucien stopped a breath away. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t.”
He reached out, brushing a curl from her cheek. “I’ve fought a hundred wars. But you—you're the first thing I’ve ever been afraid to lose.”
Serena leaned into his touch. “Then don’t cage me. Walk beside me.”
Lucien’s throat worked as he swallowed hard. “Always.”
They stood there in silence, the moon painting their shadows across the stone floor, hearts thrumming like battle drums between them.
---
Two Days Later – Near the Nightshade Border
The forest was darker here. Colder. Even the air tasted different—tainted with magic and decay.
Serena rode beside Jace, wearing a hooded cloak dyed in forest moss to mask her scent. Nyra and Ilya flanked them from behind, alert, weapons hidden but within reach.
“This place stinks,” Ilya muttered.
“Witch territory,” Nyra said grimly. “It always does.”
Jace pulled his horse to a stop near a crag of stone. “Beyond this ridge lies the first of Kael’s outposts. They won’t recognize me—he’s erased all trace of me from their ranks. But they’ll sense Serena if we get too close.”
Serena dismounted. “Then we don’t go closer. We observe.”
Nyra scouted ahead while Ilya remained behind to guard. Jace and Serena crouched behind thick foliage, eyes fixed on the structure rising in the distance—a black stone tower, pulsing faintly with sigils.
Jace pointed to the flags. “Those are Nightshade runes. Calista’s influence is growing. Kael’s given her the southern lands in exchange for her seers and blood magic.”
Serena frowned. “Then he’s sacrificing his own territory for a weapon he doesn’t understand.”
“Exactly,” Jace said. “Which makes him dangerous. And desperate.”
They watched as several soldiers emerged from the tower—each clad in dark armor, their eyes rimmed in shadow.
“What’s that on their arms?” Serena asked.
Jace narrowed his eyes. “Blood-binding runes. They’ve been enchanted.”
“To do what?”
“To obey. Without question. Calista’s rewriting their minds.”
Serena’s blood turned to ice.
---
As the group turned to leave, Serena paused. A whisper floated across the trees.
Serena…
She spun.
Nothing.
Just forest.
She stepped away from the group, deeper into the trees.
“Serena?” Jace called. “What are you—?”
Serena… come home…
A silver wisp danced before her eyes—then vanished.
“Did you see that?” she whispered.
Jace moved beside her, brow furrowed. “No. What did you see?”
“I—I’m not sure.”
She felt it again. A presence.
Watching.
Waiting.
Calling.
——
- Writer
