Isla Calloway had spent her life preparing for battle.
But she had never expected the enemy to be her own blood.
She sat in her room, staring at the message still glowing on her phone screen.
New Orders: Stand Down.
With one decision, she had defied the Kingmaker.
With one order, she had saved Lucas Reyes.
And now?
Now she had to deal with the consequences.
A sharp knock on the door shattered the silence.
Then—before she could even react—
The door swung open.
And standing there, his dark eyes burning with quiet fury, was her father.
The Kingmaker.
The room felt smaller, heavier, as the Kingmaker stepped inside.
The door clicked shut behind him, sealing them inside.
Sealing her fate.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
He simply studied her, his face unreadable.
Then—softl
