The palace was quiet under the pale glow of the moon. Most of the servants had retired, and the halls echoed only with the soft rustle of curtains and the distant whisper of water from the fountains. Yet Kael Ardyn could feel the tension pressing against every wall, every shadow.
He moved through the eastern corridor with deliberate steps, his senses alert. The events of the previous days had shown him that Raen’s reach extended far beyond what anyone suspected. Allies hid in plain sight, and even a single careless word could cost him dearly.
A soft rustle caught his attention. He turned sharply, hand instinctively on his dagger. From the shadows stepped Seris, holding a small lantern, her eyes shining with quiet determination.
“Kael,” she whispered, “I’ve been listening. There are plan
