Elara’s POV
I should have known Lucien would not let it rest.
The fortress felt different after the infiltrator’s departure, tighter, as though every corridor carried whispers. Warriors moved with heightened alertness, council members remained cloistered in shadowed chambers, and Kael had not returned to my side since leaving the balcony.
I told myself that did not matter.
I was wrong.
I had just turned into the east wing when I felt him behind me.
“You walk as if hunted,” Lucien said mildly.
I did not startle this time.
“I walk as if watched,” I replied.
He stepped into view slowly, hands clasped loosely behind his back. He wore dark clothing tonight, no council cloak, no formal authority, only quiet intelligence in his gray eyes.
“Observation is not the same as threat,” he said
