Lucian
I stood at the center of the war room, the heavy oak table between Idris, Lena, and me. The castle was quiet, unnervingly so, as if it too was holding its breath, waiting for the hammer to fall.
Daniel.
The name tasted like ash in my mouth.
The man had stood at my side through blood and betrayal, through victories and losses. He had bled for this kingdom — or so I thought. Now, he was the hidden dagger aimed at our backs.
“We move carefully,” I said, my voice low and sharp. “We cannot afford mistakes.”
Lena nodded grimly, arms crossed over her chest. “He’s cautious. If he senses anything, he’ll bolt.”
Idris leaned over the map laid out across the table. He tapped a spot near the old servant’s passageways. “Daniel’s patrols take him near the eastern corridor every third night
