The flickering glow of the candlelight cast long shadows along the walls of Lila Drake’s chamber. She sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clasped tightly together, her knuckles white. Sleep had long abandoned her—how could she rest, knowing that Calen was walking straight into a trap?A soft knock at the door made her tense.She turned swiftly, her heart hammering in her chest.“Come in,” bisiknya.The door creaked open, revealing a figure slipping into the room. It was one of her trusted servants—a young maid named Mira. But tonight, the girl looked ashen-faced, her breathing ragged, and her hands trembled as she shut the door behind her.Lila instantly knew something was wrong.“Mira,” she said urgently, rising to her feet. “What is it?”The girl’s lips parted, but for a moment, no words came out. Her entire body shook as she wrung her hands together.“My Lady,” she finally gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. “I—I saw something horrible.”Lila grabbed her shoulders, steadyin

As the grand gates of Rivermoore loomed ahead, Calen Storm straightened in his saddle. The towering iron and stone structure, etched with intricate Vynorian sigils, was an imposing sight. He could feel the tension in the air—an invisible weight pressing against him and his men as they approached.Unlike their last encounter, the gates did not remain stubbornly closed. This time, they groaned open, the heavy iron mechanisms grinding against one another as if reluctant to grant him passage. It was a silent yet undeniable acknowledgment of his presence.The streets beyond were lined with civilians—merchants, blacksmiths, scholars, and nobles alike—drawn from their homes and businesses by rumors of his arrival. Their eyes, dark with unease, followed every movement of the delegation. Some whispered behind their hands, while others stared outright, their gazes filled with a mixture of fear and resentment.Calen could not blame them. He was an envoy of their enemy. More than that, he was a w

The room pulsed with tension, thick as a brewing storm. The candlelight flickered, casting elongated shadows on the stone walls, as Calen met Queen Elara’s seething gaze with unwavering calm.“I am sorry, Your Majesty,” he said, his voice even yet sincere. “And I thank you… for sparing my life that night.”Elara’s lips curled into a bitter smirk.“Do not mistake mercy for kindness, General Storm,” she retorted. “I only let you live because you saved me from that assassin. And now I see—” her voice hardened “—that was my greatest mistake.”She took a measured step closer, her every movement graceful yet deadly, like a panther closing in on its prey.“I should have killed you then,” she said coldly.Calen inhaled slowly. He had anticipated her anger, but now, faced with the raw fury in her eyes, he realized that her hatred burned far deeper t

The grand war chamber of Ardenfell was dimly lit by flickering torches mounted on towering stone pillars. A massive oak table dominated the center of the room, maps and documents scattered across its polished surface. At the head of the table sat King Ryan Ashford, his sharp blue eyes gleaming under the golden glow of candlelight.General Thaddeus Ironheart entered the chamber with a steady stride, his heavy boots echoing against the marble floor. He bowed briefly before straightening to his full height.“My King, I bring news from Rivermoore.”The King leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. “Go on.”Ironheart took a deep breath before speaking. “Queen Elara Wynn has not given a direct answer. Instead, she has requested that General Storm remain in Rivermoore while she deliberates.”King Ashford exhaled through his nose, a small smirk curling on his lips. “Good.”Ironheart ra

Elara tilted her head slightly, watching him with sharp, calculating eyes. “You say that King Ryan Ashford seeks unity,” she repeated, her voice measured. “But does he seek unity for the good of the people, or for the good of his own ambitions?”Calen met her gaze evenly. "He is a ruler who understands the weight of a kingdom’s survival. He knows that Aerondale cannot stand alone, nor can Rivermoore. He believes that the only way forward is together."Elara’s lips curled into a half-smile, though it did not quite reach her eyes. “You are a skilled diplomat, General Storm. But that does not answer my question.”Calen exhaled quietly. He knew she was pressing him, testing him, searching for a crack in his words.“King Ryan Ashford is a just ruler,” he said finally. “He values his people, and he does what is necessary to protect them. If he did not, Aerondale would not have flourished under hi