The royal courtyard was quiet—too quiet.
Nara stood alone beneath the ancient moon tree, its silver leaves whispering like ghostly voices. Her wedding robe, once so fine and embroidered with gold, now looked dull under the heavy night. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the amulet given to her by the Oracle. The storm inside her was louder than any thunder.
"She's here," whispered a voice behind her.
Prince Kael's sister, Princess Virella, stepped forward from the shadows. Her red eyes glowed with mischief and sorrow. "You shouldn't be alone tonight, little lamb," she said softly. "Especially not when the palace prepares for blood."
"What are you talking about?" Nara asked, her voice cracking.
Virella walked slowly in a circle around her. "There are whispers in the walls. The King has summoned the Shadow Blades. You know what that means, don't you?"
Nara shook her head.
Virella leaned close. "It means someone's about to die. And I don't think it will be my dear brother."
Nara's heart dropped. Since the marriage, she had been trying to understand Kael—the prince who seemed made of iron and smoke. He was cruel in his calm, cold in his affection, and yet… there were moments when his walls cracked. Like when he'd touched her hand during the Hunt of Flames. Or when he whispered her name in his sleep.
She'd hoped that meant something.
Now, Virella's words shattered that fragile hope.
Nara turned to run but stumbled. "I have to find Kael."
"He's already found you," came a deep voice from the darkness.
Kael stepped out, wearing black ceremonial armor, dark leather and obsidian pressed against his skin like a second shadow. His face held no softness tonight. Only steel.
"You disobeyed me again," he said.
"I only spoke to the Oracle," Nara whispered.
"She's forbidden."
"She said I was in danger!"
Kael raised a brow. "From me?"
Nara didn't answer. Her silence was a blade.
Behind Kael, the palace guards waited like statues, but not still. They were alive, ready, dangerous.
"Kael, what is happening?" she asked. "Are you planning to kill someone tonight?"
Kael walked closer, and for the first time in days, he looked vulnerable. "There are forces moving against the crown. And you—you've become a pawn for some of them."
"That's not true!"
"It doesn't matter what you believe," he said. "Tonight, you'll see for yourself."
***
They led her into the hidden war chamber beneath the palace. She had never been allowed here before. It was a hall of secrets—full of dark maps, enchanted blades, and the blood oath scrolls of former kings. This was where wars were started and finished.
Kael stood at the head of the table. Nara was placed beside him, surrounded by the King's elite.
"Why is she here?" one general growled.
"She's the future queen," Kael said. "She deserves to see what loyalty looks like."
Then the doors opened.
Two prisoners were dragged in—both cloaked, faces hidden. When the guards yanked their hoods down, Nara gasped.
Her nursemaid… and Lady Myrene, her cousin.
"Nara!" they both cried.
"They've been feeding your enemies secrets," Kael said coldly. "Both of them."
"No, please! They raised me!" Nara rushed forward.
"Exactly," Kael said. "Which is why their betrayal runs deeper."
"I don't believe it. Not without proof!"
Kael turned to her, eyes colder than the northern frost. "This is not a fairy tale. This is the court. And you need to learn—blood always pays the price for disobedience."
He drew his sword, and its black blade shimmered with dark runes.
Nara stepped between him and the prisoners. "Then kill me first."
Kael stopped. The entire chamber fell into silence.
"You would die for them?" he asked.
"I would die before I become like you," she whispered.
That struck him harder than a blade.
Then—chaos.
A smoke bomb exploded through the ceiling. Screams filled the air. Arrows rained down like silver death. The guards shouted, drawing weapons. From the shadows, masked figures descended—members of the banned Order of the Ember Veil.
And in the midst of the chaos, the nursemaid threw off her cloak and raised a glowing dagger.
"She was part of them!" one soldier yelled.
Kael moved like a storm, slicing through attackers. Nara dragged her cousin Myrene behind a pillar. Blood sprayed. Fire roared.
When it was over, the chamber was burning. Bodies lay in piles. Kael stood breathing hard, his armor soaked in blood, his eyes on Nara.
"You see now?" he said. "Trust is a knife."
Nara's legs gave out.
He caught her before she hit the ground.
***
Later that night, they sat in silence in the tower chamber. Kael hadn't changed clothes. His blood-soaked armor still clung to him.
"You were right," Nara whispered. "But you let me stand between your blade and your enemies. Why?"
He didn't answer immediately. Then, in a voice hoarse with exhaustion, he said, "Because you remind me that I still have a soul."
She looked up.
"I didn't want a bride," Kael continued. "I didn't want a queen. But you… you won't let me stay a monster."
Nara placed her hand gently over his.
"You're not a monster. Not yet."
Silence stretched between them.
Then, quietly, she added, "But if I am to survive here, Kael, you need to teach me how to be more than a pawn."
Kael turned to her fully.
And for the first time, he nodded.
"Then your lessons begin at dawn."
---