Kael
moved before anyone else could even blink.
The shadows at his feet snapped upward, condensing into a barrier that absorbed the rune arrow with a burst of crackling light. Energy splashed against the walls, marble scorched, nobles screamed and ducked.
When the smoke cleared, Kael held the splintered remains of the arrow in his hand. His gaze was sharp, breath controlled, eyes bright with cold fury.
"That was spelled to kill," he muttered.
Lyra's pulse hammered. "Someone tried to assassinate me before I even arrived?"
Kael looked at her, expression unreadable. "No. That arrow wasn't aimed at you. It was meant to provoke me."
Before she could ask what that meant, a soft metallic chime echoed through the hall. Kael stiffened.
"Inner wards breached," he said under his breath.
"Inner what—?"
Kael didn't explain — he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down a side corridor. His grip was warm, steady, authoritative.
"Don't fall behind," he warned, voice low. "If the wards fall, the palace becomes a hunting ground."
"For what? For who?"
"For me."
They burst into a chamber filled with crystalline screens and glowing runes. Scholars and mages worked frantically, chanting counterspells, scribbling notes.
One of them bowed. "Your Highness—"
"How many breaches?" Kael cut in.
"Three confirmed. One in the west wing—"
A blast shook the walls. Dust rained down. Lyra staggered, but Kael didn't release her until she regained her footing.
Another mage paled. "Your Highness, the assassins are heading toward the bridal quarters."
Kael froze.
Lyra blinked. "The… bridal quarters?"
Kael's voice went quiet. "Your future chambers."
Before she processed that, another explosion hit. The screens flickered, showing the silhouette of a masked assassin darting through broken wards.
Kael's shadows surged protectively around Lyra without him even looking at her.
"We need to move," he said.
"But shouldn't we—"
"You need to be secured first." His tone left no room for argument. "Then I deal with the palace."
He led her through twisting corridors until they reached a guarded wing. The heavy doors opened into a spacious chamber — high ceilings, rich curtains, a carved bed, a balcony overlooking the courtyard.
This was where she would sleep. Live. Be watched.
Lyra stood still, suddenly aware of how far from home she truly was.
Kael closed the door behind them. The noises of ward breaches and shouting mages faded into distant echoes.
For the first time since arriving, there was silence.
Kael faced her, shadows retreating into the stone beneath him.
"You were not the target of that arrow," he said quietly. "You were the bait."
Lyra's breath caught. "Bait for what?"
"For proof." Kael removed his gloves, revealing faint silver rings circling his irises as he looked at her. "Proof that I am losing control."
Lyra expected him to look proud or arrogant. He didn't. He looked tired. Wary.
"My curse kills things," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "Not always in ways people understand. Not always in ways I choose."
She didn't step back. "Is that why they fear you?"
His smirk held no humor. "Fear is a generous word."
He walked to the balcony, pushing the curtains aside. "Your father agreed to this marriage for protection. He did not know what he was sending you into."
Lyra swallowed. "Then tell me. What am I being sent into?"
Kael turned from the window.
"Marrying into this family does not make you a princess," he said. "It makes you a target."
Before Lyra responded, someone knocked sharply on the door.
Kael opened it slightly. A guard bowed.
"Your Highness. The Emperor summons you at once."
Kael's jaw tightened — not in defiance, but in resignation. "Tell him we are coming."
The guard nodded and disappeared.
Kael turned back to Lyra. "Change into something less formal. The Emperor prefers not to deal with fragile-looking glass ornaments."
Lyra lifted her chin. "I am not fragile."
Kael's eyes glinted — not mocking, more… assessing.
"We will see."
He stepped out of the room, shadows trailing like obedient smoke. "A maid will arrive shortly. Do not open the door for anyone else."
The door shut.
Lyra finally exhaled, staring at the lavish room that suddenly felt much smaller than it looked.
Somewhere in this palace lurked assassins, cursed shadows, and an Emperor who wanted to see her.
She wasn't sure which frightened her more.