The morning mist was thick, clinging to the ancient trees of the Forbidden Forest like a cold, gray shroud. Kaia moved quickly, her feet silent on the damp earth. The leather pouch of gold Alaric had given her felt heavy against her side—a weight that reminded her of the man she had left behind.
She shouldn't have felt this way. She was a soldier of the rebellion, a daughter of House Valerius. She should have been celebrating her escape. Instead, every step away from the castle felt like a betrayal.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the air. Kaia froze, her hand instinctively going to the small dagger she had hidden in her boot.
"The wolf has finally left the den," a voice called out from the shadows.
A tall man with a scarred face stepped out from behind a massive oak tree. It was Silas, her father's second-in-command and the man who had trained her for this mission.
"Silas," Kaia exhaled, her heart pounding. "How did you find me?"
"We have eyes everywhere, Kaia," Silas said, his gaze narrowing as he looked at her royal cloak. "The palace is in chaos. They say the King's guard escaped. But I see you're wearing the enemy's colors. Did the King himself let you go, or did you have to spill blood for your freedom?"
Kaia hesitated. If she told him the truth—that Alaric had saved her—Silas would see it as a weakness. "I did what I had to do," she said, her voice turning cold.
"Good," Silas grunted, stepping closer. "Because the rebellion is ready. The Northern lords have gathered their armies. They were waiting for your signal. With the information you've gathered from inside the palace, we can strike at the heart of the kingdom. We can end the line of Alaric forever."
The words felt like a dagger to Kaia's chest. For years, this was all she had wanted. But now, the thought of Alaric's blood on the marble floor made her feel sick.
"I need time, Silas," Kaia said, her voice wavering. "The palace is on high alert. We cannot strike yet."
Silas looked at her for a long moment, his eyes filled with suspicion. "You've been inside those golden walls too long, Kaia. Don't forget who you are. You are the daughter of the man they murdered. You are the spark that will burn this kingdom to the ground."
As Silas turned to lead her deeper into the forest, Kaia looked back toward the distant towers of the castle. She was caught between two worlds, and soon, she would have to choose which one she would destroy