Dagen POV
I didn’t have a choice. I had to tell her the truth and that it was Lyra.
Now we’re going to have to explain everything, how Maddox agreed to the plan at first but changed his mind, how he was drugged so they could move forward without him. She deserves to know all of it.
I glance from her to the rogues. They’re still on edge, still watching us like any wrong movement might be their excuse to finish what they started.
"Can they leave?" I ask, keeping my tone calm.
Her eyes narrow, and she takes a slow step forward. "Why? They won’t act without my order, Dagen. So what’s the issue with them being here?"
"Because we need to talk," I answer, choosing my words carefully. "And it’s hard to do that when your army is standing behind you, waiting to tear us apart over one wrong sentence."
She doesn’t respond right away. I can see the hesitation in her eyes. She’s weighing the risk, considering whether she trusts us even a little.
"Look, you want change. Fine. So do we," Rael says, s
