로그인Chapter 122Lilith POVI was lying against Cassian's chest when I began to feel sleepy.His arm was around my waist, and his fingers moved gently along my back. It had been a long day, and neither of us had said much since we returned to our chambers.For once, we weren't talking about the investigation or the attacks.I was enjoying the quiet."You're unusually quiet," Cassian said."I'm tired.""Then sleep."I looked up at him. "You make it sound so easy."He smiled and kissed my forehead. "It is. Close your eyes."I did, and he pulled me a little closer.I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, I was standing in a dark place. I couldn't see much, but I could feel something approaching me.I turned to look, but there was nothing.Then I felt a strange pressure in my chest. I knew something was wrong. I tried to move away, but the feeling followed me.A faint light appeared around my hands.Before I could understand what was happening, I heard a voice."It's coming."
Cassian stared at the report Brandon had placed on his desk.The man they had hoped would answer their questions was dead. Someone had entered his residence, killed him, and removed whatever information he had kept about the night Cassian's father died."Whoever did this knew we were coming," Brandon said.Cassian put the report down."Did you find anything?""Not much. His study had been searched, and several documents were missing. But we found something beneath the floorboards."Brandon placed a small envelope on the desk.Cassian opened it and removed a folded piece of paper. There was a name written on it.Tobias Renn.Below the name was an address near the northern border."Do you know him?" Cassian asked.Edric Vale, who had been standing by the window, turned around."I do."Cassian looked at him."Who is he?""Tobias was a royal record keeper during your father's reign. He was also one of the few people your father trusted with sensitive information. He disappeared shortly af
Chapter 120Cassian's POVThe first thing I noticed when we reached East Ridge was the open gate.The watchtower stood beyond it, but there were no guards at the entrance. Two torches had been knocked to the ground, and one of the wooden barriers had been broken.I dismounted."Brandon, take the eastern path with six men. Check the surrounding area. I want to know if anyone escaped through there."He nodded and signalled to the warriors.I turned to the remaining guards."Nobody enters the tower until we've checked the perimeter.""Yes, Your Majesty."Lilith dismounted beside me."Do you think they attacked the tower?""Most likely."I drew my sword and approached the entrance. The door was open, and there were signs of a struggle inside.A broken spear lay near the wall. One of the wooden benches had been overturned, and blood marked the floor.I crouched beside it."Fresh?" Lilith asked.I touched the edge of the stain."Not more than a few hours."We moved further inside.The main
Chapter 118Cassian's POVWe were halfway to the East Ridge when the first signal came. Three whistles sounded from somewhere ahead. I raised my hand, and the warriors behind me stopped immediately.Brandon moved closer."That's our signal," he said. "Someone has reached the watchtower.""Or someone wants us to think they have." I looked at Lilith, she was riding beside me, her attention fixed on the narrow path ahead."Stay close," I told her."I am close.""Closer than that." She gave me a brief look but moved her horse nearer to mine.Brandon shook his head. "Can we concentrate on the people who are trying to kill us before the two of you start arguing?""Keep talking, Brandon," I replied. "I'll find you something useful to do." He gave a short laugh. Then, we continued towards the watchtower.When we reached the ridge, I saw one of our warriors lying beside the path. Two others were crouched behind a fallen tree, watching the tower.I dismounted. "What happened?"One of them stoo
Chapter 118 Cassian's POV The message was waiting for me when we returned to the Keep. Brandon handed it to me before I had even removed my coat. It was a small piece of paper, folded twice, with no seal or name attached to it. "Where did this come from?" I asked. "One of the border guards found it outside the western gate. It was addressed to you." I unfolded it. You have been looking in the wrong direction, King. Your people are paying for the questions you keep asking. If you want the prisoners returned alive, come to the old boundary crossing before sunrise. Come alone. I read it twice before handing it to Brandon. "They know we're investigating something," I said. "Or they've been watching us closely enough to work it out." "Either way, they know where to strike." Brandon studied the message. "The attacks on the southern village and the training grounds were too well coordinated to be random. Whoever these men are, they know our territory." "And they kn
Chapter 117Cassian POVThe southern village was in a terrible state when we arrived.Several houses had been damaged, and smoke was rising from a building near the village square. Warriors were helping the injured while others searched the surrounding area for anyone who might still be trapped.I dismounted and handed my horse to one of the guards."Where is the commander?""Over there, Your Majesty."I followed his direction.A group of warriors stood near a damaged building. Their commander was speaking to a healer, who was examining a wounded man.When he saw me, he immediately approached."Your Majesty.""Report.""We were caught off guard. The attackers entered through the eastern road and split into smaller groups. Some went towards the houses while the others moved towards the main square.""Why weren't they stopped?""We tried, but they had already surrounded the village before our men realised what was happening.""How many?""Approximately thirty-five.""Where are they now?







