로그인Irene's POV
The sun was sinking below the treeline when I made my way back toward camp.
Irene's POVI couldn't let go of them.My arms stayed locked around their small bodies. Holding them so tight I could feel their heartbeats against my chest. Two little drums pounding in perfect rhythm.Alive. They were alive. And now they knew I was too.
Irene's POVThe sun was sinking below the treeline when I made my way back toward camp.I kept to the shadows. Moved slow and careful. The concealment cloak masked my scent, but I couldn't risk being seen. Not yet. Not until the elders were ready. Not until we had a plan.But I needed to see them.
Irene's POVKen's words hit me like a punch to the gut."Defensive blueprints," I repeated. My voice hollow. "How much did she get?""Enough." Ken's jaw was tight. "The eastern wall fortifications. The underground tunnel system. The locations of our emergency supply caches." He paused. "She's been feeding them information for weeks, Princess. Maybe longer."
Karson's POVThe hairpin was cold in my hand.Ice cold. Like it had been sitting in snow despite the morning warmth. My fingertips had gone numb from clutching it so tight for so long.I couldn't let it go. Couldn't put it down. Like releasing it would make everything disappear. Would prove this was just another cruel dream.
Irene's POVI tracked Ken through the forest for over an hour.He'd left camp shortly after the confrontation in the center square. Told the other guards he was doing a perimeter sweep. Checking the outer boundaries for signs of intrusion.But I knew better. Ken was looking for me.
Irene's POVDawn broke over the camp.I'd stayed hidden all night. Watching. Waiting. The concealment cloak wrapped tight around me as I crouched in the shadows beyond the perimeter.My legs had gone numb hours ago from staying in the same position. My back ached. But I hadn't moved. Hadn't risked giving myself away.
IRENE
IRENE My ears rang at her words, jaw hung loose as I stared with my heart palpating in my chest. She was shivering, hugging her arms as the forbidden words spilled from her mouth. No one blinked. No one moved a muscle. The fear in her voice worsened the tension in the room and in her eyes, I saw
IRENE
IRENEI felt stupid as he explained. Not just because my ass with his hand print was still in the air, but because of how I had acted.He didn't cheat. He did nothing wrong.That hurt more than any spanking.“Where did you sleep last night?” I







