LOGINKaine’s POVMy mind is racing so fast that I can barely cling to a single thought before ten more shove it out of the way. It’s all too loud, too complicated.What the fuck am I supposed to do?Things have never been good between my stepmother and I, but I never dreamed that it would escalate to thi
The chatter in the room grows as everyone stops addressing the King directly and talks among themselves about the Prince. Now that the evidence has been disproven, everyone feels confident enough to voice their doubts based on what they know about Kaine’s personality.My eyes focus on the Queen who,
“Ember?” the King prompts again.I have no idea why he’s putting so much faith in me. I didn’t expect the other guard’s word to matter that much to him, but he asked me for my opinion before the actual Scribe who was assigned the job.It doesn’t feel like I’m a suspect scrambling for survival anymor
The King stares at us, supposedly trying to make up his mind about if he’ll allow it or not. I refuse to look too eager and solidify my expression into a blank one.Before he can speak, there’s another voice that comes from my side. “I’ll vow for her as well!”“And me!”After about twenty guards voi
Royal law states that all matters like inspection must be done in public. So, even though the Court was technically in recess, no one moved a muscle to take a break. Everyone wants to see how this is going to play out.A show for their consumption.The energy in the room was so heavy that it was nea
“Prince Kaine, you truly had no idea of the suspicions of Laramie Bell before he was arrested?” the King asks, doubt lacing his tone.“Truly, Father, My King, I swear to you that I had no idea that Mr. Bell was even under the Crown’s suspicion.”The King opens his mouth to say more, but the Queen in
EmberArguing with Nara is beginning to become part of my morning routine. “He is not Robert. He is not Daniel. His respect in your capabilities as a guard should tell you that.”There is a difference between accepting a female guard and being mated to one. He said himself Bianca is the only one he
I wake up for the first time in a long time to no pain in my mark. The potion is helping, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face at having bought myself more time. I know that I am not entirely out of the woods, the weaker potion means that I will still be susceptible to Prince Kaine
KaineThe courtyard is unusually quiet. A fine layer of frost clings to the edges of the garden stones signalling the approaching winter. I pace the outer ring slowly, trying to let the cold numb me from the outside in. It doesn’t work.I’ve come here hoping for silence, for clarity.Instead, I get
Routine helps. Or at least it should. I throw myself into it anyway.I wake before dawn, eat quickly, and lose myself in drills. I revise the guard logs and walk patrol routes I’ve already cleared. I recheck the reports we’ve compiled on Lady Chantarelle and review the known holdings tied to the est







