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
Prince Kaine breaks the silence first. “Has Jasper approached you again?”The question lands like a stone in still water. His tone is neutral, but the tension behind it is hard to miss.I keep my voice even. “A few times.”“And?”“He’s persistent. But harmless.”“That’s not how I’d describe him.”I
KaineI wake before dawn, unsettled.The palace is quiet at this hour, but Rafe isn’t. He’s pacing beneath the surface, that low thrumming restlessness bleeding into me whether I want it or not. I roll my shoulders, trying to shake him off, but it doesn’t work. I already know why he’s irritated. Why
EmberI feel the familiar spike of Nara’s irritation as I get ready for my day. Arguing with Nara before the sun has risen has become my new normal.“You need to talk to him.” Nara’s voice penetrates through my thoughts and I can’t help but sigh.“I do talk to him,” I mutter aloud, pulling my hair i
Work is the only thing that makes sense right now.Prince Kaine’s shifting moods, Jasper’s advances, the unspoken weight of everything between us, it’s all too much. The only place I feel steady is in motion, buried in logistics, guard rotations, intel.So I stay in motion.I go over everything we’v







