MasukKaine’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
KaineI sit through three meetings and remember nothing from any of them. My mind keeps circling back to Ember’s face yesterday, the calm way she answered when I asked about Jasper. She didn’t deny his interest. She just brushed it aside, like it didn’t matter.But it does. It shouldn’t, but it does
KaineI sit at my desk, but I haven’t turned a page in ten minutes.Ember’s report is still open in front of me, marked in her neat handwriting. She’s underlined key entries, added margin notes where gaps in the records suggest something was altered or scrubbed. It’s sharp. Precise. Her work always
Bianca steps lightly along the corridor. The time is calculated, as is the location. Jasper often uses this hallway on his way from his meetings with his mother. The route is quiet, lightly trafficked, and easy to slip away from without drawing attention.She hears him before she sees him. His foots
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







