“I will address it.”Jake shifts his weight but does not leave.“You’ve already reviewed the incident report from the mission,” he says. “but it seems like someone gave him an advantage whether they meant to or not.”“I am aware.”Jake nods once more. “Let me know if you need help.”He leaves withou
KaineBianca waits outside the training hall. Her posture is relaxed, almost casual, but her eyes scan my face the moment I step through the doorway.“I just finished my politics session,” she says brightly. “My tutor thinks I’m making progress. He mentioned I might be ready to sit in on a real trad
EmberI leave my office earlier than usual, stepping into the bright afternoon sunlight that spills through the palace courtyard. It feels strange to have this break. Most of my days are filled with the ever growing responsibilities of my new position, but today I promised Ella we would meet.The ga
EmberMy ribs ache from the injury I received from the rogue attack, a constant reminder of how close I came to losing everything. I rise early each day, moving carefully through my morning routine to avoid aggravating my still healing wounds. Despite the healer’s assurances that my recovery is prog
Bianca closes the door to her room with more force than necessary. Sound of the door slamming is loud but it provides no catharsis to the frustration twisting in her chest. She had heard the news only an hour ago, and it still does not feel real.The Captain of the Guard has been arrested.He was su
It keeps playing back, uninvited. I remember her breath catching when our foreheads brushed, the way her eyes softened just before I leaned in.It should not have happened. She is a palace guard. I am engaged to someone else.I keep telling myself we were both vulnerable, that it was a mistake made