Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 41 - Chapitre 45

POV: AVAThe road into Silvercrest looked quieter than usual when Mira and I returned. A few supply wagons passed through the gates, but there were far fewer than I expected. The guards were checking each wagon before letting it through, and several empty carts waited near the side of the road.Inside the palace, the head of supplies was already waiting for us. He carried a stack of reports under one arm and looked worn out.“Two trade routes are now restricted,” he said. “Merchants using those roads are being turned back or warned not to continue into Silvercrest.”“Why?” I asked.“They’re afraid of crossing territory controlled by the four Kings.”He handed me another report. “One merchant group refused to come at all. A neighboring pack also stopped its regular shipments of food and medicine this morning.”I read the page, then lifted my eyes. “They’re really that afraid?”“Yes, Your Majesty. They believe supporting Silvercrest could bring trouble to their own people. Some of them

POV: AVA Mira and I didn't approach Caleb Morris carelessly.After what happened with the first witness, we changed how we moved. We never took the same route twice, never allowed Caleb to travel alone, and kept our conversations short whenever we were outside. He resisted at first. He wanted no part in a fight between Ava, Gareth, and four Kings who could crush his life without leaving a mark on paper. It took several conversations before he finally agreed to come with us.By the time we reached the council chamber, Caleb was walking between two guards.I sat beside Mira while the four Kings occupied their usual places across the chamber. Matthias, Zade, Raymond, and Bernard looked perfectly comfortable, which was almost insulting considering why we were there.The head of the council rose from his seat and waited until the room settled.“Ava requested this gathering earlier than expected,” he announced. “She informed the council that she has another witness concerning the allegatio

POV: LyraElena’s last words stayed in my head. You know what you must do. I sat on the narrow cot while the prison grew quiet around me. Elena did not explain anything else before leaving, but she did not need to. I understood what she wanted me to do, and staying inside this cell would only make it harder.I was still Ava’s prisoner, but the four kings were waiting for me to finish what they sent me here to do. Being caught had changed my situation, not my purpose. I needed to get out before I lost the chance to do what I came here for, and I already knew where to start.James came to mind. He was one of the guards assigned to this part of the prison, and his interest in me was easy to notice. He often found reasons to pass my cell. Sometimes he checked the lock when there was no real need. Other times, he brought my food himself even when another guard could have done it. He clearly thought I did not notice, but I did.Until now, I had no reason to care about his attention. Ton