*Chapter Five: Allies and Shadows*
The Conclave had ended, but the echoes of Maya's speech still reverberated through the palace halls.
Support for the Truce Act had surged in the hours following her bold declaration, especially after Alaric's unexpected alliance. But support was not security. In the world Maya now lived in, applause one day could turn into poison the next.
She paced her chamber restlessly. The velvet curtains were drawn tightly, the candlelight flickering like nervous breath. Every instinct told her the danger had shifted—not disappeared.
Someone had lost power today.
And someone would want revenge.
***
Cassian arrived shortly before midnight, carrying a satchel full of scribbled documents and court rumors.
"You've broken a dozen expectations," he said, dropping the bag onto a chair. "Some nobles are calling you reborn. Others say you're cursed."
Maya smiled dryly. "That's a compliment in this court."
Cassian tossed her a sealed note. "This came through unofficial channels."
Maya opened it. A list of names. Lords. Ministers. And one name underlined in crimson.
*Lady Evelyne Valmont.*Maya narrowed her eyes. "She's making a move."
Cassian nodded. "She's trying to block the Act in the merchant's council. Whispering doubts into ears that hear only gold."
"We need someone inside her circle."
Cassian hesitated. "You're not going to like this... but someone's already inside. Your new rooftop friend."
"Ash?" Maya blinked. "He works for *Evelyne*?"
Cassian gave a half-smile. "He did. Now? He's freelance."
Maya pressed her hand to her temple. "Of course."
Still, Ash intrigued her. He moved between shadows and secrets like he belonged there. Someone like that didn't switch sides lightly. He must have his reasons.
***
Later, Ash appeared without warning—again.
"You really should lock your balcony," he said as he climbed in. "I've seen nobility stabbed for less than that speech."
Maya didn't rise from her seat. "You were Evelyne's spy. Why the sudden change of heart?"
He shrugged, tossing a pouch of coins onto her desk. "She paid well. But I'm not fond of dying for her bad bets."
"And now I'm the better bet?"
"You're not boring," he said, grinning. "And you don't underestimate people. That's rare."
Maya studied him. "What do you want?"
Ash leaned closer. "You win this game? I want a seat at the table. Not just coin. *Power.*"Her lips curved. "Then help me win."
***
The next few days passed in a blur of hushed meetings, veiled threats, and coded letters. Maya spent hours rebuilding Seraphina's reputation piece by piece. She hosted diplomats with unexpected grace, offered quiet donations to orphanages Seraphina had once ignored, and—most daring of all—publicly apologized to a minor noblewoman Seraphina had humiliated years ago.
It wasn't weakness. It was strategy.
With every act of humility, every word of reform, Maya chipped away at the villainess the court had painted.
But Evelyne wasn't idle.
Rumors soon swirled that Maya was using dark magic, that she'd bewitched Alaric, that her change of heart was a calculated lie.
And then came the letter.
Delivered in the dead of night, slipped beneath her chamber door.
*"We warned you once. Now we show you."*
It was unsigned. But attached was a lock of hair—Talia's hair.
Maya's heart stopped.
She ran.
***
The servant quarters were quiet, but wrong. Empty in a way that whispered danger. Maya found Cassian in the corridor, wide-eyed and pale.
"She's gone," he said. "They took her."
"Who?" Maya's voice cracked.
"Masked men. No insignia. No trail. They knew exactly where to go."
Maya's hands shook. "She trusted me."Ash appeared then, silent as ever, holding a bloodied glove.
"They left this behind," he said. "It belongs to a northern guard. Verrick's colors."
Maya closed her eyes. The message was clear.
They had Talia.
And it was her fault.
***
That night, Maya stood alone in the palace chapel.
She hadn't prayed in years. But now she didn't pray for favor or power.
She prayed for a second chance—to protect what Seraphina never had. Loyalty. Love. Redemption.
And she swore, silently, that whoever hurt Talia would pay.
Because the villainess may have been reborn.
But vengeance? That was eternal.