The Royal Council Chamber was cold, despite the massive fire roaring in the hearth. King Alaric sat at the head of the long obsidian table, his face a mask of granite. Opposite him sat Lord Thorne, the oldest and most dangerous member of the Council, his eyes narrow and calculating.
"An escape, Your Majesty?" Thorne's voice was like dry parchment rubbing together. "From the Black Tower? A fortress that has held the most dangerous criminals for three centuries? And by a girl?"
Alaric didn't blink. "She was a trained soldier of the rebellion. She managed to overpower the night guard and disappear into the forest before the alarm was raised. I have already ordered her execution upon sight."
"And yet," Thorne leaned forward, his fingers steepled. "The guards report that the lock was not broken. It was opened with a key. A royal key."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Alaric felt the weight of his crown like a leaden shackle. He knew Thorne was fishing for treason, looking for any crack in the King's armor.
"Are you accusing your King of treason, Lord Thorne?" Alaric's voice dropped to a dangerous octave. The air in the room seemed to vibrate with his hidden power.
"I am merely pointing out the inconsistencies, Sire," Thorne replied, though his eyes told a different story. "The people are restless. The Northern rebellion is growing. If they find out the daughter of Valerius is free, it will be a spark in a room full of gunpowder."
"Then we must extinguish the spark," Alaric said, standing up. His crimson cloak billowed behind him. "I will lead the search party myself. If she is found, she will not return to the tower. She will die where she stands."
As Alaric walked out of the chamber, his heart felt like a lead weight in his chest. He had bought Kaia time, but he had also painted a target on her back—and his own. He knew Thorne would be watching his every move.
Outside, the first snow of winter began to fall, thin and white against the gray sky. Alaric looked toward the Northern forest. Run, Kaia, he thought. Run as far as you can. Because if I find you... I might have to be the monster you once thought I was.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Kaia sat by a small, smokeless fire with Silas and the other rebels. They were sharpening their blades, their faces illuminated by the orange glow.
"We strike at dawn," Silas said, looking at Kaia. "You know the secret entrance to the King's private chambers. You will lead us."
Kaia looked at the fire, the gold pouch Alaric had given her hidden deep within her tunic. She had two choices: lead her people to victory and kill the man she loved, or betray the rebellion and watch her world burn