THE DRAGON'S LAIR

set behind the sp

adows over the

stone bench in the castle garden

irrored the shifting po

by, watching ove

s a storm o

on's motives. He was unsure

Seraphina. She had shouldered so m

aid quietly, breaking the silence. "Wh

ng softly as he moved. He sat beside he

ow but filled with conviction. "Not as long a

smile. "You place too much faith in me, Rowan. I'm only

? You? Seraphina, you're the one person in this kingdom

per hand, but he underestimates y

"I hope you're right. But with every day that passes, the walls clos

nfluence, his power-it

tates too much, always weighing his options. Men like th

eyes searching his face. "D

we must tread carefully. One wrong step, and we

with strategies. "Then we need to ensu

ce interrupted their conversation. "My

he castle stood before her, his face f

d with the royal crest-a crest th

a swift motion. Her eyes scanned the conte

his hand instinctively rest

filled with grim resolve. "The ki

onight? That's ha

he parchment and slipping i

s a sprawling, intimidating space. Ta

eamed in the flic

atmosphere was far from festive. It was stifling. Oppress

floor as they made their way through the hall. Courtiers whispered b

ted on the throne,

s crown heavy on his brow. Beside him, as always, stood

run down her spine as s

filled with menace. No matter how much she prepared hers

through the hall. "You've been summoned to di

r head respectfull

s hand was near his sword. His eye

rward, full of grace and arrogance. "Lord Bla

r palms. She had expected this. Blackwood's hand was o

s come to our attention that certain... dissenters are gathering

ssenters? You mean those who dar

darkened. "Call them what you will. They are

... they speak of overthrowing the monarchy. They stir unre

eart pounded

s next move. He would use the rebellio

e his power by pretendi

understand the dissenters' grievances before using violence? If we

armth. "A noble sentiment, my lady. But you ar

smantle everyth

if we respond with force, we may drive more t

them, uncertainty flickering

visor and a man who had, bit by bit, in

n. "My lord, we take bold action now." If we do not

's pulse

to act, to sway the king before

voice firm, "please, allow me

I fail, then we will take the necessary measures.

king as he weighed his options. Time seemed

elt like an eternity,

may go to the north and attempt

will have no choice but to fo

washing over her. "Thank you, Y

slithered through the air. "I hope, for

e could feel his gaze burnin

stood on the steps, the weight of her mi

expression grim. "Ar

only chance. We must stop Blackw

reassuringly on her shoulder. "

her heart filled with both

nto the night, the fate of El

oved quietly through

used on the task ahead. Their conversatio

luence grew stro

further under his control. But Sera

resolve the conflict. S

Rowan broke the silence. Their

" His tone wasn't accusatory, but th

face unreadable for a moment.

ll only end in bloodshed. And once the killing starts, the

as they mounted. "These rebels... what if they don't wa

tened her grip

herwise. If they see me as an enemy

silence for a

hooves was the only sou

faded behind them, Se

eaders were. She only heard whispers of dissent about their true gri

ain, this time softer, almost hesitant.

to him, her brows furro

away from that council meeting without a plan. Sending y

htened. "You think

gravely. "He knows the king trusts you. "He k

ed. She had considered th

ackwood wasn't just playing a political game-he was maneuvering t

er a long pause. "I have to go. I

ration in his expression. "And what happens if the

d, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at

a to be brave, but this mission was something else entirely. Beyond external enem

ls were closing

the sky was painted with hues of pink and gold. The air was crisp, and t

," Seraphina said, her voice laced with fatigue. The rid

ind us food and water. We should b

ls. Who were they? She had heard rumors of their leaders. They were di

onarchy. They were fed up with the endless wars a

through her reveri

tattered and worn. But his eyes were sharp with recogn

stinctively moving toward the

d as if to make sure they weren't ov

ssage? Here? How could an

he asked, her

pping closer. "The northern rebels, my lady. They

to the hilt of his sword. "And

They have eyes and ears everywhere, Sir Rowan. Th

eant they were watching her-perhaps even waiting for her. She

Seraphina said, her voice firm. "

ver his face. "Of course, my lady. They'

hension wash over her. She was about to walk into the heart of the re

s scanning the village for threats. "We shoul

risk we have to take. If we're going to stop Blackwood, we

tly. "I trust you, Seraphina. Jus

ted his protectiveness. But her

uneasy. The game was already afoot, and a confrontatio

tmaneuver him, to turn the t

a dangerous bargain with