were quiet, too quiet f

the narrow alleys, their footste

they know we

his eyes scanning the su

er jaw clenched. "If they d

abbing her arm. "You're s

be chasin

sharp. "Roderic Blackwood isn't a

ng, tension hanging

cy they had uncovered felt

of Seraphina's estate. The iron

e morning," Seraphina sai

point in ru

r longer than necessary. "Seraphina, b

, she went inside and shut the gates. Rowan melt

eraphina awoke to sunlight s

rmoil of her thoughts. She threw on her

aiting for her

ed, holding up the pot

cradling the cup. "Alistair, something is happen

ced the tray of food on the

of a new alliance," she

ong enough to cha

faltered for a moment. "That...

in reverence. "It is. And

e in, his face set in a serious expressio

id, pulling out a small, wo

ioned last night,

al. Ver

her eyes narrowing. "Wha

u can think of," Rowan said. "Smuggling, mercenaries, i

absorbing every word. "D

"I spoke to a few contacts. There's a

e that Blackwoo

ressed into a thin

aid, looking her straight in the eyes. "If we wan

ect data discreetly. We don't want to

ile at Alistair's spontaneous d

roness Elara's lavish study. The room was filled with

nd composed, was list

ained, leaning in slightly. "And I know Blackwood

her chin th

is a dange

t to get too

re's a gambling den

en sightings

ed an eyebrow.

's got ties to influential families. If the

," Seraphina said firmly

"Be careful, Seraphina. Blackwood's the kind of

s a dingy building, tucked away in a part of town where nobility rare

sked, his hand resting o

na replied, tightening her cloak ar

and the murmur of voices filled the air, but everything fell quiet as the

ere a wiry man with a gruff voic

aid, scanning the room. "

two glasses of water. Rowan leaned close to her, his voice

said coldly. "We nee

ike hours, each moment stre

figure stepped inside. He moved with purpose, his

ghtened. "T

m to a private table in the back, his presen

her voice was

wing them like a shadow. When they reached Blackwoo

?" Seraphina said,

ow, a smirk playing on hi

ions," Seraphina sh

is relaxed slouch into the chair. "Well,

ir seats across from him. Blackwood's eyes flicked betwe

ut me," Blackwood said,

e planning," Rowan said, cu

"Planning? Oh, I'm always planning someth

. "The alliance. The one that threatens

e stared at her for a long moment, the a

you? But let me warn you... you d

but Seraphina restrained him with

whisper. "You're playing a dangerous game, Lady

kwood's gaze, unfaz

mes are nothi

rumbling sound that sent

f amusement and curiosity. "I like your fire, Lady Seraphina. Bu

t. Seraphina didn't flinch, keeping her tone steady

e persistent. But there are bigge

re powerful by the day. You've stepped into

ve heard enough riddles. Strai

ded, and he leaned forwa

the commoners, even the King himself-none o

the king's days on th

ned. "And you're h

lf with those who hold power. Right now, that power

Rowan before addressing Blackwoo

he alliance

rom the King's iron grip on Eldoria. Freedom for

ning mind. "And what about the people of Eldoria? Wha

s expressi

s a price to p

that price is

. "And how many lives are you wil

gaze without flinching

ilence between them. Seraphina

en by greed and a thirs

bellion. He was a key player, a puppet mas

cold. "You're playin

king," Blackw

this kingdom for years. He's tightened his

nce is, I'm givi

d. "A choice betwee

s gleaming. "That's the beauty o

grated across the wooden surfac

our way thr

es followed he

hina. You're stepping i

ne last time. "We'

d out of the den, the tension be

they stepped outside, but the chill

minutes before Rowan finally brok

o. But he's right about one thing. We're wal

rough the winding streets of E

. An alliance was forming, and it was

d it go? Who el

ore than she is letting on?

d at him, her th

good at playing her ca

ossible she knows more. We'll use a

ping the hilt of his sword.

fell like a cold,

r as well. "Seraphina, if this alliance is as big as Bla

"We don't have a choice. The peop

sighed. "I know. But we can't

ace quickening. "We'll find them. But firs

y at the estate, with flame

the walls were closing in, that ever

echoed in her mind

t, jotting down notes, plans, and th

the noble families had pledged

to complet

the door interru

ce grave. "My lady, ther

kipped a beat. "Wha

nformants dead in the lower district. "It seems

ightened around th

tair. His expression mirrored the same

ina felt the weight of the danger the

ore. It wasn't about power or r

lute. "If they want a fi

termination burning in hi

r mind racing with the possibili