closely behind her. He had been assigned to watch over he

ael by her side. She had grown accustomed to his quiet presence, and sh

l with a smile. "Thank you, Kael," she said. "I'

ing hers. "I'll just check the c

hecking for any signs of danger. She felt a sense of gratitude towar

e turned to Aria with a nod.

sense of relief. "Tha

s seemed to see right through her. She felt a shiver run down her spine

s wash over her. She had never felt this way about anyone

er to her. "Princess, is everything all ri

ed into Kael's eyes, she felt her heart skip a beat.

thing?" she said, her voi

s locked on hers. "O

g. "Do you ever think about me?" she a

a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "What do yo

ation. But then Kael's eyes locked onto hers, and sh

re than just a princess to protect?" Aria

Aria saw a glimmer of hope. But then his mask

incess," he said. "I do not th

But as she looked into Kael's eyes, she saw something

sponse, but she refused to give up. She took

just a mindless guard," she said, her voice soft but determined. "You ha

aw a flicker of emotion in his eyes. She pr

r voice sincere. "I know you don't trust him, but

, but Aria could see the tens

his, Princess?" he asked,

p closer, her heart p

ian romantically," she said, her voice barely above a whi

Aria saw a glimmer of hope. But then his mask

an come of it. I am still sworn to protect

. She knew that Kael felt something for her,

nt. She knew that Kael was a man of honor, a

taking a step back. "I apologize

nd he nodded. "You didn't, Princess,"

the mood. "I know," she said.

hought she saw a glimmer of something more. Bu

ect Kael's boundaries. She turned to leave, but as sh

inc

r heart skippin

, Aria thought she saw something there

ce Elian," he said, his

shiver run down her spi

el had meant by his warning. And she couldn't help but feel

e Shadow Clan's intentions. She made her way to the city's seedy under

ll, rundown tavern on the outskirts of town. Rumor had

tavern was dimly lit, the air thick with smoke and the smell of a

n the corner, speaking in hushed tones. Aria's instincts

on the conversation. The group was discussing a shipment of goods, b

" one of them said. "He wants t

a beat. Taken care of

information as possible. But as she turned to leav

like he hadn't shaved in weeks. Aria felt a shiver run down her

gaze. She didn't want to draw attention to herself, a

e tavern, trying to blend in with the crowd. She kept a watchf

e had just stumbled upon something big. The conversation she had overheard ha

f" her? Aria's heart was racing with anxi

r chambers, locking the door behind her. She knew she had to

er guard, he was sworn to protect her, and she k

. Kael was a member of the Shadow Clan, a

ow what to do, or who to turn to. All she knew was that

s advisor. She trusted him implicitly, and she knew

with anxiety. When she arrived, she found him sitti

g?" he asked, as she sat do

she had overheard at the tavern. Mr. Blackwood's

inished. "I'm afraid I have

ank. "What is

anning to kill you, Aria. They see you as a threat to their powe

he gut. She had suspected that something

took her hand. "But don't worry, Your Highness. I'll do e

wards him, but before she could r

, Aria. Something I nee

curiously. "What

noticed the way you look at Kael, Aria. And I

d a beat. How had M

en?" she asked, tryin

a member of the Shadow Clan, Aria. And he imposes a danger

of her knew that Mr. Blackwood was right, but an