Chapter 28
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
I sat on the edge of my bunk, relaying everything I knew about infiltrating the castle dungeon.
“We’ll need guard rotations,” I said, tapping my fingers against my knee. “Who those guards are and, more importantly, if they can be bought. There’s no point in risking this if my father already has some of them on his payroll.”
Cordelle nodded, flipping open a notebook where he’d already started scribbling details.
“I know how to get inside the walls,” I added. “Thanks to Siergen.”
“Siergen?” Naia asked.
“The red dragon,” Riven answered for me. “The one who acts like he owns the place.”
I smiled faintly. “That’s the one. I haven’t seen him in a while,” I admitted. “But if he’s around… he might lend me a favor.”
“Or eat you,” Jax muttered.
“Maybe,” I agreed with a wry smile.
With nothing else to plan for the moment, we headed for the dining hall.
We found our table across from Iron Fang. The space between the squads felt wider than usual, and their sharp glances didn’t help. I kept my eyes down at first, poking at my food as I mulled over everything.
But eventually, my gaze betrayed me, straying toward Zander. He was speaking with Cade, his expression serious. Whatever they were talking about, Zander’s face was cold and unmoving.
I should’ve looked away, but I didn’t. My gaze followed him when he wandered toward Remy.
I tensed. Remy’s eyes were already locked on me. He was seated at the far end of the Warborn table, his squadmates giving him more space than necessary. Almost like they didn’t know what to do with him—or they were afraid of him.
He didn’t look away when Zander reached him.
I didn’t know what they were saying, but I knew enough to understand the tension between them wasn’t new. Whatever this was, it ran deep—and the way Remy’s fingers twitched at his side told me he was barely keeping his composure.
Zander’s expression darkened, and I had the overwhelming sense that whatever was happening, I was caught right in the middle of it.
Zander glared at the room. “All squads to the Ascension Grounds. Dinner is over.”
We all stood, with half-eaten plates left on the tables, and filed out to the grounds, taking our positions.
Major Ledor stood at the podium, but before he could speak, Theron stepped forward with a sharp gesture, silently commanding the major to step aside. Ledor’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he obeyed, moving away from the podium without a word.
“What’s going on?” Riven whispered, her voice low.
“No idea,” Jax muttered.
“But it’s about to get more interesting,” Naia added, flicking her head toward the royal banners where Prince Dorian stood. The heir apparent looked like he hadn’t slept in days—dark circles shadowed his eyes, and stubble on his chin.
“This delay is ludicrous,” Dorian said to his brother. His voice cut through the murmurs. “We need reinforcements sent to the outer regions immediately. Reports from the south indicate multiple villages have been targeted. We cannot afford to ignore this.”
“There is no proof these attacks are coordinated,” Theron countered smoothly, stepping closer to his brother. “And no sign that Warriath is in any danger. Reinforcements should remain here—defending the capital, as they were intended.”
“Intended?” Dorian scoffed, his voice rising. “Our soldiers aren’t meant to sit idle behind castle walls while entire villages are destroyed!”
Theron’s smile was sharp, more of a sneer than anything else. “And what would you have us do, brother? Divide our forces? Send riders into territories that have survived just fine for generations?”
“They’ve survived because the outer regions have always relied on us,” Dorian shot back. “You know that! And now they’re calling for help—we can’t ignore them.”
“Warriath hasn’t been attacked in six hundred years,” Theron growled. “Do you know why? Because our forces are strong enough here to deter it. You want to weaken our defenses on the chance that some scattered raids might escalate?”
“They’re more than just scattered raids,” Dorian snapped, stepping closer to his brother. “Entire families have been wiped out. We’ve lost trade routes, supply chains—they’re isolating us, and you know it!”
Theron’s eyes glinted dangerously. “I know that sending our troops away weakens us here. I know that our strength lies in defending this city—the heart of the kingdom.”
“You’re a fool if you think the kingdom ends at these walls,” Dorian shot back, voice like steel.
The compound buzzed with tension, soldiers shifting uncomfortably, some whispering behind their hands. The lines were being drawn—those loyal to Dorian’s call for reinforcements, and those who believed Theron’s stance on safeguarding Warriath was the wiser choice.
“I’ll speak to Father,” Dorian said, voice quieter now, but no less fierce. “I won’t stand by and let our people die while we sit behind thick walls, pretending we’re invincible.”
Theron’s smile was cruel. “You do that,” he said coldly. “But don’t be surprised when the king tells you the same thing I just did.”
Dorian’s gaze flicked briefly to Zander—a silent question.
Zander’s glare hardened as Theron’s smug voice rang out. “I think Dorian is correct,” Zander said firmly. “We need to solidify the continent, not just Warriath.”
Theron’s lip twitched, his gaze shifting to his younger brother. “Why am I not surprised?” His voice dripped with condescension.
Zander didn’t back down. “Dorian’s military strategy is?—”
Theron’s eyes flicked past Zander, landing on me.
His smile sharpened like a blade. “What would you know about military strategy, Zander? From what I hear, you’re too busy trying to get into Ashe Rebec’s pants.
” His voice turned mocking, cold. “Why else would you order your dragon to take her to the isle? Although,” he added with a sneer, “I am impressed he agreed.”
My stomach knotted, heat flaring behind my eyes as whispers broke out across the gathered soldiers. Zander’s hands clenched at his sides, fingers curling into fists.
“Careful, Theron,” Zander warned, his voice dangerously low.
“Why?” Theron’s smirk widened. “Does the truth sting? Tell me, did you promise her protection? Maybe a royal title for her troubles?”
“You’re crossing a line,” Zander ground out through his teeth.
Theron’s gaze flicked back to me, and his smile turned cruel. “I wonder how many of her Order associates have warmed your bed. Or does Prince Zander just enjoy Remand’s cast-offs?”
“You are a spineless prick, Theron,” Dorian hissed.
Zander didn’t respond. Instead, his expression hardened, and he folded his arms tightly across his chest. Neutral. Guarded.
Theron smirked, pleased with the tension he’d left in his wake. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode away, flanked by his personal guards.
“I hate that bastard,” Jax muttered, low enough for only our squad to hear.
“Yeah,” Naia agreed.
My eyes strayed to Remy, and my stomach twisted when I caught the look on his face. His gaze wasn’t on me—it was locked on Theron, sharp and dark, the kind of look that promised violence. I’d seen that look before. My ex wanted to murder him.
My gaze shifted over the gathered squads, and that was when I noticed it—almost every set of eyes was on me. Quiet conversations had hushed, replaced by stolen glances and whispers.
“What is going on?” Jax muttered, low enough for just us to hear.
“I’m not sure,” I said, my voice tight. “But almost everyone is watching us.”
“Not us , Ashe,” Riven corrected. Her expression was grim. “They’re watching you .”
Cordelle swallowed hard, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. “It’s probably because Zander is the most powerful rider we have,” he said carefully. “His power was thought lost, and being the king’s son... with the largest dragon... well...”
“Well, what?” I demanded.
Cordelle hesitated, glancing at Riven as if hoping she’d answer for him. When she didn’t, he took a breath. “He’s expected to choose a... noble wife.”
I blinked, barely able to register what he was saying. “You think this is about that?” I scoffed. “He’s never going to be king.”
“Yeah,” Jax chimed in, “but his children will be riders. His bloodline matters.”
I shook my head, still trying to make sense of it. “You’re telling me the other riders care because Zander—” I paused, “—because Prince Zander Rayne took me to the Isle? That’s ridiculous.”
“It can’t be that,” Riven added quietly. “You’re powerful, or you will be. If Kaelith ever anchors you fully...”
Cordelle shook his head. “I don’t think this is about magic.” His gaze hardened. “This is about the fact that he’s a royal, and you’re...”
“A criminal.” The word fell from my mouth like a curse.
Silence wrapped around us.
“That’s not true,” Riven said.
“It’s what they believe,” I whispered back. “And they’re not wrong.”
I glanced back toward Zander. He was standing near the Crownwatch Squad, expression unreadable, but I knew better. His body was tense, coiled tight like a wire ready to snap. I didn’t know if it was because of Theron... or because he knew what this meant.
He was royalty.
And I was just a girl with white hair and too much magic. A thief. A Liar. A daughter of the Order.