Chapter Planning Room
The large wooden table at the center is strewn with maps and documents, evidence of hurried planning and desperate strategies.
I don’t recognize most of the faces around the table until my gaze locks onto a familiar figure standing at the head of the table.
Raiden. He’s holding a stack of papers, his brow furrowed, but the moment his eyes meet mine, everything changes.
The papers slip from his hands, scattering across the table and floor like autumn leaves caught in a gust of wind. His expression shifts in an instant, the hard lines of focus and determination softening into something that makes my chest clench. Relief, raw and unguarded, floods his features.
In an instant, he’s across the room, wrapping me in his strong arms. The sudden embrace is overwhelming, and emotions clog my throat, making my nose sting.
“I’m so glad you’re back,” Raiden whispers into my hair, his voice softer than I’ve ever heard. I can feel the rapid beat of his heart against my cheek.
I squeeze him tightly, unwilling to let go just yet. “I missed you, Batman.”
Raiden pulls back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. His gaze is intense, filled with a mix of relief, worry, and unspoken questions. “Thank Ainé. Are you okay?”
A tear slips down my cheek. “I’m fine, Raiden.”
He wipes the tear away with his thumb, his touch gentle. “We’ll get him back,” he promises, his voice steady and reassuring.
Before I can respond, the air in the war room erupts into chaos. A cacophony of raised voices, clattering armor, and the sudden scuffle of boots scraping against stone fills the space. I whip around to see what’s happening, and freeze.
At the far end of the room, guards and a handful of soldiers face Alivar, weapons drawn, trying to detain him.
But they’re stopped in their tracks—literally.
A shimmering layer of frost creeps across the floor, ice snaking up from their feet, binding them in place.
Their faces twist in frustration and shock, helpless as they struggle against the magic that has rooted them to the ground.
Alivar stands calmly amidst the chaos, his hand still outstretched, the faint glow of magic fading from his fingers. His expression remains impassive, but there’s a sharpness in his eyes, a cold resolve that mirrors the ice trapping the guards.
The soldiers shout commands at each other, trying to break free, but it’s useless.
The more they thrash, the tighter the frost clings to their boots.
One of the guards lifts his sword, but it’s clear he’s going nowhere.
The rest look to each other in frustration, realizing they’re completely at Alivar’s mercy.
Nymeria and Anika stand guard between me and the rest of the room, their vigilant eyes focused on the commotion.
“That’s enough. Alivar–” Raiden starts.
“Crown Prince–”
Raiden snarls, his wings snapping out as he glares at Alivar, effectively silencing him. Then he locks eyes with the guards and soldiers. “The prince is of no threat. Put your weapons away.”
Alivar crosses his arms and raises his eyebrow at Raiden. I can see he wants to say something else. Most probably add fuel to the fire.
Raiden doesn’t give him the chance. “Let them go.”
Alivar inclines his head, and with a flick of his wrists, the ice melts, disappearing as if it were never there to begin with.
Raiden steps forward, drawing everyone’s attention. “Everyone out.”
“But, Captain.”
“It’s okay, Lutin,” Raiden says again, more firmly this time.
The young soldier with long blonde hair sends a glare at Alivar, his mauve colored eyes just a shade darker than Kian’s, burning with a fire that makes me smile. His eyes shift and his attention lands on me.
“Your Highness,” He places his fist over his heart and bows once more, then turns and exits the room with the rest.
Raiden lets out a deep sigh and leans against the table. “Tell me what happened?”
I shrug, feeling a weight on my shoulders as my focus falls to the ground. Seeking comfort, I reach for Nymeria and Anika, burying my fingers in their fur.
“Maxon and Yumekui were fighting. Somehow, she got the upper hand and . . . ”
I swallow roughly, my throat dry and my heart heavy with the memory.
My eyes fall closed as I try to push back the rising tide of emotions.
“She was going to trade me for Maxon. I was going to do it. Maxon knew it. He panicked, and when Alivar showed up.” I take a breath, my eyes darting to Alivar.
“He demanded Alivar to get me out of there.”
“It’s a good thing he did, because we wouldn’t stand a chance if it were you who had been taken.”
I look up at Raiden. “How did the city fare? Was everyone able to get behind the castle walls?”
Raiden’s hands land on my shoulders, squeezing. “We pushed back against the hordes, but once you were gone, they retreated.” Raiden looks over at Alivar. “We have you to thank for that. Had you not taken her, they would have leveled the city.”
Alivar lets out a low noise, crossing his arms over his chest as he watches us closely. Suddenly, the doors open and Tristan and Kian walk in with another man I don’t know.
Tristan comes to a halt as soon as he lays eyes on me. “Princess?”
Kian’s soft lavender eyes whip up to meet mine, and despite everything, I can’t help but smile.
For a fleeting moment, it feels like things might be okay.
But then his attention shifts, sliding over to Alivar, and something in his expression changes.
I watch as a flicker of guilt slithers across his face, subtle but unmistakable, and the realization hits me hard.
It was Kian.
Something cold and heavy settles in my chest, and a prickling sensation moves over my scalp. He was Alivar’s spy.
Every chance, every opportunity he had, he used to betray me. He was the closest to me, the one who was always there. Whenever he disappeared or stormed off, I’d brushed it off, never suspecting, never doubting him. But now, with every passing second, the betrayal cuts deeper, and my heart hardens.
Before I know it, I’m standing right in front of Kian, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts.
I don’t even remember crossing the distance between us, but here I am, my body moving on its own, driven by rage.
His eyes widen in shock, the realization dawning on him too late.
I hear gasps from those around us, but they’re distant, like echoes from another world.
Without hesitation, my arm pulls back, and I deliver a punch to his face.
The impact is solid. The force of it reverberates, sending a wave of pain shooting up my arm.
Kian staggers back, more from surprise than the blow itself, his expression a mix of pain and disbelief.
I moved so swiftly that no one had a chance to stop me, and now the room feels frozen, every eye on us.
But the betrayal I feel blocks them out. Right now, it’s just Kian and me.
“How could you?!” I scream, my voice raw with anger and hurt. The words tear from my throat, each syllable laced with the sting of betrayal.
What hurts the most is having been so completely wrong about someone I thought I knew. My hand throbs with pain, and I instinctively curse, shaking it to alleviate the discomfort.
“I deserved that,” Kian admits, rubbing his jaw.
“Of course you deserve it!” I hiss, poking him in the chest. “You betrayed your king.”
Kian drops his head, shoulders slumping.
Tears of anger burn my eyes as I step closer. “You betrayed me.”
Raiden steps up next to me, his wings flaring. “Is this true?”
“Yes,” Kian replies, lifting his head and looking over my shoulder to Raiden.
So many thoughts bubble up inside of me, and I really struggle not to burst into tears. It’s Tristan’s low growl that gives me pause, snapping me from the feelings warring inside. Silence falls, blanketing the room in a thick tension.
Tristan’s eyes mirror the same sense of betrayal I feel.
Kian raises his palms, his lavender eyes pleading with me, silently begging for understanding. “Can I explain?”
“You fed the Seelie Prince–”
“Oh, now I’m the prince,” Alivar interrupts with a mocking tone that grates my nerves.
Gritting my teeth, I continue, “You allowed him access to the castle. To my chambers.”
Alivar responds, cutting in before Kian can speak. “In all fairness, he didn’t know I’d find you naked.”
My cheeks flush with embarrassment, heat creeping up my neck. I swing my head around, pinning Alivar with a glare. “Not helping,” I snap.
Unfazed, Alivar shrugs. “This all seems like a moot point. All Kian did was keep me updated on your progress and memories. I wanted to know if you were indeed the princess the prophecy spoke of.”
“You had a cabin stocked and ready for me. You were planning on taking me at some point and using him to help.”
“I was intending to take you. But that was before you mated with Maxon. Seeing his mark on you, I realized it would be a waste of time to take you. Plus, despite what others may think, I’m not that sort of person. I would never break a bonded pair. Especially not fated mates.”
I drop my eyes to the ground and take several deep breaths. One thing I know from my short time with Alivar is that he doesn’t lie. As for Kian, I’m still pissed off that he would go behind our backs like that.
“Princess,” Kian interjects softly, “I only did what I did, so Alivar was aware of your presence. It was for your safety in case something went wrong here.”
I look up at Kian, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. The betrayal stings, but I know deep down that he believed he was acting in my best interest. The complexities of our situation swirl around me, making it difficult to see a clear path forward.
“Your safety was my priority,” Kian continues. “I never intended for things to get this complicated. I thought if Alivar knew who you were, he could offer some protection, should something happen to the king and things become unsafe for you here.”