Lucien's POV
"Alright, I'll go—but not now."
Asriel's brow arched. "Why not?"
"It's too soon." I folded my arms, holding his stare. "Jason just died, and Lila only escaped recently. Even if you have people inside, the place will be crawling with guards. We should wait a few days. Tell your spies to make a foolproof passage for me to get into the castle."
He tapped his chin, thoughtful, before a crooked smile broke across his face. A low laugh slipped out. "Fine. That might be wiser."
"So, what's the next phase of the plan after that?" I asked, though the question came sharper than I intended.
"No need to rush, Lucien." His voice carried a silky patience that always grated on me. "Step by step. First, Lila needs treatment, and you need to rest. You were in that cave, caged, for too long. And Lila—she just escaped prison and torture. You both need time. Understood?"
My jaw tightened, but I gave a slight nod.
