ELARA'S POV
I didn't sleep.
How could I, knowing what I knew?
By the time dawn broke, I'd made my decision. I hated it. Hated myself for making it. But survival meant choosing the lesser evil.
And right now, Kaedan alive was better than facing the Emperor alone.
I dressed quickly in a simple gown—blue, my father's favorite color—and braided my hair with shaking hands. Every movement felt heavy with the weight of what I was about to do.
Betray my father's memory to save his killer.
The irony was so bitter I could taste it.
A knock at the door made me jump.
Your Highness? A male voice I didn't recognize. General Drakmir requests your presence in his study.
I opened the door to find a soldier I'd never seen before. Young, maybe twenty-five, with warm brown eyes and an easy smile that seemed impossible for someone in this fortress.
He bowed—actually bowed, like I was still royalty.
I'm Commander Rylan Ashford, the General's second-in-command. His voice was respectful, almost kind. I apologize for disturbing you so early, but the General says it's urgent.
Commander Rylan. Kaedan had mentioned him before.
Where is the General's study? I asked carefully.
I'll escort you, if you'll permit me.
We walked through stone corridors. Unlike other soldiers who avoided my eyes or watched me with suspicion, Rylan seemed... relaxed. Almost friendly.
How long have you served under General Drakmir? I asked.
Twelve years. Since I was thirteen. He glanced at me. We were both child soldiers. The Empire doesn't waste time on gentle training.
Thirteen. The same age I was when Father taught me to dance.
You don't seem like you hate it here, I observed.
Because I don't. Rylan's smile turned sad. The General gave me purpose when I had nothing. Treated me like a person, not a weapon. He's a better man than most realize.
He killed my father.
I know. No apology. No excuse. Just acknowledgment. War makes us do terrible things. But if it helps, he didn't enjoy it. I saw his face after. He looked sick.
The same thing I'd noticed. The same thing that kept haunting me.
We stopped at a heavy wooden door. Rylan knocked once, then opened it.
The princess, sir.
Kaedan's study was smaller than I expected. Maps covered one wall, books lined another, and a massive desk dominated the center. He stood by the window, silhouetted against morning light.
He turned when we entered. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. He hadn't slept either.
Thank you, Rylan. Stay close. I'll need you shortly.
Rylan bowed and left, closing the door behind him.
Silence stretched between us. Kaedan studied me with those sharp silver eyes, and I wondered what he saw. A captive princess? A potential ally? Something more complicated?
You look like you haven't slept, he said finally.
Neither have you.
No. He moved to his desk, gesturing to a chair. Sit. Please.
I sat, spine straight, hands folded in my lap. Every inch the princess, even in enemy territory.
Kaedan remained standing, which put him slightly above me. A power move, probably. Or maybe just exhaustion making him forget courtesy.
I've been thinking about our conversation last night, he said. About the Vault, the Emperor, survival. And I've come to a conclusion.
My heart hammered. What conclusion?
I can't force you to betray your father's trust. And I won't let the Emperor torture you. His jaw tightened. Which means we need a third option.
There is no third option.
There's always another option if you're willing to think creatively. He pulled a map from his desk, spreading it between us. Look.
The map showed the continent of Valendria—the Ironforge Empire marked in red, conquered territories in gray. But Kaedan's finger pointed to a small kingdom on the eastern coast.
Seravale, he said. Independent trading nation. Strong navy, neutral politics. If we could get you there—
Are you suggesting I run away? I stared at him. Abandon everything?
I'm suggesting I get you to safety before the Emperor arrives. His eyes held mine. Rylan would escort you. Fake your death, make it look like you tried to escape and fell from the cliffs. Give you passage to Seravale on a merchant ship.
Freedom. Real freedom. Away from this fortress, from forced marriage, from emperors and generals and impossible choices.
Everything I'd wanted since the moment Kaedan took me captive.
So why did the idea make my chest tighten with something other than relief?
What about you? The question escaped before I could stop it.
I'll face whatever the Emperor brings. His voice was calm. Resigned. Without you here, he has no leverage. He might execute me, might imprison me, might— He shrugged. Doesn't matter. At least you'll be safe.
You'd die so I could escape?
Yes. No hesitation. You didn't choose this war, Elara. You don't deserve to suffer for choices I made years before you were involved.
I stood, sudden anger flooding through me. Stop acting noble! This isn't about protecting me—this is about solving your problem! Get rid of the inconvenient wife before the Emperor asks too many questions!
Kaedan's hand slammed on the desk so hard maps jumped. You think this is easy for me? You think I want to lose— He cut himself off, jaw clenched.
Want to lose what? I demanded. Your prize? Your hostage?
You! The word tore out of him. I don't want to lose you, Elara! Against all logic, all reason, all the evidence that says I should just let you go—I want you here. With me. Safe.
The raw honesty in his voice froze me in place.
But what I want doesn't matter, he continued, voice dropping. What matters is survival. Yours first. Always yours first.
We stared at each other across the desk. His silver eyes were storm-dark, desperate, filled with something that looked dangerously like genuine care.
This was the moment. The choice point.
I could take his offer. Escape to Seravale. Leave Kaedan to face execution alone. Save myself.
Or I could tell him the truth. Warn him about what was really coming. Become his ally in this impossible situation.
There's something you need to know, I heard myself say.
His expression sharpened. What?
Last night, before you came to my room, someone else visited me. I took a breath. Mira. She told me the real reason the Emperor is arriving early.
Kaedan went very still. What reason?
He's not coming to discuss the Vault. The words felt like shards of glass in my throat. He's coming to execute you for treason. Apparently he's been planning it for months. The Vault was just an excuse.
Silence. Heavy. Suffocating.
Then Kaedan laughed—a sharp, bitter sound completely devoid of humor. Of course. Of course he is. Valtor's been looking for a reason to eliminate me since the day I became more popular than him.
You don't seem surprised.
I'm not. He sank into his chair, suddenly looking exhausted. I've been waiting for this for years. The only surprise is that he waited this long.
Mira said you should run. That if you prepare, maybe you could—
Run where? He gestured at the map. The Empire controls half the continent. Anywhere I go, Valtor's reach follows. And if I run, he executes every soldier under my command. Over three thousand men dead because their general was a coward.
So you'll just let him kill you?
I'll face him. Fight if I must. Die if I have to. His eyes met mine. But first, I get you to safety. That's non-negotiable.
Fury exploded through me. Stop deciding things for me! Stop trying to be noble and self-sacrificing! You want to know what I think?
Desperately.
I think you're a fool. I leaned across the desk, forcing him to meet my eyes. I think running away solves nothing. I think sacrificing yourself is the coward's choice. And I think if you're planning to face the Emperor, you'll need allies.
Understanding dawned in his expression. Elara, no. You can't—
I can and I will. The decision solidified as I spoke. My father made me swear to protect the Vault's location. Fine. But he also taught me that strength means standing with people who fight for what's right, even when it's dangerous.
I'm not right. I'm a killer who destroyed your kingdom.
Yes. You are. I held his gaze. But you're also the man who gave me books when you could have broken me. Who protected me from the Emperor's cruelty. Who's planning to sacrifice himself so I can escape. My voice softened despite myself. You're not the monster you think you are, Kaedan. And I'm tired of pretending I don't see that.
His expression cracked—just for a second, vulnerable and raw. If you stay, if you help me, there's a very real chance we both die.
Then we die fighting. Together. As allies. I extended my hand across the desk. What do you say, General? Ready to make a deal with your captive bride?
He stared at my outstretched hand. Then, slowly, carefully, he took it.
His grip was warm, strong, and for just a moment, I let myself feel the connection between us. Not captor and captive. Not enemy and enemy.
Something more complicated. Something dangerous.
Something that might be our only chance at survival.
Partners, he said quietly. Until the Emperor is dealt with.
Partners, I agreed.
A knock interrupted us. Rylan entered, face pale.
Sir, we have a problem. Three Imperial messengers just arrived at the gates. They're demanding to see the princess. Now.
Kaedan's hand tightened on mine. Already? He's not supposed to arrive for four more days.
These aren't with the main force. They said they're advance scouts. Rylan's eyes flicked to me. They're carrying tools, sir. Interrogation tools.
Ice flooded my veins. The Emperor wasn't waiting. He was sending torturers ahead to extract information before he arrived.
Kaedan stood, still holding my hand. How long until they reach the fortress?
They're already inside. I had guards delay them in the entry hall, but we have maybe five minutes.
Five minutes until men with torture devices demanded access to me.
Five minutes to decide how far Kaedan would go to keep his promise of protection.
Kaedan's eyes met mine. In them, I saw determination, fear, and something fiercer.
Get Commander Rylan ready, he said, voice cold as winter steel. And send word to every soldier loyal to me rather than the Emperor. We're about to find out exactly where everyone stands.
Sir? Rylan looked confused.
The Emperor wants war? Kaedan's smile was sharp as broken glass. Then war is what he'll get.
He turned to me, still holding my hand. Are you sure about this alliance, Princess? Because once we start, there's no going back.
I thought about my father's execution. About Cassia's betrayal. About the Emperor's cruelty and the torturers already in the fortress.
About Kaedan's desperate honesty and unexpected mercy.
About the fact that maybe—just maybe—I'd found something worth fighting for.
I'm sure, I said.
Then stay close to me. No matter what happens in that hall, don't leave my side.
Why?
His fingers tightened on mine, and his silver eyes burned with fierce intensity.
Because those men have come to take you from me. And I'm about to show them exactly what happens when someone tries to steal what I've claimed as mine.
The possessiveness in his voice should have terrified me.
Instead, as we walked toward the entry hall together—hands still joined, ready to face the Emperor's messengers side by side—I felt something I hadn't felt since the day my kingdom fell.
Hope.
Dangerous, foolish, probably fatal hope.
But hope nonetheless.