Chapter 56

Ember

I jolt awake before sunrise as memories from the last few days rush back to me. The wound from the rogue aches, but what unsettles me more is the captain’s determination to end my life. It is clear now that the rogue attack had been orchestrated by the captain and when that plan failed, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

I shiver as I recall someone standing outside my tent. I had called out for Prince Kaine without thinking, but it was the captain had sought me out in the night. If Prince Kaine hadn’t stepped in when he did, I would probably be dead.

Camp is quieter than usual this morning, solemn and I move slowly, trying to ignore the pain that shoots through my ribs. I finish rewrapping my bandage, and my eyes land on the charm still sitting on my pack.

I can feel Nara’s discomfort, but she remains silent. We both know something was wrong on that mission. The sudden way that I lost control over my senses wasn’t normal.

Bianca and I have always had our issues, but I don’t want to think that she intended me any harm. She’s never put much thought into her purchases; she probably just liked the look of charm and was told it had magical properties. She’s my sister, she wouldn’t try to kill me.

Nara still doesn’t speak but I can tell she doesn’t agree. I push the thought aside for now. Even if Bianca was involved, I can’t do anything about it until we get back to the palace.

I sigh. Prince Kaine has saved me twice now. I need to keep guard up.

No one talks about the attack, but Prince Kaine calls the team together just after dawn and announces we’ll return to the palace today. He doesn’t explain why but everyone already knows. The captain, one of the most trusted men in the palace, had attacked one of his own guards last night.

Orders are given, and the camp is packed with quick, efficient movements. No one questions the decision. If anyone disagrees with the decision to return early, they don’t voice it.

As we travel, I notice Prince Kaine making excuses to stay close. It seems as though he is worried about how I am holding up after the attacks.

I catch his eyes flicking in my direction when he thinks I’m not looking and when he asks me if I’m well I can tell he doesn’t just mean physically. There’s a change in the way he regards me now, it’s subtle, but I can feel the shift.

He’s different now. He’s cautious when he speaks to me, careful. Instead of the formality, of the hot and cold act I’ve grown used to there’s softness.

He’s quieter, almost tender. The thought makes my heart flutter, but I push it aside. It doesn’t matter if he cares.

Still, he lingers near my tent during stops. He checks on gear I’ve already secured. He finds reasons to speak to me, and I let him.

Nara watches him closely. "He’s hovering," she says.

He’s worried, I admit.

"That’s new."

I don’t respond. I’m not sure what to say. It is new.

His newfound concern unsettles me more than it should. I’ve spent so long keeping him at arm’s length, maintaining professional distance, that this shift makes me uneasy. I can’t decide if it’s his worry that upsets me or the fact that I like it.

When we arrive back at the palace, there is a quick debrief and then we are dismissed. I turn to leave with the other guards, but Prince Kaine stops me. “You’ll take over the Captain’s responsibilities for now,” he says, his tone measured. “At least until another replacement is agreed upon.”

I nod slowly. “Understood.”

The weight of what this means is not lost on me. I am not only relatively new, but a female. Being appointed as the captain of the guard even in the interim is a big deal.

More than that, Prince Kaine made the decision. I appreciate his respect, but I also worry about how it will look. I can’t help but worry that he has placed yet another target on my back.

I try not to worry as I turn to seek out the healer for a more proper assessment of my injuries. When that’s done, I get to work. I can already feel the shift as word of my command is relayed through the palace.

Guards who used to speak freely around me quiet when I enter a room, and whispers trail behind me in the hall. I keep my head high as I walk the halls, projecting confidence I don’t feel. I remind myself that I am capable. Prince Kaine chose me for a reason.

No one questions the orders I give, but their silence is charged. The atmosphere around me has changed. I’m not just Ember the guard anymore, I am the captain of the guard, if temporarily.

I return to my office late in the afternoon and begin reviewing the reports piling up on my desk. I sigh, relieved to be alone with my own thoughts, when Nara speaks. "You should tell him about the charm," she says, softer than usual.

Not yet. I run my fingers along the edge of the desk. There’s too much I still don’t understand.

"It almost killed us."

Bianca is my sister, and his fiancé. I need to be sure before I say anything to anyone.

I stay late organizing assignments, going over route shifts and reinforcement strategies. The rhythm of the work is familiar, comforting. It keeps my hands busy, and my thoughts focused.

Still, I glance at the charm twice while I work. It sits in my drawer now, out of sight but not out of mind. Its presence feels heavier than before.

Kaine

My stepmother is upset about my early return from the mission, but decides to forego punishment after learning of the captain’s actions.

“You were sent to gather intelligence,” she says, voice cool. “Not abandon the operation halfway through.”

“The captain compromised the team,” I answer. “He made a reckless decision and endangered a key member of the palace guard.”

She narrows her eyes. “Endangered how?”

I keep my tone measured. “The mission was an ambust. It wasn’t just poor judgment. It was deliberate.

Her fingers tap against the arm of her chair. “You believe this was sabotage?”

“I believe he may have been working with someone outside the palace,” I say. “Possibly connected to the rogue attacks. More than that, when the rogue failed to take the guards life, he was caught trying to finish the job himself.”

Her mouth tightens. For a moment, I think she’ll question me further. But instead, she simply nods once and turns her attention to the scrolls on her desk.

“Then I expect your report in writing within the day,” she says. “And I assume you’ve already removed him from his post?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. I’ll sign off on it.”

She doesn’t ask for more. I’m not sure if she believes me or simply doesn’t care. Either way, the order is approved without delay.

She doesn’t ask who the “key guard” was. If she did, I don’t know how I’d answer.

Later, as I return to my work, I find myself restless. I stand, heading in the direction Ember’s office to check on her progress with the transition. I tell myself it’s part of my duty, that I’m just ensuring the adjustment goes smoothly, but I know it’s more than that.

It’s hard not to think about the forest. About the way she looked when I found her. She was confused, unfocused, not like herself. Then, mere hours later, another attempt on her life was made. That moment hasn’t left me.

I recall what the Captain had muttered as he was dragged away. “Bianca.” I don’t know what to do with that. It could mean nothing.

It could mean everything, but without proof I have no ground to stand on. I push the thought away again, trying to clear my head.

Ember stands in my doorway, the light from the hallway casting a soft glow behind her. “I appreciate your trust,” she says. Her voice is quiet.

“You’ve earned it.”

She nods and turns to leave, but my eyes follow her until she disappears from view. I remain still for a long moment. I know I should move, return to my work, but I can’t seem to look away from where she stood.