loud if you st

tayed still, hands flat on chilled rock, looking out while the streets began their day like normal events were unfolding. Shop owners lifted wooden covers.

ed without

that tight s

ring the wr

ng aheadClear. I stayed still a moment longer. Moving would mean seeing myself thro

straight, face giving nothing away. Not like Father at all. While Desmond Packer spoke loudloudly left no ro

it was a fashion

"It's a competition, Eliana. Ap

of that wor

etit

even when the fear had taken

r y

space holding us apart on purpose. Beneath, the city hummed al

ited candidates," sh

h slipped out. Was t

e. Resources. Loyalty. Whoever proves most va

pensable becomes unavoidab

ipped out wit

ose. Not one pair. More than two. Moving fast. I knew that p

, then my brothers an

s. Not just family on paper, though that was true - he ranked high as a backup choice among council members. What

cker of silent laughter, never missing a detail. Secrets piled up around her as t

ate where others carried dreams. Watching - that was his way, not talking

without touching. My breath slowed as their

lightly, "this shou

said Darian, crossi

ilent. What bothered

ouncement has changed th

, I said his

rpened. "So the r

Lysette said. "Befor

ion," I said, "you're doi

is arrogant, influential, and foreign. A transnationa

oves," Lysette count

poke. "He disru

looked

owan continued. "It's about lever

e shaped my name, a knand

he prize,

throne," Dar

hen stop pretending this is about

n stillness settled like

hly. "Enough. This i

"You just taught me to sm

barely. "I did not mar

rd when I he

border conflicts," she said quietly. "Because I believed

work?"

hesi

That silence

. Notes drifted through the air - both lure and caution mixed. Visitors appeared cloaked in certainty, drive wove

od as th

since waiting can

't wrinkle. Every movement is measured, never rushed. His confidence wasn't loud - just constant. Looks could pull

way the moment

st an

performan

off, a crown-bearer from hot shores promised ships, along with alleg

n lis

iet when the

d saving," he said.

den trails under the ground. Not far below, where

almly. "I want a partnership. Control rem

d across the

ound mine - cold, steady. Danger or gai

, Lucien moved without

an rewriting h

stood sound dimming, da

oking him,"

get it." He said it

rdroom," I said.

said, "are the most

home. What stung most

I said quietly, "

ightly. "This is the comeback, E

she stood still - he

th sus

calcu

oyal headpiece on my brow. Not even sure of anything anymore. A person stood there -

my days. Life shifted under

i

rival, so that is exac

tight, never