Lyra had given her. She knew she had to be careful, but she als

y the window, staring out at the gardens. He seemed lost in though

he said, trying to

rincess," he said, his voice low. "I see y

ng," she said. "But I have to ask, w

st in his eyes. "Lord Ravenswood is a complex man, Princess," he sai

ael's. "You don't know?" she

e says he wants, Princess," he said. "B

What did Kael mean? And what w

im, then?" Eliana asked, try

that sometimes the enemy of my enemy can be my friend," he said

owed. "What kind of

ood has a certain...flexibility when it comes to his loyalt

n her spine. She didn't like

ana realized that she needed to know more about the king's mot

, Your Majesty?" Eliana

aluable asset," he said. "You have skills and knowledge that could be useful to m

. "You want me to work with you?"

s," he said. "I do. And I believe that

e he? She was a princess of Eldrador,

ith you," Eliana sa

his eyes. "We'll see about that, Princess," he said. "You have a lot to

se of unease. What did he mean? And what wo

lso knew she couldn't give in. She would f

Eliana couldn't shake the feeling that she was in gra

She was trapped in the castle, with no way to escape and no one to turn to.

yra again. The advisor was standing by the fountain, watc

oice low. "I see you're still

wed. "What do you wa

lp you, Princess," she said. "I want t

was piqued. "What do

eem, Princess," she said. "He's driven by a desire for power, but there's more

onto Lyra's. "What d

id. "He's lost people he loved, and he's driven by a desire for revenge. But there's more to

ael's past, about what might drive him. She had assumed

with me?" Eliana asked, her

id. "He believes that by using you, he can gain the upper hand in his war against Eldrador. But

rowed. "What does

ng. You see, King Kael is not just a ruthless king. He's a complex man, driven by a mix of motivation

nted to trust Lyra, to believe that she was telling the truth. But another

ke a decision. She could trust Lyra, or she could try to go it alone. But either way, she

a said finally. "I'll thi

e said. "I'm glad you're willing to listen. N

heart pounding in her chest. What was she getting h