Eloise's POV
The air in the king's chamber was thick with perfume and smoke, an oppressive mixture that made my head swim. My wrists were bruised from the golden chains that bound me to the throne's armrest—not tight enough to cut off circulation, but enough to remind me that I was a prisoner.
A prized prisoner.
King Aldric sat beside me, watching the court with mild amusement. His fingers traced the rim of his wine goblet, but his real amusement was in my suffering.
"You look exhausted, my dear," he murmured, voice filled with false concern. "Are the accommodations not to your liking?"
I said nothing. I had stopped speaking to him hours ago, maybe even days. Time had blurred since he took me.
His smirk grew when I refused to answer. "You'll speak to me soon enough."
A sharp pain bloomed in my shoulder where his fingers had dug in earlier. He liked to remind me who was in control, but he underestimated me.
I wouldn't break.
I couldn't afford to.
Because I knew—I knew—that Caius would come for me.
Caius's POV
"You should leave."
Valerian's voice was colder than the steel of his sword. He stood tall, arms crossed, gaze as sharp as ever. No warmth. No flicker of brotherly affection. Just a wall—one that had stood between us for years.
"I can't." My voice was firm. "Not without your answer."
Valerian exhaled through his nose, a slow, measured breath of irritation. "And what answer do you expect? You want me to commit treason for you?"
"I want you to see what our king is doing," I snapped, stepping closer. "He's taken her, Valerian. He's taken her and you know what that means."
His jaw tightened. That was the only reaction I got, but it was enough.
I pressed on.
"He's going to use her. Control her. And if he succeeds, if he breaks her... then there's no kingdom left. Just a monster sitting on a throne."
A tense silence stretched between us. Valerian's expression didn't change, but I saw something flicker in his eyes. Something old. Something human.
Then, finally—
"I don't fight for you, Caius." His voice was quieter now, almost distant. "I fight for the people."
I didn't move. "Then fight for them now."
His gaze held mine, searching, judging. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Rowan, who had been leaning against the stone wall, let out a low whistle. "Well, that went great."
I ignored him, my fists clenching.
Valerian didn't give a clear answer. But he also didn't say no.
That was enough for now.
Eloise's POV
The door slammed open.
A courtier rushed in, panting heavily as he bowed before the king.
"Sire! It's—it's General Valerian! He's mobilizing troops near the city border!"
The king stiffened. His grip on his goblet tightened before he set it down with careful precision.
"Is that so?" he murmured, voice deceptively light. "How... unexpected."
My heart pounded. Valerian?
That could only mean one thing.
Caius was coming.
Hope flared in my chest, bright and unyielding. I clutched onto it, even as the king's fingers brushed against my cheek, his touch a silent warning.
"Hold on, Eloise."
"Caius is coming."
"He will return to me."
"I believe in you, Caius."