Caius's POV
The war room was dimly lit, the scent of old parchment and burning torches filling the air. Around me stood a mixture of allies—men and women who had fought beside me before, and some who had every reason to betray me.
Rowan sat lazily against the table, arms crossed, watching me with that infuriating smirk. Valerian stood by the window, silent but present. Others, warriors and strategists, murmured in hushed voices.
I looked at all of them and spoke with unwavering conviction.
"We strike at dawn."
Murmurs turned into uneasy whispers.
"Are we truly ready?" one knight asked, shifting on his feet. "We're going against the king's forces in the heart of his own city. Even with General Valerian on our side, we're outnumbered."
"I don't need numbers," I replied. "I need precision."
My fingers traced the map laid out on the table. Every tunnel, every hidden passage. I had studied this city for years. The king thought he had me trapped, but he had no idea what was coming.
Rowan sighed dramatically. "As much as I love a reckless plan, there's something you're forgetting, Caius."
I glared at him. "What?"
He grinned. "The king knows you're coming."
That stopped me for a second.
Of course he knew. He wasn't a fool. He was waiting for me.
Waiting for us.
I clenched my jaw. It didn't matter.
I was coming for Eloise. No matter what trap lay ahead.
Eloise's POV
The chains had been removed, but I still wasn't free.
The king stood before me, swirling his wine goblet absentmindedly, a cruel smirk playing at his lips.
"You look at me with such hatred," he mused, tilting his head. "Is it because you think your knight will come for you?"
I didn't answer.
He sighed dramatically and set his drink down before stepping closer. Too close.
"I'll tell you something, Eloise." His fingers lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Caius has always been predictable. He fights for the lost, the broken. He's driven by his guilt and his love for you." His smirk widened. "And that's why he will fall."
A chill ran through me.
"What are you planning?" I demanded.
The king chuckled, stepping away. "I don't need to do anything, dear." He turned toward the window, gazing over his kingdom. "The moment Caius enters this city, he will walk straight into my hands."
I swallowed hard. No.
I had written kings before—tyrants, rulers who bent others to their will. But this was different. This wasn't just a story anymore.
This was real.
And Caius was walking into a trap.
Caius's POV
The city was silent at dawn. Too silent.
My hand tightened around my sword hilt as we moved through the alleyways, our small force creeping toward the castle. Valerian led the soldiers through the main gate, creating a distraction.
I took the hidden tunnels.
Eloise was waiting. I could feel it.
And so was the king.
As we neared the castle walls, Rowan exhaled dramatically beside me. "So, remind me—how are we not going to die?"
I shot him a glare. "Keep your voice down."
He smirked but obeyed.
We reached the hidden entrance, a narrow passage leading inside. Everything was going smoothly. Too smoothly.
Then the alarms rang.
And all hell broke loose.
———
Eloise's POV
The moment the alarms rang, I knew.
Caius is here.
The king's smirk never faltered. If anything, he looked amused. He turned to me, swirling his wine as if he were enjoying a private performance.
"He's early," he mused. "Impatient as always."
My heart pounded against my ribs. I knew this was a trap. The king had planned for this, and yet—Caius had come anyway. For me.
I clenched my fists. I can't just sit here.
The king watched me carefully, reading my every movement. "Do you know why I haven't locked you away in the dungeons, Eloise?"
I refused to answer.
He stepped forward, his cold fingers brushing my wrist. I flinched, but he gripped it tightly, pulling me close.
"Because you are far more dangerous than Caius." His breath ghosted against my skin. "He swings a sword. You rewrite fate."
I swallowed back the fear, meeting his gaze. "If you know that, then you should know I will never let you win."
His grip tightened painfully. "Oh, but I already have."
The doors burst open.
A squadron of royal guards entered, their armor glinting under the torchlight.
"Take her to the tower," the king ordered. "She will watch him die."
My stomach dropped.
"No—"
The guards seized me before I could fight back. I struggled, kicking, thrashing—but I was still weak. My power was drained, and my body had yet to recover.
They forced me forward, dragging me out of the chamber. My vision blurred, panic clawing at my throat.
Caius.
I had to warn him.
I had to do something.
The Tower
The room was high above the city, with open archways overlooking the battlefield below. The guards locked the door behind me, leaving me alone.
I ran to the edge.
Below, the city burned. Chaos spread through the streets like wildfire. I could see figures clashing—knights, rebels, soldiers.
And in the center of it all—
Caius.
His sword cut through enemies with ruthless precision, his movements a blur of steel and blood. He fought like a man possessed, his eyes burning with determination.
For me.
Tears welled in my eyes. He wasn't thinking about the danger. He wasn't thinking about the trap. He was only thinking about getting to me.
And he was going to die for it.
I clenched my fists. No.
I wouldn't let this happen.
Not again.
I staggered back from the ledge, my vision swimming. My power was weak, but I could still write.
With shaking hands, I reached for my pen.
The moment my fingers closed around it, the ink glowed.
I took a deep breath and pressed the tip to the air.
And I wrote.
Caius will not die today.
Below, on the battlefield, fate shifted.