Lynx Jane stood in the heart of the grand ballroom, her sharp eyes scanning the sea of gilded masks and flowing silk. The grand hall of Velmora Palace was alive with music—soft, lilting strings that barely rose above the hum of whispered conversations. Nobles in elaborate attire mingled around her, laughter echoing through the space like an unwelcome reminder of a world she had left behind.
It had been years since Lynx had stepped foot in the palace of the usurper, her family's once-proud home. The towering chandeliers above glowed with a thousand crystal lights, casting the entire ballroom in a shimmering, ethereal glow, but to her eyes, it was all nothing but an illusion—a gilded cage.
The Ashen Masquerade. A celebration of power and deceit. Every year, the nobility gathered beneath their delicate masks, pretending to be something they were not. For Lynx, it was more than just a gathering of the elite. It was a chance to strike, to begin her vengeance.
Her family had been murdered in cold blood by King Malrec Velmora, the man who had seized the throne after slaughtering her own bloodline. Lynx was the last of the Velmora family, hidden away in exile, learning the arts of war, the skills of manipulation, and most importantly—how to kill.
Her father, once the rightful ruler, had been betrayed by those closest to him. Her mother had been taken in the night, and her younger brother, Aric, had vanished without a trace. The royal family of Velmora was no more, and in their place stood the usurper, King Malrec, and his son, the prince.
Lucien Velmora.
Lynx clenched her jaw at the thought of the prince, her former kin. The son of the man who had destroyed everything she had known. But Lucien was different from his father. That much she could tell. His loyalty to his father's rule was questionable at best, but he was a Velmora. His blood ran through her veins, and that made him dangerous, unpredictable.
Her plan, however, did not include him. At least, not yet.
The ballroom was full of familiar faces—nobles she had once known, their features obscured behind silver and gold masks. The court had changed since her exile, but its core remained the same. Power. Manipulation. Lies.
She moved through the crowd with the grace of a predator, her gaze cutting through the noise. She had no intention of getting caught in trivial conversations. Tonight, her goal was clear.
Lynx's first target was Lord Cedric Marrow, the general who had been instrumental in her father's downfall. His deep, booming laugh echoed through the room as he engaged in conversation with a group of noblewomen, boasting about his recent military successes. He was arrogant, self-satisfied, and oblivious to the danger stalking him.
Lynx's lips curled into a subtle smile as she drew closer, her hand brushing against the cool crystal of her glass. She was a vision of poise and grace—exactly what the court expected. She could feel their eyes on her as she passed, their curiosity palpable. They thought her just another beautiful face, another mask to add to the pageantry of the court. But beneath the elegance, her mind was sharp, calculating. Every step she took was part of a larger plan, each movement designed to lure her prey closer.
Lord Marrow, noticing her approach, turned with an exaggerated smile. His eyes gleamed as he looked her over, clearly intrigued by her beauty and mystery. "Lady Jane," he said, his voice dripping with false charm. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure."
Lynx gave him a small, practiced smile, letting the mask of politeness fall into place. "We have not, my lord," she replied smoothly. "But I've heard much about you. Your reputation precedes you."
Marrow chuckled, clearly pleased by the attention. "I do try to make an impression," he said, running a hand through his silver-streaked hair. "But I'm sure you've heard of my military successes? The campaigns in the northern territories? Remarkable achievements, if I do say so myself."
Lynx tilted her head slightly, her lips curling. "Yes, I've heard much about your campaigns. It's remarkable, truly. How you and your comrades—especially your king—managed to strip an entire family of their power and cast them into the flames of history."
Marrow's smile faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing, but only for a fraction of a second. The mask of charm remained intact. "Ah, yes. The Velmora family. A shame, truly, that they couldn't hold onto their throne." He shrugged, dismissing the topic with a wave of his hand. "Such is the way of the world."
Lynx's fingers tightened around the glass in her hand. "Such is the way of betrayal, I suppose."
Marrow's smile returned, but it was colder now. "You have a sharp tongue, Lady Jane. Perhaps you've spent too much time in the shadows."
"I've spent my time in many places," Lynx replied softly. "But now, I prefer to walk in the light."
She turned away, leaving Lord Marrow with a lingering look that spoke volumes. He was only the first piece of the puzzle, a small target compared to what lay ahead. But his death, like all the others who had wronged her family, would send a message. The game had begun.
As the night continued, Lynx moved through the palace like a shadow, her steps deliberate and silent. She passed countless faces, none of them important. Not yet, at least. Her focus was razor-sharp, but in the back of her mind, something gnawed at her—a flicker of something familiar in the distance.
She glanced across the ballroom and locked eyes with him.
Lucien Velmora. The prince.
He was standing near the balcony, speaking with a group of nobles, his dark eyes scanning the room, his posture regal, but his gaze... it was different. It was distant. As though he were detached from the game being played around him.
Lynx could feel the pull between them, a tension in the air that crackled. The son of the man who had destroyed everything she held dear, standing in the same room as her.
It would have been easy to ignore him, to pretend that he was just another part of the court. But something in his eyes told her otherwise. He was more than just a prince. There was a story behind those eyes, a secret that he hadn't revealed to anyone.
And Lynx would uncover it.
She moved towards him, her steps light, her heart steady. This was the moment she had been waiting for—the moment when everything would change.