Cedric raised a hand half-heartedly. “I’ll save us the time, Your Highness—Thalen told us he saw the High Preceptor in the Halls of Seals at night, acting suspicious. We figured it was worth a look.”
Evelyne froze mid-step. “He saidwhat?”
Alaric gave a single, sheepish nod. “We thought it sounded... credible. He looked worried.”
A beat passed. Evelyne stared at them both, until her brows lifted ever so slightly. Then she closed her eyes and let out a long exhale. “He was lying.”
Alaric blinked. “He was?”
She folded her arms. “Today he toldmehe saw Ravik in the Halls of Seals, acting suspicious.”
Cedric shifted his attention from her to Alaric, then to the hallway behind them. A crooked grin spread across his face—part amusement, part disbelief, part reluctant admiration. “Well. Shit.”
Vesena, standing just behind Evelyne, frowned. “I don’t understand.”
Alaric rested his weight against the pillar, a glint sparking in his expression. “He played us.” His mouth curved into a slow, wry grin. “Stars, he’s a cunning little thing.”
Evelyne exhaled, pressing her fingers to her temple for just a second. “Yes,” she muttered. “Cunning. Congratulations to us all. We just got outmaneuvered by a ten-year-old.”
Cedric rubbed his temples. “Future king of Edrathen, ladies and gentlemen.”
Alaric let out a low chuckle. Vesena remained bewildered, as though no one had ever managed to outwit her. Evelyne didn’t join in—her expression sharpened, already calculating retribution.
Gods, she hoped Thalen had done it just to make them talk. Not because he knew about Ravik or about the shape of the storm they were circling.
But she’d be lying to herself if she believed that.
Thalen had always seen more than he should. He listened when adults forgot he was in the room, followed guards when they assumed he’d gone to bed. She needed to speak with him. Soon. Before curiosity became danger.
He wasn’t supposed to carry secrets.
And above all, she prayed he didn’t know about this place.
“So while we’re all here,” Alaric began, causing Evelyne to look at him. “I have something you’ll want to know.”
Evelyne crossed her arms. “I’m listening.”
Alaric’s expression turned thoughtful. “Mmm. Tempting. But information this intriguing deserves a little courtship.”
Evelyne’s jaw tensed. “Alaric.”
“Evelyne,” he mimicked, with a perfectly infuriating smile. “Come now. You barge in here like a storm in velvet, act as though I’ve crashed your sacred mission, and expect me to just hand over my findings like some... obliging butler?”
“Preferably, yes.”
“Well, then you’re going to be disappointed.”
“That seems to be a theme around you.”
Alaric raised a brow at her. “I will tell you what, Princess. You admit—just once—that having me here is not the worst thing in the world... and I’ll consider sharing.”
Evelyne stared at him. Deadpan. Emotionless. A perfectly sculpted mask of disdain. “I’m afraid I’ve already promised my time to something far less tedious.”
“Why are you so stubborn?” Alaric asked. “We could’ve been out of here ages ago. With actionable intel and, ideally, a passionate kiss to seal the collaboration. Romance with a touch of mortal peril is the finest kind. Adds flavor.”
Evelyne huffed.
Alaric chuckled softly under his breath. Which only made her want to stab him a little.
