Chapter 4

Caden's face crumpled as he realized the magnitude of his confession. "It wasn't just Lilliana," he whispered, his eyes darting frantically around the empty corridor. "The King knew."

The silver blade trembled in my hand. "What did you say?"

"Prince Calvin saw something he shouldn't have." Caden's voice cracked. "Lilliana was performing dark rituals to strengthen her position. When the prince mentioned it to his father..."

I pressed the blade closer to his throat, drawing another thin line of blood. "Finish it."

"King Magnus decided it was an opportunity," Caden whispered, tears streaming down his face. "He said without an…