Lucien's POV

I waited until the palace settled into its deepest sleep before waking Elara. She looked confused when I entered her chambers dressed in dark clothing with a hooded cloak over my arm.

"Get dressed. Wear something plain and dark. We are going somewhere my mother does not know about."

"Lucien what—"

"Trust me. Please." I handed her the cloak. "What I need to show you cannot wait until morning."

She dressed quickly and followed me through passages only I knew existed. ...