The palace slept under the pale light of the moon. Guards patrolled the courtyard in pairs, their boots crunching softly against the stone paths. Inside the royal quarters, everything was quiet except for the slow, even rhythm of breathing.

Liora stirred. Sweat beaded along her forehead, and her fingers gripped the sheets tightly. Her heart pounded. A voice echoed inside her mind — firm, low, and unmistakably familiar.

“Someone desires your fall.”

Her eyes snapped open. The voice ...