Seraphina pulled her cloak tight as she walked down the garden path. The air was damp and cold. Clouds covered the sky, and there was no moonlight to guide her. She kept her head down and moved quickly, making as little noise as possible.
She had walked this path before. The last time was during a royal ball. Everyone had acted happy, smiling and laughing like nothing was wrong. That night was when she realized most of the people at court were dishonest. Very few could be trusted. That was the night she also learned how many people stayed quiet because it was easier than standing up for what was right.
Caelan Vorenthal was one of the few she thought might be different.
That was why she was here, meeting him in secret. The old well at the far edge of the garden was far from the main palace. The guards didn't patrol this area. It was quiet and mostly ignored. That made it a good place to talk. If something went wrong, it would take time for anyone to reach them. But it was a risk she was willing to take.
Since returning to court, Seraphina had been careful. She had spoken to old allies, found problems in the treasury records, and pulled support from houses loyal to Alaric. She wasn't openly challenging him, but everyone knew she was no longer doing nothing.
That alone made her a threat.
She had noticed strange things already. A broken saddle during a hunt. A cup of tea that smelled off. These weren't accidents. She knew the court's ways. They rarely attacked directly. They used subtle tricks. And if that failed, they sent people to kill.
Her hand stayed close to the dagger under her cloak. It wasn't much, but it made her feel less exposed. She slowed as she approached the well. The clearing was still. No noise. No motion. That wasn't a comfort, it meant whoever was here was waiting.
Caelan and Alaric were both powerful, but they were opposites.
Alaric was from a long line of politicians. He dressed well, spoke smoothly, and knew how to make people like him. Everything he did was calculated.
Caelan was from the north. His family had defended the mountain borders for generations. He didn't talk much. He didn't need to. When he did speak, people listened.
Alaric used charm to hide what he wanted. Caelan didn't hide anything. He didn't have to.
Seraphina chose the well on purpose. It had been here long before the palace. Some said it had magic. That it could tell if someone was lying. She didn't really believe it, but she wanted it to be true tonight.
She saw Caelan standing by the well. He didn't move or speak.
She walked forward and pulled down her hood.
"Vorenthal," she said.
"Your Grace," he replied.
"No titles. Just honesty."
He gave a short nod. They stood in silence for a while.
"You're risking a lot," he said.
"So are you."
He didn't flinch.
"I remember more than they think I do," she said.
Another pause. Then a nod.
"You want allies," he said.
"I want to clean out the corruption," she replied. "And I need people who still care about doing the right thing."
He didn't answer right away, but she saw him weigh her words. Then he nodded. That was enough for now.
She glanced around the clearing. "You ever come here before?" she asked, surprising herself.
"Once," Caelan said. "Years ago. I don't like waiting in places I don't control."
"Neither do I," she said. "But there aren't many safe places left."
He looked past her then, scanning the tree line. "You picked well."
"I hope so," she said. "I'm running out of places to hide."
The silence shifted.
She noticed it before she heard anything. The garden had gone too quiet. Even the breeze had stopped.
Then came the sound, soft footsteps on stone.
Six people stepped out of the shadows. Dark cloaks. Blades ready. No words. Just action.
This wasn't a warning.
They were here to kill.
And not sent by Alaric. He still needed her alive for his image, his claim. This came from someone else. Someone who saw her as a threat and wanted to stop her early.
They moved like professionals. Sharp, efficient. Not random killers. Someone rich had paid for this.
Caelan didn't hesitate. He took down the first attacker without pause.
"Stay behind me," he said.
Seraphina didn't. She grabbed a fallen dagger and stood her ground.
One attacker rushed at her. She sidestepped and stabbed low, hitting his leg. He stumbled back.
The fight broke out fast. Metal hit metal. Feet slammed into stone. Grunts filled the air. Caelan moved like he'd trained for this his whole life. Seraphina kept low, watching and reacting. She wasn't as skilled, but she could hold her own.
She didn't want to die. Not tonight.
"You're bleeding," Caelan said.
She looked at her arm. A shallow cut.
"It's fine."
She wiped her dagger on a cloak and checked the ground around her. Three of the attackers were down. The others had retreated or fallen.
Her magic buzzed beneath her skin. She could heal others. She could close wounds and remove poisons. But it didn't work well on her own body. A family trait. She could survive poison better than most, but cuts lingered.
She focused on staying calm. She didn't need perfect healing right now. She just needed to stay standing.
They waited in silence. But no more attackers came.
Someone had tried to end her. Tried and failed.
Caelan looked at her again.
"You shouldn't have come alone."
"I didn't have a choice."
His eyes moved from the cut on her arm to the bruises starting to form. She didn't flinch.
"You're not who they think you are."
"And you're not who they act like they fear."
They stared at each other for a moment.
"They'll try again," he said.
"I know."
"You'll need more than a sword."
"That's why I need you."
He paused. Then gave another nod.
"You have my blade. For now."
Not a vow. But a start.
The clouds shifted. The moonlight fell across the garden. Blood marked the path. The air smelled of metal and sweat.
Farther inside, the palace still buzzed with laughter and music. Guests drank and danced, oblivious to what had just happened in the shadows beyond the hedges.
Seraphina looked around once more, memorizing the scene. The bodies. The weapons. The small details. Whoever had sent these men would ask for answers when they didn't return. And she planned to be ready for what came next.
"Someone made a move tonight," she said quietly.
"Yes," Caelan said. "And now they'll wait to see if it worked."
"It didn't."
"No," he agreed. "But it won't be the last."
Seraphina took a slow breath. Her hands were steady. Her mind was clear.
She turned toward the direction of the palace. "I'll be at the council meeting tomorrow. They won't expect it. Not after this."
"You'll need someone watching your back."
"That's why you're coming," she said.
He gave a small smile. "Then I'll be there."
This wasn't just a conversation anymore.
This was the start of a war.
And they had drawn first blood.