Rivena's words hung in the air like something too heavy to fall.
"There's a conspiracy… it's already inside the kingdom."
For a heartbeat, everything was quiet.
Brandon didn't move at first. His jaw tightened, then slowly eased, like he was forcing himself to stay in control.
Emma felt it before she fully understood it—the shift in the chamber. The air felt thicker, sharper.
Her gaze moved from Brandon back to Rivena.
"Inside the kingdom… who?" Brandon asked at last, his voice low and controlled, but without warmth.
Rivena flinched.
Her fingers twisted in her sleeves. "I don't know names," she said quickly. "I swear I don't."
Brandon took a step forward.
Rivena pulled back into the chair.
"I only heard titles… ranks," she added, voice trembling. "People who don't move in the open. Nobles who don't need to."
Emma's brows drew together. "So this isn't just Damon."
Rivena shook her head fast. "Damon is only in the middle. There's a wolf above him."
