Kael survived.
But the blade that struck him was not ordinary.
"It was coated in void venom," the royal healer said. "A poison used only by elite shadow guards."
Elaria's eyes darkened.
"Shadow guards were disbanded seventeen years ago."
"Not all of them," Kael muttered.
Later that night, as Kael rested, Elaria entered the forbidden archives beneath the palace.
There, hidden in ancient scrolls, she found something terrifying.
A prophecy.
"When Shadowfire rises again,
The Crown shall bleed before it burns eternal.
Trust will fracture.
Love will be tested.
And the true enemy will wear a familiar face."
Her breath caught.
A familiar face.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
She turned.
Draven stood at the doorway.
"You shouldn't read things that were meant to stay buried, Your Majesty."