The third day arrived with unexpected news.
I was in the war room reviewing trade agreements—the tedious but necessary work of actually governing—when Ethan burst through the doors without ceremony.
"Your Highness, you need to come to the dungeons immediately."
The urgency in his voice sent ice through my veins. "Is it Aeric? Has he—"
"He's received a visitor. Someone who bypassed every security measure we have, walked straight into the deepest dungeon in the empire, and is currently having a conversation with our most dangerous prisoner." Ethan's expression was grim. "We don't know how they got in. We don't know what they want. We just know they're there, and our guards can't even see them."
"Can't see them?" Darius demanded, already moving toward the door.
"They're physically present—guards hear voices, see shadows—but can't focus on the figure directly. Some kind of magical concealment beyond anything we've encountered."
We ran.
