Chapter 11: A Deal with the Prince

Kael had spent her entire life hating nobles.

Their arrogance. Their deception. Their ability to destroy lives with a single command while sitting comfortably behind their golden walls.

And now, she was standing before one of them.

A prince. A liar.

And the worst part?

He was smiling.

"You're enjoying this," Kael muttered.

Riven leaned back against the tunnel wall, arms crossed, his blue eyes glinting under the dim lantern light. "Not enjoying, exactly. More like… appreciating the irony."

Kael narrowed her eyes. "What irony?"

Riven tilted his head. "That the person who hates me most might be the one who ends up helping me."

Kael's fingers twitched toward her dagger. "I'm not helping you."

"Not yet," Riven agreed. "But you will."

Jorrik groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Can we skip to the part where you tell her the plan before she actually stabs you?"

Riven sighed dramatically. "Fine." He turned back to Kael, his smirk fading slightly. "You want answers. I want something that's buried deep in this city. Something the warlords don't want me to find. And I need to get to it before they do."

Kael folded her arms. "And what does that have to do with me?"

Riven's gaze didn't waver. "I need someone to watch my back while I find it. Someone who knows these tunnels, knows how to fight, and doesn't scare easily."

Kael exhaled slowly.

This was a mistake.

She knew it.

But—she wasn't done with him yet.

Not until she knew why his name was tangled with her past.

Not until she knew why the warlords had recognized him.

Not until she knew the truth.

Finally, she met his gaze, her voice flat. "If I agree, I'm not your bodyguard. And I'm not your ally. I'm here for my own reasons."

Riven's lips tugged up slightly. "Of course, sweetheart. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Kael turned away before she did something regrettable.

Like actually stabbing him.

*The Goodbye Before the Journey*

Kael didn't go with Riven and Jorrik immediately.

She had one last thing to do first.

The journey to Bast's hideout was quick—she took hidden paths, her steps silent, moving like a shadow.

When she arrived, Bast was already waiting, arms crossed, watching her with sharp, knowing eyes.

"You're leaving," he said. Not a question.

Kael exhaled. "For a while."

Bast tilted his head. "Because of the prince."

Kael's jaw tightened. "Because I still need answers."

Bast was silent for a long moment. Then, quietly—"Do you know who he really is?"

Kael stilled.

Bast sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I should have told you sooner," he muttered. "But I didn't want to push you into something you weren't ready for."

Kael's fingers curled. "Told me what?"

Bast met her gaze. "About your family."

The words hit her like a blade to the ribs.

Kael forced herself to breathe. "What about them?"

Bast exhaled. "Your family wasn't just any noble house. The Veyne family was one of the oldest, strongest bloodlines of knights. Your father… he was meant to be more than a noble. He was supposed to be something greater."

Kael's heart pounded in her chest.

She had always known she came from warriors. She had always known her family was skilled in combat.

But this—

This was something different.

"Why does that matter?" she asked carefully.

Bast's gaze was heavy. "Because the warlords weren't the only ones who wanted your family dead."

The air turned thick.

Kael felt something deep, cold, and dangerous settle in her stomach.

She had spent her entire life believing her family's murder had been an attack, a massacre, a tragedy.

But now—

Now she wasn't sure if it had been a warning.

Or something far worse.

She exhaled slowly. "I have to go."

Bast nodded, but there was something dark in his expression. "Be careful, girl."

Kael didn't promise anything.

She turned away, stepping into the shadows.

This wasn't just about Riven anymore.

This was about her family.

And Kael was going to find the truth.

Even if it killed her.