Chapter 26

The halls of Valemont Manor whispered with unease. The night before had changed something—subtly but undeniably. Seraphina had always prided herself on being a hunter, but this time, she could feel the weight of unseen strings pulling her toward an unfamiliar game. And Adrian Valemont was the puppeteer.

She sat before the mirror in her chambers, her fingers idly tracing the faint bruise at her wrist, a silent reminder of last night's confrontation. Adrian had stopped her from leaving, not with force but with something far more dangerous—his understanding of her. The way he had unraveled her careful calculations, the way he had named Laurent as if placing a piece upon a board, had left her shaken.

She exhaled slowly. Enough of this. She needed to regain control.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Enter," she said, her voice cool and composed.

Her maid, Elise, stepped inside, her expression hesitant. "My lady, the Duke requests your presence in the study."

Seraphina's gaze flickered. "Did he say why?"

"No, my lady. But he insisted it was urgent."

Urgent. Adrian rarely made direct demands of her. He preferred to maneuver in shadows, let her come to conclusions on her own. This was different.

She rose, straightening her gown. If he thinks to trap me again, let him try.

—

Adrian stood by the grand fireplace, one hand resting on the mantel. A decanter of brandy sat untouched on the desk. He did not turn when she entered, but she could feel the charged stillness in the air.

"You're late," he said.

"You didn't specify a time," she countered, gliding toward the seat opposite his desk but not taking it.

He finally turned to her, his gaze heavy with something unreadable. "Sit, Seraphina."

She held his gaze, defiant, before lowering herself onto the chair.

He poured himself a glass of brandy but did not drink. "The king's council is shifting," he said. "Laurent is moving faster than I anticipated."

Seraphina stiffened. "You speak as if you've been watching him."

"I have," he admitted easily. "But you already knew that."

Her fingers curled against the armrest. "And?"

His lips curved, but there was no warmth in it. "You've been hunting in the dark, but you don't see the full picture. Laurent isn't just acting alone—he has backers."

A chill spread through her. "Who?"

Adrian took a slow sip of his brandy, then leaned forward, his voice low and precise.

"The Montverre family."

Seraphina's breath caught. Montverre. That name was a death knell. The family that had orchestrated her father's downfall. If Laurent had aligned with them, then this was far bigger than she had thought.

She forced herself to stay composed. "And what would you have me do with this information?"

His gaze was sharp, assessing. "The better question, Seraphina, is what we are going to do."

She laughed softly, though there was no amusement in it. "We? You expect me to trust you now?"

Adrian tilted his head. "I don't need your trust. I need your intelligence."

Seraphina studied him, searching for deception. But all she saw was certainty.

Adrian Valemont had woven her into his web.

And for the first time, she wasn't sure if she wanted to escape.