CHPTER 22: THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL

The castle was deathly silent in the aftermath of battle. Where once there had been grandeur, now lay destruction—walls scorched by fire, floors stained with blood. Chandeliers that once illuminated the great halls hung shattered, their crystals scattered like fallen stars. The scent of charred wood and iron lingered in the air, a grim reminder that even victory came at a terrible price. Outside the castle walls, the banners of the fallen lay tattered in the wind, the echoes of swords clashing and men screaming now a distant memory.

Evelynn sat at Darius's bedside, her hands trembling as she pressed a damp cloth to his wound. His breathing was steady but labored, each rise and fall of his chest a painful reminder of how close she had come to losing him. The once-mighty warrior, feared and revered across the kingdom, now lay fragile beneath the weight of his injuries. His dark hair was damp with sweat, his skin pallid from blood loss. The sight of him so vulnerable sent a sharp ache through her heart.

"You should rest," Lucien's voice broke the silence from the doorway, his tone softer than usual, though laced with a quiet urgency.

Evelynn turned to look at him, exhaustion evident in her eyes. "I'll rest when I know he's perfectly safe." Her voice wavered slightly, betraying the fear she had buried deep inside.

Lucien hesitated before stepping fully into the dimly lit chamber. The usual confidence he carried seemed diminished, replaced by something far more unsettling. His clothes were still stained with blood—some of it his, but much of it not. He sank into a chair nearby, running a hand through his unkempt hair.

"We have another problem," he said grimly.

Evelynn's posture tensed. "What now?"

Lucien exhaled, his expression dark. "The council is questioning Darius's right to the throne. His injury has made them uneasy. They fear he's weak… vulnerable."

Her fingers curled into fists. "After everything he's done? After everything he's sacrificed?"

Lucien shook his head. "Fear breeds doubt. And worse, there are whispers—some believe Kael's forces had inside help."

Evelynn's blood ran cold. Betrayal. The word alone sent a chill through her.

Before she could respond, a faint groan drew her attention back to Darius. His golden eyes flickered open, hazy with pain.

"You're awake," she whispered, relief washing over her like a tide.

Darius tried to sit up, only to wince sharply, his muscles trembling from the effort. "How long?"

"Two days," Evelynn answered softly. "You lost a lot of blood. We were afraid you wouldn't wake up. I was afraid."

His gaze floated over to Lucien, then back to her. "The battle?"

Lucien leaned forward. "We won. But there's unrest. The council is questioning your rule. They see your wounds as a sign of weakness."

A bitter smirk touched Darius's lips. "Of course, they are." He let his head fall back against the pillow, his expression unreadable.

Evelynn reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "We'll face them together."

His eyes softened, a quiet gratitude in them. "You always say that."

"And I always mean it."

A sudden knock at the door shattered the moment. A guard stepped in, his face grim. "Your Majesty, there's someone demanding an audience. A woman... she claims to have information about the betrayal."

Evelynn and Lucien exchanged wary glances before Darius nodded. "Bring her in."

Moments later, the heavy doors creaked open, and a hooded figure was led into the chamber. She hesitated at the threshold, then slowly pulled back her hood, revealing piercing emerald eyes and cascading raven-black hair. There was an air of quiet confidence about her, but also a guarded wariness, as though she knew the danger of what she was about to say.

"My name is Selene," she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the room. "And I know who betrayed you."

The air thickened with unease.

Darius's jaw tightened. "Speak."

Selene took a breath. "The attack wasn't just a battle. It was an assassination attempt—someone in your inner circle is feeding information to Kael's forces. They knew exactly when and where to strike."

Evelynn's heart pounded. "Who?"

Selene's gaze flickered to Lucien before returning to Darius. "The traitor is someone close. Someone you trust."

A heavy silence fell over the room, thick with the weight of her words.

Lucien's face darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. "That's a dangerous accusation," he said sharply. "You better have proof."

Selene nodded. "I wouldn't have come here without it. Documents intercepted from one of Kael's messengers—detailed battle plans, entry points, weaknesses. They were written by someone within your council." She reached into her cloak and withdrew a small leather pouch, placing it on the table beside Darius. "The handwriting is unmistakable."

Darius's fingers curled into the sheets, his expression hardening. His golden eyes, dimmed by fever and exhaustion, burned with renewed intensity. "Then we find them," he said, his voice like sharpened steel. "And when we do, there will be no mercy."

Evelynn met his gaze, her own resolve burning just as fiercely. There would be no second chances, no misplaced trust. Whoever had betrayed them had nearly cost them everything.

A storm was coming, and this time, there would be no forgiveness.