Secrets of the Serpent Hall

There were parts of the palace even the guards avoided.

The old chapel beneath the West Wing was one of them—called Serpent Hall in whispered tones, after the royal crest etched into its marble floor. It had once been a sanctuary.

Now it was a tomb.

And tonight, it smelled like betrayal.

Serena moved beside Damián down the torch-lit corridor, her bare feet nearly silent on the cold stone. She had shed the ceremonial gown. He had stripped off the crown and robe hours ago. What remained between them now was real.

Breath.

Purpose.

Fire.

"The letters," Serena said, her voice low. "What was in them?"

"Proof," Damián replied. "Of the former king's dealings. Corruption. Hidden alliances. Names that could bring half the council to its knees."

"And now they're gone?"

He nodded once. "Which means someone plans to use them. Or bury them again."

At the end of the corridor, the vault door stood open.

Not broken.

Unlocked.

Serena stepped forward, scanning the dust patterns on the floor.

She paused near a smear of wax and dried mud.

"Someone in boots," she murmured. "Heavy. Not military. Civilian."

Damián looked at her, faint pride flickering in his eyes.

"You were a rebel once," he said. "You think like one."

"No," she said. "I think like someone who knows what it means to be underestimated."

They followed the trail up through the library wing and into the servants' hall.

By the time they reached the outer passage, Damián stopped short.

Serena nearly ran into him.

He raised one hand. Listened.

Then—

A voice.

Soft. Familiar.

Elara.

They turned the corner just in time to see her handing something small and black to a man cloaked in gray.

The man disappeared into the shadows.

Elara turned—

And froze when she saw them.

"Elara," Serena said, stepping forward. "Who was that?"

The girl's face went pale.

"I—I didn't know what was in it," she said quickly. "He said it was a message. From a sympathizer."

"A sympathizer to who?" Damián asked, his voice deadly calm.

"To… you," Elara said weakly. "That's what he claimed."

Serena's stomach turned.

"Elara," she whispered, "did he give you a name?"

"No," she said. "But… he wore the ring."

Serena froze.

"What ring?"

Elara swallowed. "The one with the twin swords. The mark of House Serren."

Damián's silence turned sharp.

"Councilor Serren," he said. "The man who called for your removal."

Serena met his gaze.

And she knew.

This wasn't just political.

This wasn't about legitimacy.

This was a coup in motion.

They returned to the royal chamber in silence.

Damián poured himself a drink and didn't touch it.

Serena sat by the window, the collar around her throat cool against her skin.

Finally, he said it.

"He wants to destroy me."

"No," Serena said. "He wants to destroy us."

Damián turned to her.

His voice was steel.

"Then we go to war."