"Minister Halric fell."
A pause. The first voice chuckled. "So the King found his courage."
"He has allies now. The Blackthorne is not as disgraced as we hoped."
Lucien. They had been watching him. Planning his downfall just as they had Halric's rise.
"We proceed with the next phase," the voice said. "If the east doesn't burn, the crown won't listen."
That was enough. Rowan slid back, retraced his steps, and slipped into the shadows toward the stables. He had to ride tonight. If what they said was true, the rebellion wasn't political; it was military. A distraction in the east would cost them more than dignity. It would cost lives.
Back in the estate, Liora watched the candle flicker in her room. News hadn't come yet, but her gut twisted. Something was wrong. She had learned to trust these feelings.
Lucien had been absent from her side for hours now. Samuel was guarding her door tighter than usual. When she asked, he only offered, "Orders, my lady."
