Chapter 9 · The Warning in Her Mother's Voice

Rin's hand didn't shake. That was the problem. The blade pressed into Kael's throat, cold metal on warm skin, and her hand was steady as stone. She could feel his pulse under the edge. Fast. Not panicked. Just fast.

He didn't move. Didn't try to knock the blade away or call for his guards or do any of the things a prince should do when someone put a knife to his neck. He just stood there, eyes locked on hers, and waited.

"You heard it," Rin said. Her voice came out flat. Empty. "My mother's voice. She said not to trust you."

"I heard it."

"So give me one reason I shouldn't finish this right now."

Kael's jaw tightened. She could see the muscle jump under his skin, could feel the heat of him even through the thin silk of his collar. They were too close. She should've stepped back. Put distance between them. But the door was still smoking behind her and the air still smelled like burnt stone and if she moved now, if she let him breathe, she'd lose whatever tiny edge she had.

"Because," Kael said quietly, "that recording isn't real."

Rin's grip tightened. "Don't.