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“What are you doing here?” Yelena dashed to the door, peered her head out, glanced both ways, then locked it. Spinning on her heel, she looked Adelina up and down. “What in the gods’ good realm are you wearing?”

“I had to get into the palace without being recognised.”

“You are most fortunate he hasn’t been strolling the grounds. Come with me.” Yelena gestured for her to follow as she headed towards the row of bookshelves behind her. Lifting a hand, she gripped a green book and tilted it.

A lock popped.

“A door?” Adelina gasped.

Yelena gripped the bookcase door with both hands and hauled it open. “Hurry inside.”

Books were stacked on wooden chests against the walls, and a desk at the opposite end was covered in rolls of parchment. Quills were stashed in a pot, and a small chandelier hung from the ceiling.

“What is this place?” Adelina spun around to face Yelena. “Why have I not seen it before?”

“This is my private office.” Yelena paced around the desk, then rummaged through the parchment sheets. “Filip has never had cause to doubt my loyalties before, so has not seen fit to inspect it.”

“And where do your loyalties lie?” Adelina ran with the bolt of courage the adrenaline gave her.

Yelena lifted her gaze and fixed an unwavering stare on her. “My loyalties lie with what is pure and good, and I assure you, what Filip has planned for you and the three countries is far from it.”

“How do you know?” Adelina asked.

“I have remained in contact with the leaders of the Saintlandsther Council, and the Convocation of Toichrist—Nikolay and Olga. You met them at the Embassy,” Yelena said.

Adelina recalled their meeting—Nikolay had questioned Filip’s intentions and was concerned her magic would wreak havoc across the countries.

Olga, on the other hand, seemed positive about Adelina’s arrival and the involvement she would have in uniting the countries and tackling poverty in Saintlandsther.

“Yes, I remember. What about them?”

“Nikolay has always been suspicious of Filip—he knows nether magic and fears for what Filip may do with his strengthened power with you by his side. Nikolay is a sceptical man and does not tend to trust those who make promises left unfulfilled.” Yelena placed her palms on the desk and leaned forward.

“It wasn’t too long before he convinced Olga to consider the repercussions of Filip being at his full power and not being used to fulfil the promises he’s been spouting for the last ten years. ”

“I’m not sure what you’re getting at.” Adelina took a step forward. An ache throbbed in her temples.

“Nikolay and Olga have been sending me coded letters for months. Filip’s father played an instrumental role in the War.

Antanov Tarasov should have been imprisoned for his crimes—he used his powers to shapeshift into a demon.

Many astral wielders were enslaved during the War.

Many sacrificed their magic, so they escaped a life of servitude. They were killed .

“Antanov has been funding Filip’s campaign for years, which is rather clever if you think about it.

Filip is a likeable, charismatic man, and no one would think he is capable of repeating his father’s mistakes.

Filip promised he would find you and do good with your magic.

Many people believed him. Even I, for a time, believed him—and you—to be the true answer to all our problems.” Yelena gathered a stack of letters and held them in her arms.

“Wait…from my understanding, Antanov wasn’t using his powers to shapeshift.

He is a demon, sent to Kirromund by Veles.

Filip is one too. I learned this recently when I read about it.

Why would anyone let these two men roam free when they have a direct link to the underworld? ” A cold chill rippled across her body.

“People were desperate after the war. Astral magic was lost. Many wielders were killed or sacrificed their magic. Filip used this to his advantage, convinced people once he’d found you, everything would be made right again.

No more poverty, no more unfair taxes, or poor trade routes.

He promised democracy—a fair vote for everyone, no matter your status.

” A deep sadness resonated in Yelena’s eyes, accentuated by the dark circles forming around them.

“Now he has you. Have you seen any of this happening?”

A sudden guilt gripped Adelina’s heart and twisted.

“I fled the palace because he wanted to marry me. He wanted me to conceive his heirs, so the powerful bloodline didn’t end with us.

I learned his true intentions by reading correspondence between him and his father—after uniting the countries into a republic, he would’ve assumed role as permanent Emperor.

A role that would’ve stayed within our family forever. ”

“I wouldn’t condemn you to such a fate, and neither would Nikolay or Olga. Here, take these letters.” She handed the pile to Adelina.

Dropping to her knees, Adelina lay them side by side across the carpeted floor. “I don’t know how to read code.”

“It’s complex and detailed enough to give you a headache, but I’ll help you.

” She smiled. “The words were initially written backwards, then random numbers and letters were inserted between each of the original letters in the message. After several weeks, we changed it, adding in symbols and runes. We kept to this pattern over the last few months, changing our code in case anyone was intercepting our mail. The wax seals didn’t appear to be tampered with, but we couldn’t take the risk. ”

“What now? They know Filip is powerful, and they know what he intends to do with me. What are we going to do to stop him?”

The clock on the wall chimed, making Adelina jump.

“I have to go. It is time for my meeting with Filip—he wants to speak to me about a weapon forged by gods.” Yelena’s gaze narrowed on Adelina, but she let it fly over her head.

No matter how much she trusted Yelena, she wouldn’t tell her about the Sword of Light.

Not until she was absolutely certain about her loyalties.

“Natasha will be expecting me to carry out my chores. When can I see you again?” She rose.

Yelena shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t answer. It is not safe for you to stay here. ”

Adelina refused to accept this. An idea bloomed inside her mind—a plan that sent shivers down her spine and turned her blood to ice.

“I could give myself over to Filip. Offer myself in exchange for Damir and Tihana. He would let them go free, and in return, I would do his bidding. We could use this as a facade while I train in secret with you. Haven’t you noticed I no longer wear my talisman?

I am now the wielder of uncontrolled astral magic.

If you help me—prove your loyalties—then we can put a stop to him. ”

Yelena placed her fingers to her lips. “You’d willingly put your life on the line? He is not likely to let Damir go—why would he? If he kept him a prisoner, he’d be motivation to ensure you did whatever he asked of you.”

“I love and trust my husband. He would want me to do whatever it takes to keep our families—and the countries—safe. If you doubt Filip will free Damir, then he will remain a prisoner as he is now, but at least I can use my connections with the servants to safeguard his welfare. I will keep up my end of the bargain until I am ready to end him.” Adelina straightened her back and tilted her chin a notch higher.

“It seems you have made your choice,” Yelena said. “Now go at once. Don’t come back here until you’ve revealed yourself to Filip.”

∞∞ ∞

A sickly sensation wracked Adelina’s entire body, churning her insides and dousing her nerve-endings.

Her skin blazed as if someone struck a match and set her afire.

With her tongue stuck to the roof of her parched mouth, and her nails dug into the palms of her hands, she marched across the manicured lawns.

She tossed her spectacles to the ground, no longer needing or desiring the disguise it gave her. Storming through the kitchen doors, she headed for the servant room in which she’d changed earlier. If she was to hand herself over to Filip, she would not do so gently.

Ignoring Natasha’s calls from behind her, Adelina tore off her maid outfit, then threw her breeches and shirt on.

“What are you doing, miss?” Natasha gasped. “You will be spotted.”

“Precisely what I intend.” Adelina marched past Natasha, through the steaming kitchens, along the wide corridor to Filip’s office.

While adrenaline flooded her body like wildfire, she flung open the door. It banged against the wall. Filip shot a glance at her.

“Ah. You are here.” He created a steeple with his fingers and leaned back in his chair. “Perfect timing.”

She couldn’t help but notice, despite his cool demeanour, his gaze travelled over her body. He wouldn’t find the sword in her possession.

“I’ve come to make a deal.” She held her posture straight and tall.

“I did wonder what it would take to get you here.” His voice was calm, which sent a shot of rage through Adelina’s core. “It seems I have found the right price. ”

“Let’s not play games,” she said, matching his cool tone with her own, no matter how disingenuous. “You have my sister and husband. I want them set free. Unharmed.”

“Ah, your husband. Yes, the cells have done him no favours.” Filip’s lips curled up in a callous grin. “You’ll have to excuse me—games are in my nature. What do I get in return?”

“My servitude.” The words tasted sour in her mouth, and every fibre of her being fought for her to take them back. But they were spoken, and by the gleam in Filip’s eyes, she assumed his interest was piqued.

“Do tell.” He gestured to the seat opposite him at the desk separating them.

With hands flat against her thighs, she slid into the chair and fixed her unwavering stare on him. Black hair was slicked back from his face, and his equally dark stare met hers.