The afternoon sun hung high over the Red Keep training grounds.The morning drills had finally come to an end. Dozens of recruits collapsed onto the grass, exhausted, and wooden practice swords, shields, and spears lay scattered across the field while boys groaned from aching muscles. Commander William had shown no mercy that day.Armand sat beneath the shade of a lone oak tree with Colin, Podric, Samwell, and his two direwolves stretched lazily beside them. The white wolf rested its head on Armand's lap while the black one lay watchfully beside Podric.Podric pulled off one of his leather gloves and flexed his sore fingers. "I swear Commander William enjoys watching us suffer."Samwell chuckled. "He probably dreams of making us run laps."Colin laughed. "Dreams? He definitely does."The boys burst into laughter.Armand leaned back against the tree. "I never imagined training would be this difficult."Podric grinned. "And yet..." He nudged Armand's shoulder. "You're still the best swo

Phillip barely waited for the royal court to settle after Armand had been dragged away before he turned sharply and stormed through the palace doors, his cloak sweeping behind him.He needed answers, and there was only one person who could give them to him: Darius.Phillip crossed the capital's crowded streets without acknowledging anyone as his mind raced. Father is alive. How did that boy know? How did Armand know the wine was poisoned?Within the hour, Phillip reached Darius's house and shoved the door open without knocking."Where is he?" A servant pointed nervously toward the upper floor, and Phillip climbed the stairs two at a time.He threw Darius's bedroom door open to find Darius sitting comfortably on his bed with a young woman beside him. The woman gasped, and Phillip pointed toward the door. "Get out." She stared, so Darius said, "Phillip—" but Phillip cut him off with "OUT!" and she quickly grabbed her clothes and hurried past him.Phillip slammed the door and turned, fur

Gwen grabbed Armand’s arm before he could reach the door. "Armand, where are you going?""The palace.""No." She stepped in front of him. "You can’t go there."Armand stared at her. "The King has been stabbed.""I know.""Then why are you trying to stop me?""Because you’re a fugitive!" Her voice cracked. "The entire kingdom believes you tried to poison the King, and you were thrown into a dungeon. They were going to keep you there!""But the King wants me.""You don’t know that."Armand looked toward the forest. "Something is wrong, Gwen.""Something has been wrong since you met that druid."Armand went silent, and Gwen stepped closer. "Every time something happens, you run toward danger — the forest, the bandits, the border, the poisoned wine, and now this.""I can’t just sit here.""You can!" She grabbed his hand. "For once, you can let somebody else save the King."Armand looked into her eyes. "I already saw him die."Gwen froze. "What?"Armand swallowed. "Before the feast, Ashake

The great doors of the royal court opened, and every conversation inside immediately stopped.Two guards entered first, and behind them came Armand, Colin, and Liora.Armand’s eyes moved across the crowded chamber as dozens of regents sat on either side of the hall, their faces serious as they watched them approach.Liora looked nervous, Colin stayed close to her, and Armand noticed Phillip standing near the center of the court. Their eyes met, but Phillip’s expression was unreadable.The three of them stopped before the regents, and the eldest regent rose. "Princess Liora. Prince Colin. Armand. We have summoned you because your late father, King MacGil, apparently made his decision regarding the succession before his death."He paused. "We want the truth."His eyes settled on Liora. "Who did the King choose as his successor?"Liora opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Colin stepped forward. "I know."The court became silent, and Colin swallowed. "A few months ago, Father sum