The King's Guard

Chapter 61

The library’s back hall smelled of dust and ink, lanterns guttering faintly. Kael sat with an open tome before him, though his eyes hadn’t moved across the page in minutes.

A voice cut the silence.

“You read like someone waiting for a knife.”

Kael turned. Kyna leaned against the stone pillar, arms crossed, a small smirk hiding sharp eyes.

“You shouldn’t sneak up on people,” Kael said.

“You shouldn’t look so easy to sneak up on.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “We need to talk.”

Kael closed the book. “About Jared?”

“Not this time.” Her tone shifted to serious. “About Archon.”

Kael frowned. “What about him?”

Kyna glanced around, then sat opposite him. “You think Jared’s the problem. He’s only half of it. Archon is the other half.”

Kael studied her. “That’s a big claim.”

“It’s not a claim.” She leaned in. “It’s a warning.”

Kael arched a brow. “You’re starting with warnings now? That’s unlike you.”

“I’ve learned to pick my moments,” she replied coolly. “And this one’s worth your attention.”

He folded his arms. “Go on.”

“You’ve noticed how Archon’s been holding meetings without the council?”

Kael hesitated. “Rumours.”

“They’re not rumours. He’s consolidating command. Jared’s movements are being monitored. Even yours.”

Kael’s tone sharpened. “Monitored? How do you know?”

Kyna smiled faintly. “Because I was the one who intercepted the message meant for you.”

He leaned forward. “You what?”

“I had to be sure,” she said simply. “You’re too trusting, Kael. You still think people play fair when the board’s already burning.”

He exhaled slowly. “And you think Archon’s behind it all?”

“I know he is.” Her gaze flicked to the shadows between the shelves. “He’s planning something, and Jared’s too entangled to see it. You’ve seen how quickly orders change the moment Archon walks in. How the air shifts. Everyone feels it… they just won’t admit it.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “You’re treading on dangerous ground, Kyna.”

She gave a humourless laugh. “I live on dangerous ground. Don’t pretend you don’t, too.”

He looked at her, the lanternlight catching the gold flecks in her eyes. “What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing rash,” she said. “Just... keep your eyes open. Watch what he does, not what he says.”

“And if you’re wrong?”

“Then I’ll owe you an apology.” She leaned back, expression darkening. “But if I’m right, you’ll owe me your life.”

They sat in silence for a moment. The lantern flickered, and dust floated between them like ash.

Kael finally spoke. “You sound like you’ve already chosen a side.”

“Maybe I have,” she said. “The side that still remembers what honour used to mean.”

He looked down at his book again, voice low. “Honour doesn’t mean much when everyone’s fighting to survive.”

“Then maybe that’s why it’s worth fighting for,” she said, standing. “Someone has to remember.”

Kael said nothing at first. Then: “Why warn me?”

“Because you’re the one he’s watching. More than anyone.”

“He hates me,” Kael muttered.

“Hate isn’t the word. Interest is.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “Interest in what?”

“In what you can do. Your Rift. Your instincts. The way you make choices that should get you killed… but don’t.”

Kael shifted uncomfortably. “You’ve been keeping this to yourself.”

“I’ve been confirming it,” Kyna said. “Archon has a history. My mother tracked pieces of it… hidden orders, sudden deaths. Missions that didn’t make sense but left rivals gone.”

Kael’s brows drew together. “You’re saying he…”

“I’m saying Archon’s hands are red, and no one dares wash them.”

Heavy silence settled between them.

Kael finally asked, “So what do you want me to do?”

Kyna gave a thin smile. “Not die. That’d be a start.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re deflecting.”

“Fine,” she admitted. “I want you alert. If Archon moves, you’ll see it first. And I want you alive long enough to tell me.”

Kael leaned back. “You think he’s tied to Jared?”

Kyna hesitated. “Maybe. Or maybe Jared’s just convenient. But ask yourself, why does Archon shield him? Why does he praise him more than he deserves?”

Kael’s voice hardened. “Because Jared’s useful.”

“Exactly,” Kyna said. “But useful tools get discarded. And Archon discards loudly.”

Kael’s fists clenched against the table. “So what, Archon is the enemy?”

Kyna shook her head. “Not yet. Not openly. But keep your eyes sharp. He’s building something. And I think it runs deeper than Jared.”

Kael’s pulse quickened. “You’ve been investigating him.”

Her smile was faint. “Of course. My mother’s work didn’t stop with her. She suspected Archon years ago. I’m just… continuing.”

Kael exhaled. “If he finds out…”

“He won’t,” Kyna cut in. “Not unless someone tells him.”

Footsteps echoed in the corridor beyond. Both froze.

The door creaked, and Reyna appeared, brow furrowed. “What are you two doing here?”

Kael answered too quickly. “Reading.”

Kyna’s lips twitched. “Sharing stories.”

Reyna’s eyes narrowed. “At this hour?”

Kyna rose smoothly. “Sometimes night is safer than day.” She brushed past Reyna, but her voice lingered in Kael’s ear: “Remember what I said. Watch Archon. Watch carefully.”

When Kyna was gone, Reyna turned to Kael. “What was that?”

Kael shook his head. “You don’t want to know.”

“Yes,” Reyna said firmly. “I do.”

He hesitated, then whispered, “Kyna thinks Archon’s dangerous. More than we thought.”

Reyna’s eyes widened. “Dangerous how?”

Kael lowered his voice further. “Assassinations. Secrets. Jared’s protection. She says Archon’s building something… and we’re in the way.”

Reyna was silent a long moment. Then: “And do you believe her?”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know. But I can’t ignore it.”

The following day drills passed in a blur. Archon oversaw them directly, his sharp eyes moving from recruit to recruit. When they landed on Kael, the weight was palpable.

After sparring, Archon addressed him. “Estaran. Stay behind.”

The others glanced back but obeyed. Kael stood alone under the man’s shadow.

“You’re improving,” Archon said.

Kael stayed silent.

Archon’s gaze sharpened. “Not praise. Observation. You adapt quickly. Too quickly. Almost as if you’re learning things I haven’t taught you.”

Kael forced his expression steady. “I learn from mistakes.”

“Whose?” Archon asked softly. “Yours or others’?”

Kael’s throat tightened. He gave no answer.

Archon smirked faintly. “You’ll learn soon enough that silence speaks louder than excuses. Dismissed.”

Later, by the barracks wall, Reyna cornered Kael.

“What did he say?” she pressed.

Kael exhaled slowly. “That he’s watching me.”

Reyna’s face hardened. “Kyna’s right then. He sees something in you.”

Kael muttered, “And he won’t stop until he decides what to do with it.”

That evening, Kyna slipped into the training yard where Kael stood alone.

“You look worse,” she remarked.

Kael shot her a look. “Archon called me out.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What did he say?”

“That I learn too fast.”

Kyna let out a low breath. “Then he’s closer than I thought.”

Kael’s chest tightened. “Closer to what?”

“To seeing you as a threat,” she answered quietly.

The silence stretched.

Finally, Kael asked, “Why tell me this? You could’ve stayed quiet. Safe.”

Kyna met his gaze, steady. “Because safe is a lie. And because if Archon decides you’re a problem, I need you alive to be my ally. Not another name on stone.”

Kael swallowed hard. “So we’re allies now?”

Kyna’s faint smile returned. “If you want to live, yes.”

Before Kael could reply, a shadow fell across the courtyard. Archon stood at the far archway, his expression unreadable.

“Estaran,” he called, voice carrying. “Still awake at this hour?”

Kael froze.

Archon’s gaze slid to Kyna, then back. “And in interesting company.”

Kyna’s voice was smooth, unbothered. “We were talking.”

Archon’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I imagine you were.” He lingered a moment longer, then turned away into the dark.

Only when his footsteps faded did Kael breathe again.

Kyna muttered, “You see now? He’s already circling.”

Kael stared into the shadows where Archon vanished.

And he finally believed her.