Whispers Of Desires: A Sense Of Truth {Book 2}

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚇𝚇𝚇𝚅𝙸𝙸: 𝚄𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚢𝚊𝚕𝚜

The doors of her father's study sprang open, revealing a panicked Kazi. Her eyes were wild with an emotion that was part anger and part despair. "Father," she said, her voice shaking, "I must speak with you, urgently."

Her father, startled by his daughter's sudden entrance, looked up from his desk. His eyes narrowed as he took in Kazi's agitated state. "What is the matter, child? You look as if you have seen a ghost."

"I have figured out the traitor!" Kazi blurted out. "I know who It is, Father. I... " Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the words to express what she had discovered. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before continuing. "Uriel is the one behind it all. She has been working with the witches, trying to kill me. I think... I think she is a changeling."

"Who?" Governor Nari asked, his expression confused.

"Uriel is the personal handmaiden of Princess Athiel, last and only princess of Althea," Kazi explained, her voice filled with bitterness. "She was especially kind to me whilst I was in Althea, treating me like a sister. I... I thought she was my friend. But it was all a lie."

Governor Nari's brow furrowed. "Uriel? But... how can, you be sure?"

"The letters," Kazi explained, her voice shaking with emotion. "The letter she gave me and the warning note... they are written in the same hand. Uriel... she has been playing us all along."

Governor Nari stood from his chair, a gloomy expression on his face. "Are you absolutely sure, Kazi. This is a serious accusation. You must be certain before we accuse someone of such treachery.

"Absolutely," Kazi said, her mouth clenched. "I need to write to King Eldarion immediately, warn him about Uriel."

The doors slammed open again before she could storm out. A breathless messenger rushed into the room; his face etched with worry. "Governor Nari, I bring urgent news from Althea!"

Kazi's heart thumped in her chest. "What is it?" she demanded, her voice tense with anticipation.

"The royal family of Althea... they have been kidnapped!" the messenger blurted out, his eyes wide with fear.

The room burst into startled quiet. Kazi and her father looked at the messenger, mouths open. Finally, Governor Nari spoke first.

"Kidnapped?" he asked, his voice full of scepticism. "How? "But they are powerful warriors!"

"The information we received is still unclear," the messenger said. "According to what Prince Aradiel and Lady Layil said that they were all travelling from an event when they were ambushed. King Eldarion, Queen Evangeline, Concubine Coriel, Prince Akiel, and Princess Athiel..."

"And Prince Azrael? Is he also..." Kazi's voice trailed off as she struggled to find the words.

"Prince Azrael, thankfully, managed to escape," the messenger continued. "But his whereabouts are unknown."

Panic surged through Kazi. One moment she was about to expose a traitor, and now the entire Althean royal family was missing. "I must go to Althea!" she declared, her voice shaking with determination. "I cannot allow this to happen without trying to stop it."

Her father shook his head, his face etched with worry. "Kazi, wait! It is too dangerous. I will send the army; we will find them."

"I am the General of the Niamedan Army," Kazi reminded her father, her voice shaking with determination. "It is my duty to protect the Althean royal family. I cannot send my men to face this danger without me."

"No Kazi, you cannot go," her father said, taking her hands in his. "I forbid it. You are the last hope of Niameda. I need you here. You are the only one who can protect our people now."