𝐈'𝐦 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 (𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃)

Chapter 55: In Between the Chorus and the Verse

The castle was quiet. Most of the imperial camp had turned in hours ago. Outside, the wind moved through the ruined trees of Emberthorn like a warning.

I had set up a room in one of Constantine's guest rooms since the plan was to stay here for a few days to finish the cleanup.

I sat at the desk, a single map spread in front of me. Red ink marked the roads south, toward the borderlands and the old trade routes that led into neutral territory.

Arsen paced around the room, arms crossed. He looked nervous.

"You're leaving tonight," Arsen said. It wasn't a question.

I nodded. "Before dawn. Xavier and I will move separately from you."

Arsen turned from the window. "Separately."

"We've talked about this already," I said plainly. "I can't be seen with you. The plan is to make it look like I was kidnapped..."

Arsen's jaw tightened. "You're going to let people think you're kidnapped."

"I'm going to make sure they think I'm kidnapped," I corrected. "You'll announce it at first light. Tell the troops I'm gone from my room. Say my guards were found bound, say there were signs of a struggle. Say it looks like one of Constantine's men who got away managed to take me."

Arsen stared at me. "You want me to lie to the army."

"I want you to give them a reason to chase," I said. "You'll gather your most talented knights. The ones who move fast and don't ask questions. You'll ride hard, like you're trying to catch up before I'm moved out of reach."

"And where will I be chasing?" Arsen asked.

I tapped my finger against the parchment, right where the ink faded into the foothills at the bottom edge.

"Here," I said. "The foot of Argent Mountain. Just before the south border."

Arsen leaned over the table, eyes narrowing at the spot. It was rough territory, old mining roads and caves that had been abandoned for decades. The kind of place you went if you wanted to disappear.

"This is where Leon's taking them," I continued. "Constantine and Phoebe. He'll hide them there until they can slip across into the neighboring country. Well, at least that's what he's been telling them."

"Leon?"

"He's in on it," I said. "He's leading them into the trap."

He went still. "You're trusting him with this?"

"I'm trusting him with me," I said. "He'll smuggle me in, secretly. No one else knows. Once we're inside, I'll confront Constantine directly. Xavier will stay outside and guard the entrance."

Arsen's hands curled into fists on the edge of the table. "You're walking straight into danger. What if he hurt you?"

"He won't be able to. Leon would protect me, and Xavier too," I said. "And that's the point of the play, Arsen. We can add it to his list. Treason, secret armies, and now the abduction of the empress."

He stared at me, trying to keep his voice level. "You expect me to believe Leon and Xavier can keep you safe?"

"They will," I said firmly. "Leon's been working with me for a while now. He knows what's at stake. And you know Xavier, he won't let anything happen to me either. You're not the only sword master in this empire, Arsen. You don't have to worry."

He looked annoyed. It was clear that he hated the idea.

"You don't have to do this, you know. We already have enough evidence. We could just ride to Argent Mountain right now and take him."