Layna's eyes widened in shock as Zach's words echoed through her mind. A traitor in the court? It couldn't be true. But the seriousness in Zach's gaze, the certainty in his voice, unsettled her.
For a moment, the world seemed to narrow. The sounds of the forest, the whispers of her men, the faint rustling of the wind—everything faded, leaving only the gravity of his revelation. A traitor? In her own kingdom? Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword as her mind raced through the possibilities.
Zach watched her, his expression unreadable. There was a calmness to him, a control that Layna couldn't quite place. He was a mystery she couldn't afford to ignore.
Finally, she broke the silence. "You need to explain. Now."
Zach glanced at the prisoner bound to the tree, who was still seething with defiance. "Not here. This man will say nothing of value."
Layna felt the surge of frustration building inside her. She was tired of half-truths and shadowy answers. She needed clarity, and she needed it now.
"You said there's a traitor in my court," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "If you know something, you'd better start talking."
Zach met her gaze, unwavering. "I do know something. But it's not as simple as you think. The threat against you is more than just a political move. Someone powerful within your own ranks wants you out of the way—permanently. These mercenaries were hired to ambush you and ensure you never return to Eryndor."
Layna's heart hammered in her chest. Her thoughts immediately turned to the royal council. Could Lord Barrick be behind this? Or perhaps Lady Saphira? They had been relentless in their push for her to marry Lord Daren. If she refused, would they truly resort to assassination?
Her anger flared, a burning flame that lit her resolve. Whoever had done this would pay dearly.
"You still haven't told me how you know all of this," Layna said, her eyes narrowing. "Why should I trust you?"
Zach looked at her with an intensity that made her pause. "Because I've been following these mercenaries for weeks. I've seen their movements, their coordination. They're too well-funded to be acting on their own. And their orders were clear—kill the princess and leave no survivors."
The weight of his words settled on Layna like a leaden cloak. She had been fighting on the battlefield, defending her kingdom, and all the while, someone within her own court had been plotting her death. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Who?" Layna demanded, her voice tight with fury. "Who gave the order?"
Zach shook his head. "I don't know for certain. But I have my suspicions."
Layna clenched her jaw, her anger simmering beneath the surface. She couldn't afford to act rashly, not without more information. But she also couldn't return to the capital blind to the danger that awaited her.
"Then we find out who's behind this," Layna said, her voice steady. "And when we do, they'll regret underestimating me."
Zach nodded, his expression hardening. "You'll need to tread carefully. Whoever it is, they've gone to great lengths to keep this hidden. If they suspect you know, they'll strike again—and next time, they won't miss."
Layna turned her gaze to the prisoner, who was still glaring at them with defiance. Her anger flared again, and for a brief moment, she considered extracting the information she needed from him by force. But she knew it would be futile. The mercenary was too hardened, too loyal to whoever had hired him.
"Take him back to Eryndor," Layna ordered Gerrin, who had been watching the exchange with growing concern. "I want him interrogated thoroughly. We'll get answers one way or another."
Gerrin nodded, signaling for two of the knights to secure the prisoner. As they dragged him away, Layna turned back to Zach.
"You've helped me twice now," she said, her voice edged with suspicion. "But I still don't know why. What do you stand to gain from all of this?"
Zach's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Let's just say I have a personal interest in seeing the right people in power. And you, Princess, are the only one who can stop what's coming."
Layna's pulse quickened. "What's coming?"
Zach hesitated for a moment, as if choosing his next words carefully. "Civil war. If the traitor succeeds in eliminating you, Eryndor will fall into chaos. Your father's health is failing, and without a clear heir, the kingdom will tear itself apart. There are factions within the court already vying for control. They'll seize the opportunity the moment you're gone."
Layna felt a chill run down her spine. The political machinations she had been forced to navigate suddenly seemed far more dangerous than she had realized. She had always known that power struggles existed within the court, but the prospect of civil war—of her kingdom unraveling from within—was terrifying.
"I won't let that happen," she said, her voice hard with resolve. "I'll find the traitor, and I'll stop them before they can do any more damage."
Zach nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good. But be careful, Layna. Not everyone is who they seem."
With that cryptic warning, Zach turned and disappeared into the forest, leaving Layna alone with her thoughts.
As they made their way back to the capital, the weight of Zach's words pressed heavily on Layna's mind. The idea of betrayal within her own ranks gnawed at her, feeding a growing sense of paranoia. Could she truly trust anyone in the court? Even her father, as wise and well-meaning as he was, had been swayed by the council's demands for a political marriage. And Lord Daren… the thought of him being involved in such a treacherous plot wasn't far-fetched.
But who else? Lord Barrick had always been ambitious, always scheming. Lady Saphira had supported the marriage alliance with an unsettling fervor. Layna's mind raced through the names and faces of those she had trusted over the years, trying to piece together the puzzle.
By the time they reached the outskirts of Eryndor, her thoughts were no closer to clarity.
As the gates of the capital loomed ahead, Layna's focus sharpened. She would need to tread carefully in the coming days, keeping her suspicions close to her chest. If there was a traitor among the court, any misstep could be fatal.
Her men were weary from the journey, and after giving orders for the prisoner to be taken to the dungeons for questioning, Layna dismounted her horse and made her way toward the castle. The sun was setting behind the tall towers of Eryndor, casting long shadows over the streets. The people moved about their business, unaware of the dark currents of betrayal swirling just beneath the surface.
As Layna crossed the threshold of the castle, she felt the eyes of the courtiers on her, their whispers filling the air like the hum of bees. She ignored them, her gaze focused on the long hall that led to her father's chambers.
King Alric's health had been declining for months, and though he still maintained a semblance of authority, it was clear to Layna that his days of ruling were coming to an end. His frailty was part of why the council had grown bolder in their attempts to control her future. They saw her father's weakening hold on power as an opportunity.
But they wouldn't succeed.
As she approached her father's chambers, Layna's mind churned with a plan. She needed to gather allies of her own—people she could trust, those who hadn't been tainted by the council's influence. She needed to find the traitor before they could strike again.
When she reached the door to her father's room, she took a deep breath and knocked softly. After a moment, a voice from inside called for her to enter.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
King Alric lay in bed, his once-strong frame now thin and fragile. His eyes, though clouded with age, still held the sharpness of a man who had ruled a kingdom for decades.
"Layna," he said, his voice weak but warm. "You've returned."
Layna approached his bedside, her heart aching at the sight of her father in such a state. "Yes, Father. But I bring troubling news."
King Alric's brow furrowed slightly. "What is it?"
Layna hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But she knew she couldn't hide the truth from him, not now.
"There's a traitor in the court," she said, her voice steady. "Someone who wants me dead."