Chapter 26
Jul 4, 2025
The Capital
The strategy room was crowded. Generals clustered around the war table, voices clipped and harsh. The air reeked of smoke and unwashed bodies. Cassian stood motionless at the head of the table, arms behind his back, watching the southern map edge like it might shift.
A messenger entered. No announcement. Just a sixteen-year-old boy, visibly shaking as he extended a velvet-wrapped scroll.
“It’s from the palace,” the boy said. “Urgent.”
Cassian accepted it wordlessly. He broke the seal. Read the first line. His eyes narrowed. At the bottom, the King’s name was inked in gold.
The room went silent.
“It’s an invitation,” he said. “To my wedding.”
“To Vaela,” he added after a pause.
No one moved. One general cleared his throat. “Should we—should we arrange celebrations?”
Cassian didn’t look up. “No.”
“It’s royal order, my lord—”
“It’s a statement of political conquest,” Cassian said. “Not a union.”
The strategy chamber was still under candlelight when Vaela entered unannounced. She wore silver that hugged her tightly, her hair a structured display of wealth and control. She didn’t pause at the door.
“You’re not dressed for celebration,” she said, placing a goblet of wine on the table.
Cassian stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back. “Because I’m not celebrating.”
“You should be,” she replied, circling him. “The King has chosen wisely. Our marriage will stabilize the court.”
“Our marriage won’t happen,” he said flatly.
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
Cassian turned to face her. “I won’t marry you.”
There was a pause. Then she laughed—sharp and deliberate. “You think you have a choice?”
“I do. I’m not under arrest. Not yet.”
Vaela stepped closer. “You’re bluffing.”
“I’m not,” he said. “I’ve sent word. I’ll forfeit my command if necessary. But I won’t stand beside someone I despise.”
Her face tensed. “You think the court will forgive this? That your soldiers will follow a man who throws away power for a girl?”
Cassian said nothing at first. Just watched her, as if calculating whether she understood the truth or was simply performing again. Then his voice dropped.
“When they took Lucy, I was left in the valley with a broken leg and two arrows in my back. My men thought I was dead. I should have been.”
He didn’t blink. “But I survived. And every day since, I’ve only wanted one thing.”
“I don’t care,” Cassian said. “I love Lucy.”
Vaela went still.
“I always have,” he added. “And she’s not a girl. She’s stronger than you ever will be.”
Her expression cracked. “She’s nothing. She’s gone. You think she’ll survive this war, let alone stand beside you in public? The King will never allow it.”
“Then let him kill me,” Cassian said.
“You’re throwing your life away.”
“I already did,” he said. “When I let them take her.”
Silence held for a moment.
“You’re insane,” Vaela hissed.
“Possibly,” he said. “But at least I’m not pretending.”
She slapped him. Hard. He didn’t flinch.
“I’ll see you at the altar,” she said coldly.
“No,” Cassian replied. “You’ll see me at the gates, with my army.”
She turned and walked out, dress trailing behind her. The door slammed.
Cassian looked down at the untouched goblet. He didn’t throw it. He simply pushed it off the table. It shattered. Red wine and glass scattered at his feet.
He stood there for a long time, blood dripping from his palm, his gaze fixed past the walls, toward the mountains.
