The scent of roses filled the royal chambers.
Not the fresh kind — no.
This was the sweet, sticky kind that clung to the air and made your stomach twist.
Ariana sat at her dressing table, brushing out her hair with fingers tired from war and ruling. Kairo had left only an hour ago, and Damian hadn't dared return since the bath.
Her eyes were puffy. Her body exhausted.
But for the first time in days, she almost felt… calm.
Until she took a sip of her wine.
And the glass slipped from her fingers.
The room tilted.
Her heart skipped. Then pounded.
She grabbed the edge of the table, gasping.
Her vision blurred.
And then—
Pain.
White-hot. Crashing. Crushing.
As if something was tearing through her veins.
Outside, Kairo heard the crash.
He stormed into the chambers — sword drawn — just in time to see her collapse to the floor, her body convulsing, her lips pale.
"Ariana!" he dropped beside her, catching her before her head hit the stone.
Her breath was ragged. Her pulse—barely there.
"KAI!" she gasped. "It… hurts—"
"Stay with me," he growled, lifting her into his arms. "Stay with me, Flame. I've got you."
The palace exploded into chaos.
He laid her on the healer's table, holding her down as her body shook.
"She's been poisoned!" the healer shouted.
"What kind?" Kairo snapped.
But the answer came from behind them.
A slow, venomous voice.
"Nightshade venom. Rare. Illegal. Expensive."
Damian.
His cloak was soaked in rain, his eyes unreadable.
"And only one person in this palace has access to it."
Everyone turned.
Kairo's grip on his blade tightened.
"What are you saying?" he growled.
Damian stepped forward, eyes locked on him.
"I'm saying the queen trusted you. Let you into her chambers. Into her bed."
"She didn't—"
"And now she's dying."
Kairo lunged forward, furious, but was stopped by palace guards.
Damian knelt beside Ariana, brushing her hair back from her sweaty forehead.
"If she dies," he whispered, "I swear I'll burn the kingdom down myself."
Ariana's lips parted.
She tried to speak.
But only blood came out.
Meanwhile, deep in the shadows of the palace…
The spy watched through a hidden mirror.
And smiled.
"Let them kill each other," she whispered.
"The queen will fall. And I'll rise from her ashes."