The night was freezing, wrapping the ruined city in a shroud of spectral mist. The torches mounted on the walls flickered in the gusts of wind, casting dancing shadows on the cracked stone. Kael Vareth leaned against a broken column, arms crossed, watching the silhouette approaching him.

  She was majestic in her dark gown, a velvet cape brushing against the desolate ground. Her ash-blond hair cascaded in disciplined waves over her shoulders, contrasting with the calculating coldness of her piercing blue eyes. Everything about her exuded aristocracy, cunning, and ambition—a woman who left nothing to chance.

  "You don’t waste time, Princess."

  She stopped just at the edge of the torchlight, an unreadable smile on her lips.

  "I can’t afford to, Kael Vareth. Every passing day is another chance for my enemies to tighten their grip."

  Kael pushed himself off the column, stepping toward her slowly. He knew a power play when he saw one. This woman, as refined as she appeared, was a formidable strategist. She hadn’t lowered herself to offering him this alliance by chance.

  "Then tell me, Princess, why me? Surely, you have dozens of generals willing to fight for your cause."

  She held his gaze for a moment, measuring his reaction.

  "Because you are not a man of honor, Kael."

  Silence hung between them. Then, a faintly amused smile crossed the former mercenary’s face.

  "Finally, someone who understands."

  She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

  "My clan is rotting from weakness and complacency. My father clings to a crumbling throne, refusing to accept that the order of the world has changed. I want to rebuild, Kael. But I can’t do it alone."

  Kael brushed his fingers over the hilt of his sword.

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  "And what do I gain from helping you?"

  Her smile widened, laced with an icy boldness.

  "Everything."

  The wind howled through the ruins, as if the world itself held its breath. Kael knew that by accepting, he was sealing his fate in a war far greater than himself.

  He extended his hand.

  "Deal, Princess."

  Such agreements were never made without caution. The princess led him through the ruins to an ancient temple, hidden beneath the collapsed wing of the ancestral palace. Torches still burned within, a sign that she had allies ready to act from the shadows.

  Kael surveyed the area with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Ancient scrolls littered the floor, carrying secrets that only an initiate could decipher. The princess ran her fingers along a pillar carved with forgotten inscriptions.

  "This place once belonged to my ancestors. It was here that blood pacts were made, betrayals were plotted, and power changed hands."

  She turned to him, determination burning in her eyes.

  "I need to know if I can trust you, Kael."

  He smirked, a predator’s grin.

  "You chose me precisely because you know trust is a rare currency. But if we’re going to succeed, we’ll need a common enemy."

  She nodded slowly.

  "My father."

  Kael crossed his arms.

  "Then tell me everything, Princess. How do you overthrow a king?"

  The princess moved to a table hidden beneath a pile of dusty fabric. She unfolded a map, stained and marked with complex annotations. Kael studied it, noting the various strongholds of his future adversary.

  "The kingdom is fragmented. My father has lost the support of several nobles, but he still holds the loyalty of the old clans. We must ensure their neutrality first—or eliminate them before they become a problem."

  She traced a line across the map, marking strategic points. Kael observed her with a mix of admiration and caution. She was more than determined—she was ready to risk hell to achieve her goals.

  "We’ll need an army," he murmured. "Your resources won’t be enough."

  She lifted her gaze, a spark of mischief in her eyes.

  "That’s why you’re here, Kael. You’re a man who knows how to break chains. I want you to recruit the fallen, the exiled, the mercenaries who have nothing left to lose. Forge them into a force even my father will fear."

  Kael chuckled.

  "An army of outcasts and criminals… Interesting. But it will take time."

  She stepped closer, placing a hand on the table, so near that he could catch her scent—a subtle mix of lilac and steel.

  "We have time, but not too much. Start tomorrow."

  Kael met her unwavering gaze and slowly nodded. The game was set. And he intended to be the one who won it.