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Oberon rises without a word. The warmth of him fades with every step he takes toward the door.

When the door clicks shut behind him, the room feels colder. The darkness presses in again, but it doesn’t feel quite so heavy now.

Chapter eighteen

Challenge Accepted

The next morning, when I step out of the small room, I nearly stumble when I see Ash waiting for me in the hall. Relief washes over me that it isn’t Oberon.

After last night, I’m not sure I am ready to face him. The moments we shared . . . the emotions, raw and undeniable. He saw me. All of me.

I didn’t want that. Didn’t want anyone to see me like that: broken, alone, desperately trying to gather the shattered pieces of myself.

Oberon’s fierce, primal fury at what was done to me . . . The way he held me until the weight didn’t feel so suffocating. “Let me hold it with you,” he said, the words echoing through my mind. My chest tightens at the memory. My eyes burn, but I force the feeling down, burying it deep where it can’t touch me.

“Good morning, Ash,” my voice cracks, still raw from the night before.

“Is it?” he replies, arching an eyebrow.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, we’re doing that today?” Ash grins. “Pretending you didn’t wake the entire tavern screaming like a damned banshee? Fine. I’ll play along.” He stretches, looking far too pleased with himself. “Truly, I feel so refreshed after such a peaceful night’s sleep. Don’t you?”

I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. “What do you want, Ash? Why are you at my door?”

Ash sighs dramatically. “I was waiting for you. Obviously.”

I narrow my eyes. “Where’s Oberon?”

“Up before the sun. Off to meet his ‘guy.’” He makes air quotes, smirking. “Apparently, there’s trouble. Had to run off and take care of it. So, it’s just you and me today, sunshine.”

I frown. “What kind of trouble?”

Ash scratches his jaw. “Didn’t get all the details. We’re meeting up with him tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? For what?”

“There’s a meeting. With all the leaders of the like-minded kind.”

Like-minded kind? Sounds like code for rebels. We are meeting with the rebellion leaders. Tomorrow.

“How does Oberon manage it?” I ask quietly, before I can stop myself. “How does he balance being with us and pretending to serve the King? I don’t understand how he’s able to keep them from finding out. The King doesn’t suspect?”

Ash’s expression shifts, just for a second. It is subtle, but I catch it, the flicker of something buried deep, maybe the weight of too many secrets. “He’s good at what he does,” Ash says, shrugging with that practiced ease he wears like armor. “When he’s with the King, he’s convincing. The King’s paranoid, he’s always watching for betrayal, always assuming someone’s plotting behind his back. But not Oberon. Not his heir. He doesn’t suspect him.” Ash leans in slightly, voice dropping lower.

“He thinks Oberon’s out there collecting information on his behalf, checking in with the outposts, keeping the rebellion in check. That’s the cover. And it works. Oberon plays both sides like a game of chess . . . and the King’s none the wiser.”

I mull over his words, feeling a strange knot twist in my stomach. It is hard to reconcile the Oberon I know, the one who has been my confidant, who has comforted me in my darkest hours, with the one playing a dangerous game at the King’s side. “Is he really as good as you say?” I can’t help but ask, my voice barely a whisper.

Ash chuckles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Better. He’s been doing this a long time, Lyra. He’s mastered it.”

I nod, my mind racing with the possibilities, but I shake away the thoughts. “So, what are we supposed to do today?” I snap, sharper than I intend. “Wait around for Oberon?”

Ash’s signature sly grin stretches across his face. “Nope. Today, we’re training your magic.” His grin widens at my stunned expression. “I know a spot. We’ll head there after breakfast. I’m starving.”

“Where is this spot?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

“Don’t worry. No jumping today,” he replies with a wink.