Page 16 of Song of the Heart Scale
Cat crossed her arms over her chest, defensive now. “You like sneaking into my room and taking over, huh?”
I took a few slow steps closer. “Only when I’ve got urgent news.”
Her gaze searched mine. “What is it?”
I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I studied her—the tension in her shoulders, the flicker of something guarded behind her honey-gold eyes. She wasn’t just surprised to see me. She was trying to keep something from me.
I already knew what it was. I’d just heard it. But she didn’t know that I knew.
I tucked that revelation away to let it rest.
“The emperor is dead.”
Her eyes widened and she stepped back like the words had pushed her. “What?”
“Uncle Bai just returned from Dragon Valley with the news, though it hasn’t been made public yet. I came the moment I found out.”
She blinked rapidly, clearly trying to keep up. “How?”
“They found him in his chambers late this afternoon. No marks, no blood. The court is full of whispers. Some say poison, others say he was just… old. No one knows for sure.”
Cat moved to the edge of her bed and sat, as if her legs could no longer support her. “No way… Your uncle Bai is older than him!” she scoffed. “What about Thorne?”
“He returned to Dragon Valley not long after the body was found. He’s already claimed the throne.”
She scoffed faintly. “Of course he did.”
“I’m not saying he had anything to do with it,” I said quickly, even though I could see where her thoughts were going. “Not yet. There’s no proof. And I’m not looking to start throwing accusations. But the timing is… painfully convenient.”
Her brow furrowed and I could practically see the gears turning in that beautiful, dangerous mind of hers. “Does this change anything?”
“Everything,” I said.
She looked up. “For you?”
“No,” I said without hesitation. “I don’t want the throne. I never have. But his death sends ripples. Power vacuums always do. People will be looking for threats to the new regime.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “And you’re a threat.”
“I’m a mystery,” I said gently. “To them. And now they know it. And… so are you.” I peered over at the door and back to her.
Her eyes flicked to the door where Maeve had exited. “So much for laying low.”
I sat beside her, not touching her. “Cat, listen to me. Gianna might’ve exposed you, but Zacharia hasn’t made a move yet. That means he’s waiting. Watching. And I need to know what you’re going to do.”
She turned her head, her golden eyes locking with mine without an ounce of surprise that I’d guessed what she hadn’tshared with me. “I don’t know. Not yet. But I’m not going to run, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to,” I said.
For a moment, the tension between us eased.
But in the back of my mind, one thought lingered, quiet and unshakable:
Why hadn’t she told me herself?
“I was going to tell you,” she said quickly. “I swear.”
I chuckled. “Okay…”
