Page 130 of Crown of Storm and Silence
"Emir will remain here with double palace guard," he continues, his thumbs brushing my cheekbones with tender promise. "And I'll be back the moment I've secured neutral ground. Whatever happens, we face it together."
"Together," I agree, though my heart rebels against letting him go.
He kisses me with desperate intensity, pouring weeks of devotion into the contact while our child stirs restlessly in response to the emotional turmoil flowing through our bond.
"I love you," he whispers against my lips. "Both of you. That will never change, no matter what political games they force us to play."
“You are with me.” Kaan points at Zohan.
Zohan shrivels and pales. "I'm sorry," Zohan says, “For all of it. For being the weapon they used against you."
Before I can respond, the chamber door bursts open again, and Elçin strides in, though there's tension in her shoulders that suggests urgency.
"What's happening?" she demands, her storm-gray eyes taking in the three of us.
Kaan glares at Zohan. “Zohan and I have a meeting to attend.” And just like that, I’m left standing with Elçin, who raises both brows, waiting for me to explain.
"We have a situation. The Light Court has issued an ultimatum—they want custody of our child, claiming it poses a threat that requires their intervention."
Her expression hardens immediately, her hand moving instinctively to her sword hilt. "Time frame?"
"Sunset today for our response. They have three legions positioned at the borders."
"There's more," I say, “Zohan, he was the one reporting everything. My wedding, the pregnancy. He said Father arranged it, and said it was necessary to protect me."
The temperature in the room seems to drop several degrees as Elçin's gaze widens with shock. "You're brother has been feeding information about your pregnancy to your enemies?" Her voice carries the kind of cold fury that makes seasoned warriors reconsider their life choices.
I nod. "For months."
She looks away, and I already feel drained from everything. “I need to see Emir,” I say as I start to get dressed. A part of me knows Elçin will want to come, but I don’t want to trust her.After being betrayed by my own brother—and since I don’t know her that well—I just can’t have her with me.
“Alone,” I add.
When I glance at her, she nods, and I swear I see hurt in her eyes. She closes the door softly behind her as she leaves, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the weight of everything that's happened.
I'm dressedin simple traveling attire and making my way toward Emir's offices, my mind focused on coordinating our response to the Light Court's ultimatum. But when I reach his door, I find it standing open and the chamber beyond empty—no sign of the general or his usual collection of strategic maps and correspondence.
"Looking for Emir?" Banu's voice calls from behind me, bright with unmistakable excitement. "He's been called away to the outer defenses—something about positioning additional guards along the border approaches."
I turn to find her practically glowing with enthusiasm, her green eyes sparkling with the kind of manic energy that usually means she's discovered something fascinating in her research.
"I was hoping to catch you alone. I made the most incredible discovery in the archives last night—something that changes everything we thought we knew about the prophecy."
Her excitement is infectious, despite everything else weighing on my mind. "What kind of discovery?"
"The kind that might explain why the Light Court is so desperate to claim your child," she replies with excitement. "Shall we examine the texts together? I think you'll find them quite illuminating."
I stare at her, shock stealing my breath. "How do you know about that?"
"Kaan just told me," she says, fluttering her wings with obvious enthusiasm for her discovery. "He mentioned it when he saw me heading to the archives."
Something cold settles in my chest. Kaan left in such a rush, shadows trailing behind him like storm clouds, according to Elçin. When would he have had time to stop and brief Banu about the ultimatum? And why would sharing that crisis be his priority when every moment counted for reaching neutral territory?
"He told you?" I ask carefully. "When?"
"Just now, in the corridor," she replies, already turning toward the archive entrance. "He looked quite distressed about it all. But come, let me show you what I've found—I think it explains everything."
I follow her, but my mind keeps circling back to the timing. Something feels off about her explanation, though I can't pinpoint exactly what.
