Bloodmoor’s nights had always been heavy with the weight of centuries. The moonlight spilled over the battlements like liquid silver, but no matter how brightly the stars shone, a constant veil of unease cloaked the castle. The air seemed thicker now, laden with the knowledge that treachery was closing in from all sides. Every shadow hid a plot, every silence, a whisper of betrayal.

Alexi stood at the highest parapet, his crimson eyes reflecting the cold moon above as he waited for the next step in his dangerous game. He had set the bait—word of the ritual using Vasilis’s dagger had been carefully leaked through the most discreet channels. It wouldn’t be long before Vasilis learned of the planned ceremony, and Alexi had no doubt it would ignite the fire of vengeance in his rival.

Yet there was a deeper current that worried Alexi more than the rebellion. The emissary’s warnings and Zephyrion’s elusive presence still lingered in his thoughts. The fae Prince was not someone to be taken lightly. His ambitions stretched far beyond simple conquest, and every move he made rippled across the realms like a storm gathering force.

As Alexi pondered his next steps, Marcellus approached from the shadows, his face grim. "Vasilis will hear of the ritual by morning, if not sooner. Our spies confirm that his remaining allies are still gathering in secret, but they’re restless. He’s lost a lot of support since the last council meeting."

"That’s exactly what I want," Alexi replied, his voice calm but with an edge of anticipation. "Vasilis will see this as his last chance to strike. He’ll gather what forces he has left and try to attack during the ritual."

Marcellus hesitated before speaking, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And Selene? Can we trust her?"

Alexi’s gaze flickered with uncertainty for just a moment. "Selene has given me Vasilis’s dagger, a bold move. But trust? No. She’s playing her own game, one we haven’t fully uncovered yet. For now, her ambitions align with ours. But the moment they don’t…"

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"She’ll turn," Marcellus finished grimly. "I’ll keep her watched."

"Good," Alexi replied. "I want to know her every move. We cannot afford any surprises."

The air shifted slightly as a new presence made itself known. Alexi and Marcellus both turned to see a figure step from the shadows near the edge of the parapet—a fae, but not just any fae. His silver hair shimmered in the moonlight, his violet eyes gleaming with a predatory light. Prince Zephyrion.

"You seem to be planning quite the spectacle, Lord Alexi," Zephyrion said, his voice smooth as silk, yet laced with a dark amusement. "A ritual? To bind the relics to your bloodline? How fascinating."

Marcellus’s hand went to his sword, but Alexi raised a hand to stop him. "Prince Zephyrion," Alexi said, his tone cold but controlled. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence in Bloodmoor?"

Zephyrion’s smile widened, but it was far from warm. "Oh, I couldn’t resist. Word travels fast among the fae, and I heard whispers of your little ceremony. I thought it only proper to visit my dear neighbor and see how the preparations are coming along."

Alexi’s eyes darkened, but he remained composed. "You’ve gone to great lengths to disrupt my kingdom, Zephyrion. What is it you truly want?"

Zephyrion stepped closer, his gaze sweeping across the parapet as though admiring the architecture. "What I want, Alexi, is quite simple. Power. Control. The usual ambitions of any ruler worth his title."

"And what does Bloodmoor have to do with that?" Alexi pressed, his tone sharpening.

"Everything," Zephyrion replied, his eyes gleaming. "Bloodmoor sits at the intersection of realms, a place where power flows freely between worlds. If I control it, I control far more than just this kingdom. I control the very fabric of reality."

Alexi’s expression hardened. He had suspected as much, but hearing Zephyrion’s ambitions laid bare only confirmed the depth of the threat. "You won’t have it," Alexi said, his voice filled with quiet menace. "Bloodmoor will not fall to you."

Zephyrion chuckled softly. "Perhaps. But the game is far from over, my friend. You’ve made moves, and I’ve made mine. Let’s see who plays the better hand."

With a final smile, Zephyrion stepped back into the shadows, disappearing as suddenly as he had arrived.

Marcellus exhaled slowly, his hand still on his sword. "He’s toying with us."

"Yes," Alexi said quietly. "But he’s revealed something important. He’s after Bloodmoor itself—not just for conquest, but for control of the realms. We need to move quickly. Vasilis is the distraction. Zephyrion is the true enemy."