I couldn't sleep.
Not with the cold warning still lingering in my mind. Not with Cassian sitting at the edge of our bed, his head bowed, frustration radiating off him like heat.
I should have told him about the messages. Should have handed him my phone and let him deal with whoever was behind this. But something, something held me back.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. His jaw was clenched, his hands tightening into fists over and over, as if he were barely holding himself together.
He was angry. Furious. But at what? At the intruder? At the breach in security? Or at the fact that someone knew something they shouldn't?
I pressed my lips together.
I wanted to trust him. I needed to trust him.
But that message…
"Oh, and Princess? You should really stop asking about the late King."
Whoever sent it knew.
And that meant one of two things; either the palace was bugged, or someone very close to Cassian was feeding them information.
I shivered.
I hadn't told anyone about my suspicions. Not even Esther. Not even the Queen. The only person I had spoken to was Cassian.
So either someone overheard us that night in the library…
Or Cassian wasn't telling me everything.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he had said earlier.
I wanted to believe him. But if he knew something, if he had been keeping secrets from me, then that meant he had already let something happen to me.
And I refused to be blind again.
Not this time.
I exhaled softly, shifting under the covers. His head turned slightly, as if sensing my movement.
"Can't sleep?" His voice was low, edged with concern.
I shook my head. "Not really."
He let out a heavy breath, running a hand through his hair. "Me neither."
Silence stretched between us.
I knew what he was waiting for. He wanted me to lean into him. To tell him I was scared, that I needed him. To let him wrap his arms around me and promise that everything would be okay.
And God, I wanted to.
But that would be too easy.
Instead, I turned on my side, facing away from him. "We should try."
A pause.
Then, the shift of the mattress as he lay down beside me.
I forced my breathing to slow, listening to his. He was close, too close but he didn't touch me.
Not tonight.
Tonight, there was too much between us.
Too many secrets.
Too many doubts.
And tomorrow, I would start getting my answers.
Even if I had to find them on my own.
By morning, I've made up my mind; I won't let fear control me. If someone is after me, I need to be one step ahead.
The morning is still young when Queen Morgana summons the palace security heads to her private chambers. By the time I walk in, she's already mid-rant, her sharp voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"This is an embarrassment! An outrage! A security breach within the royal palace?" she seethes, her piercing gaze sweeping over the assembled guards. "What do I have an entire security unit for if intruders can waltz in and threaten my household?"
Commander Reuben stands stiffly before her. "Your Majesty, the situation was handled..."
"Handled?" she scoffs. "Someone crept close to the Crown Princess's chambers in the dead of night, and you call that handled? I built this palace with my late husband. I will not stand by while it turns into a playground for trespassers!"
She paces, her long robe flowing behind her as she glares at the officers. "You have failed in your duties, and you will rectify this immediately. I want a full report on my desk before noon. If I am not satisfied with your findings, heads will roll."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I watch her closely, studying the way her fury flares so easily. But something about it seems… off. Her words are harsh, her anger loud, but does she really care about my welfare? Or is this just another opportunity to exert control?
My suspicion tightens in my chest. If she truly cared, wouldn't she have sought me out first? Wouldn't she have asked if I was unharmed before making a show of reprimanding the guards?
Hissing under my breath, I turn on my heel and walk away. Whatever game she's playing, I won't be a pawn in it.
I dress simply, tying my hair into a ponytail, and summon Esther. Cassian is already in the sitting area of our private wing, sipping coffee. His brows rise when I walk in, adjusting my purse.
"Going somewhere?"
"Shopping," I reply smoothly, slipping on my sunglasses. "I need Esther's help."
Cassian nods, but something flickers in his eyes - concern? Suspicion? I can't tell.
"Be careful," he says. "I'll have a guard follow at a distance."
I force a smile, but inside, my mind is racing. Is this concern or control?
Once we're outside the palace walls and well away from prying ears, I park near a secluded café and turn to Esther.
"I need you to listen carefully." My voice is low, serious.
Esther nods, sensing my shift in tone.
"I was threatened last night," I confess. "Someone sent me two messages. The first was a warning. The second… it mentioned something that only Cassian and I talked about, alone."
Her brows furrow. "Wait… are you saying the palace is bugged?"
"I don't know. But someone is watching me, listening to me. And right now, I can't trust anyone, not even Cassian."
Esther exhales sharply, clearly shaken. "What do you want me to do?"
"Shea." I lock eyes with her. "Find out everything about her - who she talks to, where she goes, what her real purpose is."
Esther nods immediately. "Consider it done."
I reach for her hand. "Esther… I need you to be careful. If the queen is involved in this, she won't be kind to anyone snooping around."
"I can handle myself," she assures me.
I nod. "Good. Then let's move."
I drive straight to campus, my heart pounding. If the palace is being watched, I need an outsider's help.
Professor Joan, my legal mentor, looks up from her paperwork as I step into her office.
"Your Highness," she greets, a rare smile on her lips. "Shouldn't you be focusing on your exams?"
I shut the door behind me. "This is more important."
She sits up. "I'm listening."
I take a deep breath. "I need your help. Someone sent me threatening messages last night, and I don't trust the palace to handle this. I need to trace where they came from."
Her eyes sharpen. "Anonymous number?"
I nod.
She picks up her phone. "I know a forensic expert who can track messages, even if they were sent from a burner phone. I'll get back to you soon."
Relief floods me. "Thank you."
"You're playing a dangerous game, Celeste," she warns.
"I know," I admit. "But I have no choice."