Page 54 of Alien Prince

“I honestly was going to go back to my own command before telling you, but it was him that made me realize that I needed to show you. That I needed to trust you.” I turned my gaze away sheepishly.

He turned away, running a hand through his hair in a rare display of frustration. “This is... troubling.”

“Kas,” I said softly, dropping the formalities. “I wouldn't have come to you unless I was certain.”

He glanced back at me, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. We must act cautiously.”

Just then, the door to the chamber swung open, and Ryler burst in, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with urgency. “I heard there was a meeting. What's going on?”

The sudden intrusion shattered the fragile calm. I shot a glance at Kas, who nodded subtly.

“Ryler,” Kas addressed him, slipping the data pad into his robes. “We have a situation that requires discretion.”

Ryler's gaze flicked between us, his lilac eyes narrowing. “What's happened?”

I took a deep breath, the air feeling thin. “There's a plot to overthrow the throne. Some of your council members are involved.”

Ryler's jaw clenched. “Are you certain?”

I nodded. “I've gathered substantial evidence.”

He ran a hand over his face. “This is worse than I thought.”

“You knew something was amiss?” Kas demanded, stepping forward.

Ryler hesitated. “I'd heard whispers—discontent among certain factions—but nothing concrete.”

“Why didn't you report this?” Kas's voice was edged with anger.

“Because I didn't have proof,” Ryler retorted. “And because I wasn't sure who I could trust.”

A tense silence settled over the room, the weight of unspoken accusations hanging in the air. The scent of ozone from the datapad's electronics mingled with the lingering aroma of incense, creating a disorienting blend.

“We need a plan,” I interjected, hoping to diffuse the tension. “If we confront them directly, they may act rashly.”

Kas nodded slowly. “Agreed. We'll need to gather more evidence and determine the extent of their network.”

Ryler stepped closer to me, his expression softening. “Maisie, how did you manage to uncover this?”

I met his gaze, the concern in his eyes easing some of my apprehension. “I've been monitoring communications ever since I noticed inconsistencies in the trade agreements. Something felt off.” It’s only been a short while, but the data tells the whole truth if you know what to look for.

He placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and reassuring. “You put yourself at great risk.”

I offered a faint smile. “I couldn't stand by and do nothing.”

Kas cleared his throat, drawing our attention back to him. “We must keep this information contained. The fewer who know, the better.”

“Do you trust your guards?” I asked, glancing toward the door.

He hesitated. “With my life. But trust is a commodity we can't afford to spend frivolously right now.”

Ryler crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. “So what's our next move?”

Kas paced the length of the table, the soft rustle of his robes the only sound. “We'll need allies—people we can trust implicitly.”

I thought of the few contacts I'd made within the palace staff—those who had shown loyalty beyond duty. “I might know someone who can help,” I offered cautiously.

Kas stopped pacing, his gaze sharp. “Who?”

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