Page 56 of Alien Prince

“Get it together, Maisie,” I whispered to myself. “You've come too far to back down now.”

A faint knock at the door startled me. My heart leaped into my throat as I stood, every nerve on edge.

“Who is it?” I called out, my voice steadier than I felt.

“It's Zoirse,” came the muffled reply.

Relief washed over me, and I quickly opened the door. Zoirse stood there, concern etched across her delicate features.

“I heard you visited the council chamber tonight,” she said softly. “Is everything alright?”

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But if I couldn't trust her now, when would I?

“There's... trouble,” I admitted, stepping aside to let her in. “I need your help.”

She entered, the soft rustle of her robes and the subtle scent of jasmine accompanying her. “Anything, Ambassador.”

I closed the door behind us. “Please, call me Maisie.”

She offered a small smile. “Very well, Maisie. What do you need?”

I took a deep breath, meeting her gaze. “I need to know who among the palace staff can be trusted implicitly. And I need you to be my eyes and ears.”

Understanding dawned in her eyes. “You suspect betrayal.”

I nodded. “More than suspect. I have evidence.”

She placed a reassuring hand on my arm. “You can count on me.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, gratitude swelling within me.

She gave a determined nod.

Chapter 13

Setting the Trap

The first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of lavender and gold as I made my way back to the council chamber. The palace corridors were quiet, save for the distant chirping of morning birds in the lush gardens outside. The air was crisp with the scent of dew and the faint aroma of exotic blossoms that opened only with the sunrise.

As I approached the chamber doors, the intricate carvings seemed to shimmer in the soft morning light, the celestial designs coming alive with the promise of a new day. My heart fluttered with a mix of anxiety and determination. Today, we would devise a plan to expose the conspirators—a dangerous game of strategy and deception.

The heavy doors swung open silently at my touch, revealing the vast room bathed in the gentle glow of sunlight filtering through stained glass windows. The mosaic of colors danced across the polished table at the center, where Kas and Ryler were already seated. Kas's gem-colored eyes met mine, a flicker of warmth softening his otherwise stoic expression. Ryler offered a tight smile, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with a seriousness that matched the gravity of our situation.

“Good morning,” I greeted them, my voice steady despite the nervous energy thrumming through me.

“Maisie,” Kas acknowledged, gesturing to the empty chair beside him. “We've been waiting for you.”

I took my seat, the plush cushion conforming to my form as I settled in. The scent of freshly brewed kava—a local stimulant—wafted from a delicate porcelain cup in front of me. I wrapped my hands around it, the warmth seeping into my cold fingers.

“Did you sleep at all?” Ryler asked, concern etched in the lines of his face.

I shook my head lightly. “Too much on my mind.”

Kas leaned forward, his gaze intense. “We need to act swiftly and intelligently. Any misstep could cost us dearly.”

I nodded, taking a sip of the bitter kava. The sharp taste jolted my senses awake. “Agreed. I've been thinking about how we can draw them out without alerting them that we're onto their plan.”

Ryler tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, the soft thuds filling the silence. “We need to give them an opportunity—something tempting enough that they can't resist acting on it.”

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