Page 72 of The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain

The prince is set to arrive tomorrow, and my manor hums with frantic energy as servants scurry through the halls, preparing for Prince Jonyk’s arrival. I stand at my study window, watching the controlled chaos in the courtyard below while calculating risks and possibilities in my mind.

Everything must appear perfect. The illusion of loyalty must hold.

Right up until the precise moment it shatters.

My fingers drum against the glass, frost spreading from each point of contact. The original plan had been to wait—to have both Evans sisters in my possession before moving against Jonyk.

The crown’s power would make claiming the throne simpler, cleaner.

But opportunities like this don’t come often. A chance to eliminate Jonyk on my own ground, where I control every variable.

I press my palm flat against the window, watching the frost patterns spiral outward, weighing consequences, examining angles, searching for flaws in this accelerated timeline.

The soft scratch of claws on stone draws my attention to thecourtyard, where one of Baron Svalkat’s ice leopard constructs prowls past, the baron right behind it. Its movements are fluid, precise. The baron may be a preening fool, but his magic is undeniably strong.

However, it took him three attempts to create this one.

I can feel the weakness in my own power, the way maintaining even simple spells requires more effort each day. Soon the baron’s perfectly crafted beasts will be beyond his ability to control. Soon all our magic will fade to nothing unless I act.

Unless I’m willing to become the monster Lara, at least, already believes me to be.

A knock at my study door interrupts my brooding. “Enter.”

Khrint steps inside, his expression carefully neutral. “The first members of Prince Jonyk’s advance guard have arrived, Your Lordship. They’re inspecting the manor’s defenses.”

Of course they are. Jonyk’s paranoia serves him well, usually. “Ensure they have full access to everything they wish to see.” I turn from the window. “Especially the routes they believe I don’t want them to find.”

My valet’s lips twitch. He understands the game—let them discover just enough “secrets” to satisfy their suspicions while keeping the true paths hidden. “Very good, Your Lordship. Shall I have them shown the passage behind the old dungeon?”

“The one that leads to nowhere? Yes, perfect.” I move to my desk and pull out a fresh sheet of paper. “And make sure they find the ‘hidden’ guardpost in the east wing. They’ll sleep better thinking they’ve outsmarted me.”

As Khrint bows and withdraws, I begin composing my message to Vazor, dropping our coded messages into a short missive about Starfrost’s firewater shipment from the mountains this season and the need to increase it because of tomorrow night’s ball.

I read it over, ensuring the meaning is clear while remaining deniable. Vazor will understand that he and Oesterin should be ready to move tomorrow night. I fold it over, seal it with wax, and address it.

The scratch of my pen nearly masks the whisper of silk in the hallway.I tug on the bellpull to bring the underbutler, then continue writing as if I haven’t noticed, counting footsteps. Three... two... one...

“Tenyt,” I call out, just as Lady Uanna’s shadow falls across my threshold. The young underbutler materializes from where he’d been waiting in the servant’s passage. “Take this to our usual messenger. No delays.”

“Of course, Your Lordship.” He accepts the sealed letter with a bow, turning to find Uanna blocking his path.

“My lady.” His bow to her is precisely calculated—deep enough to show respect, shallow enough to remind her he serves me, not her, and I’m delighted to see how far he’s come in less than a cycle under Khrint’s tutelage.

“What’s this?” Uanna glides into my study uninvited, her pale eyes sharp. “Secret messages on the eve of our prince’s arrival? How intriguing.”

“Hold a moment, Tenyt.” I don’t bother looking up from the ledger I’ve opened, but I hear his footsteps pause. “Hardly secret, Uanna. Simply boring estate business that cannot wait, even for such an auspicious occasion.”

“Estate business.” She laughs, the sound harsh. “Is that what we’re calling it?”

Now I do look up, letting frost creep into my voice. “Did you need something, Lady Uanna? I’m rather busy ensuring everything is perfect for His Highness’s arrival.”

She drifts closer, close enough that her perfume wraps around me—and I find the scent more nauseating than alluring. “Oh, I’m sure you are.” Her finger traces the edge of my desk. “Though I wonder what our prince would think of your definition ofperfect.”

“I imagine he’ll be pleased.” I hold her gaze. “I’ve spared no expense to ensure this evening goes exactly as it should.”

The threat in my tone makes her pause. She studies me for a long moment, and I see calculation replace the flirtation in her eyes. Good. Let her wonder. Let her try to determine which side will prove most advantageous.

“I’m sure it will be an evening to remember,”she finally says. Her gaze flickers to Tenyt, still waiting by the door. “Though perhaps I should let you return to your... estate business.”

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