Arian's mind raced as he sprinted toward the palace, the smoke from the explosions still thick in the air.
He knew the capital would be attacked—but not this fast. Not without warning.
His father was there. Ruby too. And he didn't want either of them to die.
They weren't prepared for this kind of assault. Adrian never had the chance to warn the King. Now, people were going to die. Maybe hundreds.
"Ariana!" he shouted.
Up ahead, the silver-haired girl skidded to a halt.
They were close now—just a few meters from the palace gates. But the scene before them froze the blood in Adrian's veins.
Hundreds of armed men stormed toward the palace. The bridge had already been crossed—the outer guards crushed. The battle had already begun.
The capital's defenses were falling, and the inner circle would soon be under siege.
If they charged in headfirst, they'd get torn apart like paper in a storm.
Adrian rushed to Ariana's side.
"Let's move quietly toward the entrance," he said.
