Chapter 38. The Hidden Blade

The air in the throne room shifted the moment Lucien finished speaking.

Alder grew still, his eyes narrowed as he met his brother’s gaze.

“What?” he asked, surprise etched in his tone.

“You heard me, brother,” Lucien said calmly. “We need to talk about you putting your hands in places where they don’t belong.”

Alder slowly rose from his throne, his visage one of anger. He moved like a predator as he took a step forward, his silver eyes gleamed with fury, and the smile on his face vanished,

It was replaced with something different, something far darker.

“Are you giving me orders now?” he growled, his fingers lengthening into claws with every step he took, “About a stillblood?”

Lucien snarled, his lips parted as he took a step forward, matching his brother’s pace. “No, I am telling you,” he answered, “You do not give her any orders. You do not command Aria, not ever and certainly not now.”

Alder chuckled, his eyes darted towards his brot