Chapter 9: The Talk
The door to the throne room closed with a heavy thud, and the cold air of the hallway greeted them.
Selene felt like she could breathe again.
Selene's footsteps echoed, her head held high despite the tension that still hung in the air.
Cassian followed close behind, his expression sharp with disdain.
"You've got nothing to say now, assassin?" Cassian taunted, his voice low but biting. "All that sarcasm, all that bite,.gone the moment you faced a real king."
Selene stopped abruptly, and before anyone could react, her hand shot out.
With a speed that left the guards around them frozen, Selene grabbed Cassian by the collar and slammed him against the stone wall. The impact reverberated through the corridor, and the guards reached for their weapons, alarm flaring in their eyes.
Cassian's gaze didn't falter, but his jaw tightened as Selene leaned in close, her golden eyes burning with cold fury. "I am not as stupid as you are, Captain," she hissed, her voice low and venomous.
"Stand down!" Cassian barked, his voice sharp as a whip. The guards hesitated, their hands hovering over their weapons before they reluctantly stepped back.
Selene smirked, her grip on him firm as she tilted her head. "You really should work on that temper. Makes it too easy to get under your skin."
Cassian's gaze dropped to her wrist, where the enchanted bracelet glinted faintly, the faint prickle of its magic a reminder of its spikes. His lips curled into a sneer.
Selene caught the shift in his focus and let him go with a small, deliberate shove. "You're welcome," she said, stepping back with an infuriating smile.
Cassian straightened his tunic, glaring at her. "Kade wants to see you," he said curtly. "You're coming with me."
Selene opened her mouth to retort, but her attention was pulled away as the sound of soft, deliberate footsteps echoed through the corridor.
A girl appeared at the far end of the hallway, her presence commanding without effort. She was tall, with hair like gold cascading in waves down her back. Her face was delicate, doll-like, her features so flawless they seemed almost unreal.
Her dress, a delicate ivory gown, hugged her figure perfectly, the soft fabric trailing behind her like a cloud.
She walked with a grace that made every movement seem choreographed, her head held high, her expression serene. Guards followed her, their postures stiff with reverence, but it wasn't just them.
Every soldier in the hall turned to look at her, their gazes lingering wistfully as she passed. Even Cassian, despite his stoic nature, straightened his posture, his eyes following her as if drawn by some invisible force.
But Selene? She didn't flinch, didn't bow her head or avert her gaze. She simply watched, her golden eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable.
The girl didn't glance at Selene or anyone else. She walked with singular focus, heading straight toward the king's chambers without so much as a pause.
Selene's chest tightened, an unfamiliar burn prickling behind her eyes. She blinked it away quickly, turning her head sharply as if dismissing the sight entirely.
She looked at Cassian, her smirk returning, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Stop trying to make girls swoon for you, Cassian. It's pathetic."
Cassian growled, his lips curling in irritation. "Keep moving, Draven."
"As you wish," Selene said lightly, though her steps were clipped as she walked ahead of him.
***
"When can I eat? I am famished," Selene said, running a hand over her flat stomach as she stood in a room that kinda looked like that for a meeting.
Cassian leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his dark eyes narrowing. "You don't get to make demands."
Selene smirked, tilting her head. "What? Afraid I'll choke on a bread crumb and deprive you of your precious prisoner?"
"You're not precious," Cassian snapped, his voice cold.
"Oh, but I am," Selene countered, stepping closer, her voice dropping into a mocking lilt. "You've been ordered to keep me alive, after all. Bet that really eats at you, doesn't it, Captain? Watching over a filthy assassin like me while you could be out playing knight with your little sword."
Cassian's jaw tightened, but he didn't move, his stoic mask firmly in place.
Selene leaned against the edge of the table, her smirk growing. "Come on, Cassian. Admit it. You're just dying to see me fail."
"You don't need my help to fail," he said, his voice cutting.
"Touché," Selene said with a soft laugh, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "But I wonder…" She stepped closer, the gap between them narrowing. "What will you do when I succeed? Will you grovel? Apologize? Or will you just stand there, all broody and quiet, pretending I don't terrify you?"
Cassian's patience snapped.
In one swift motion, he grabbed her by the arm and spun her around, pinning her against the table. The impact wasn't hard enough to hurt, but it left her breathless. His face was inches from hers, his dark eyes blazing as he unsheathed his sword and pressed the flat of the blade to her neck.
"Terrify me?" he growled, his breath warm against her cheek. "You're nothing but a tool. A weapon. And weapons don't scare me."
Selene's heart pounded, but she refused to flinch. Instead, she smirked, her golden eyes locking onto his. "Is that so? Because your hands say otherwise, Captain."
His grip tightened on the hilt, his knuckles whitening. "You think this is a game, Draven?"
"Everything is a game, life is a game" Selene said softly, her voice like silk. Her smirk widened as her gaze dropped to his lips for the briefest second before returning to his eyes. "You just don't know the rules."
The tension in the room was tense, hatred fueled within Cassian.
He wanted to strangle her so he would never hear her voice again.
And Selene liked it. Seeing him so unraveled gave her pleasure.
The sound of the door creaking open shattered the moment.
"Am I interrupting something?" Kade's voice drawled from the doorway, smooth and laced with amusement.
Cassian stepped back abruptly, his sword lowering as he shot a glare at Selene. She straightened, brushing off her dress as if nothing had happened, though her smirk lingered.
"Not at all, Your Highness," she said breezily. "Captain Cassian here was just giving me a lesson on chivalry. Very hands-on."
Cassian growled low in his throat, but Kade raised a hand to silence him.
"Enough," Kade said, stepping into the room, his eyes sharp as they flicked between the two of them. "Selene, it's time you understand your role here."
Selene folded her arms, her smirk fading slightly as her eyes narrowed. "Finally. Enlighten me."
"I am sure you must have been confused earlier," Kade's expression hardened, his tone losing its usual playfulness. "You're going to spy on Caelan Veyrannis, King of the North. His influence is growing, and his resistance to Ironclad threatens everything my father has built."
Selene blinked, the weight of his words settling over her. "You want me to infiltrate a king's court?"
Kade nodded. "Your skills as an assassin and your… charisma make you the perfect tool for this mission."
"Tool," Selene repeated, her voice sharp with anger. "So, that's all I am to you? A pawn in your little game?"
Kade's eyes flashed, his calm demeanor fracturing slightly. "Your survival depends on your compliance, Selene. Don't forget that."
Cassian stepped forward, his gaze cold and unforgiving. "And if you betray us, I'll make sure you regret it."
Selene's lips curled into a dangerous smile as she looked between the two men. "Oh, don't worry, Captain. If I ever decide to betray you, you'll never see it coming."
Kade sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Enough. Both of you. Selene, you leave for the North soon. You will need to prepare yourself. My father has given me two months to make sure you are befitting."
Selene's smile faltered slightly, her golden eyes narrowing. "Befitting?"
"You'll be competing for more than survival, Selene," Kade said, his tone flat. "There's a competition. My father has announced it—a contest to find the perfect bride for the King of the North."
Selene blinked, "Bride?"
"Think of it as... an audition," Kade continued, his eyes cold and calculating. "There are other women here trained for that kind of thing. You'll be given a new identity, trained in everything necessary to pass as a noble lady. Dance, swordplay, etiquette, music—all of it. If you cannot fool the court here, you'll never survive in Caeltheria, let alone at Caelan Veyrannis' court."
Selene crossed her arms, her gaze sharp but guarded. "And if I fail?"
"You'll be sent back to Ironkeep," Kade replied bluntly. "You'll rot in that cell until you die."
The room fell silent for a moment, the air heavy with unspoken tension.
"Why me?" Selene asked finally, her voice steady. "You've got dozens of women here who are already trained for this kind of thing. Why bet on me?"
Kade's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Because you're not like the others. The King of the North isn't just looking for a bride. He's looking for someone who can stand at his side, someone strong enough to endure his court. Your... particular set of skills make you unique."
Selene's gaze didn't waver. "And what exactly is my role in all this? I mean you don't expect me to marry a fae king and have his babies do you?"
Kade's smirk faded, his expression hardening. "Your mission is to infiltrate Caelan's court, seduce him if necessary, and gain his trust. You'll gather intelligence on his plans, his allies, and his weaknesses. If the time comes to eliminate him... you'll do it."
Selene didn't flinch,. "And the other girls?"
"There are five other women training here," Kade said, pacing slowly. "Each of them is skilled in different areas. Swordplay, dance, diplomacy—they'll be your competition. Only the top three will be sent to Caelan's court to compete with the thirty others he's hosting."
Selene arched an eyebrow. "Thirty?"
Cassian's voice cut in, sharp and cold. "The King of the North isn't a fool. He knows this competition is more than it seems. Every kingdom will send their best to gain favor with him or to spy on him."
Kade nodded. "Which is why you'll need to stand out. You'll need to be better than them all—here and in the North."
Selene's gaze flicked to Kade, her expression unreadable. "And what happens if I succeed?"
"You'll have your freedom," Kade said simply. "And perhaps, you'll save more than just yourself."
The room fell silent again, Selene's mind racing. She didn't trust Kade, not fully, but the alternative was unthinkable.
"What's the first step?" she asked finally, her voice steady.
"You'll be given a new name and identity," Kade said. "From this moment on, Selene Draven no longer exists. You'll train under Zariya and the others, learning everything you need to pass as a noblewoman. Dance, sword dancing, elegance, and more."
He paused, his eyes meeting hers. "You'll be watched closely. If you falter, if you fail... you know the consequences."
Selene's lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. "Fine, but I have a request."
Kade frowned, "What is it?"
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone