The palace halls were quieter now, but the tension still lingered. Ashley hurried back to the servant quarters, her mind racing with everything she had just seen. Coleen’s power. The poisoned prisoner. The storm that felt unnatural. Something was coming, and she had a terrible feeling she was caught in the middle of it.

  She entered the small, cramped room where the lower servants slept. A single candle flickered on the wooden table, casting shadows along the stone walls. Most of the others were already asleep, exhausted from the day’s work.

  Ashley sat on her straw mattress, pressing her palm against her chest, trying to steady her heartbeat. But no matter how much she tried to push it away, the memory of Coleen’s silver eyes staring through her wouldn’t leave her mind.

  "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" a voice whispered.

  Ashley turned to see her only friend in this place—Lena, a kitchen servant. She was a girl with fiery red curls and sharp green eyes, always full of mischief.

  "You wouldn’t believe me if I told you," Ashley muttered.

  Lena plopped down beside her, pulling her thin blanket tighter around her shoulders. "Try me."

  Ashley hesitated, then whispered, "I saw Coleen use magic today."

  Lena stiffened. "Magic? You mean shifting?"

  "No," Ashley said. "Not shifting. It was something else. He controlled the earth. Like the ground listened to him."

  Lena’s face paled. "That’s not possible. Only the ancient royals had abilities beyond shifting, and that bloodline was—" She stopped.

  Ashley swallowed. "Wiped out," she finished.

  Just like the kingdom in her dreams.

  Lena glanced around, lowering her voice. "Listen, Ash. Whatever you saw, you need to forget about it. If the nobles hear you talking about this, they’ll—"

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  A loud knock at the door cut her off.

  Ashley and Lena froze.

  The door creaked open, and a tall figure stepped inside. Marion.

  She wore a dark blue gown embroidered with silver moons, her golden hair braided into an elaborate crown. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto Ashley with barely hidden contempt.

  "You," she said sharply. "Come with me."

  Ashley didn’t move. Servants were never summoned by nobles at this hour.

  Lena grabbed her arm, her grip tight with warning. But refusing wasn’t an option.

  Ashley stood, forcing her expression to remain neutral. "Yes, my lady."

  Marion turned without another word, leading her through the winding corridors of the palace.

  Ashley’s mind raced. Why is she calling me? Did she see me spying on Coleen?

  She was so lost in thought that she almost didn’t notice where they were headed.

  The royal gardens.

  The gardens of Astravel were beautiful by day—full of silver roses, enchanted fountains, and glowing fireflies. But at night, they felt different. The moonlight cast eerie shadows across the trimmed hedges, and the silence was deafening.

  Marion stopped beneath a marble archway, crossing her arms as she turned to face Ashley.

  "I saw you earlier," she said, her voice smooth but sharp. "Watching the prince."

  Ashley’s heart pounded. "I was only passing by."

  Marion smirked. "Liar. You think I don’t see how you look at him? Like you’re trying to figure him out."

  Ashley stayed silent.

  Marion took a step closer, her perfume sickly sweet. "Let me give you a piece of advice, little servant." Her voice dropped lower, her tone dangerous. "Stay away from Coleen. He’s going to be king, and you? You’re nothing."

  Ashley clenched her fists. She was used to insults, but something about the way Marion said it—so full of fear—made her pause.

  She’s afraid of me. But why?

  Marion exhaled, shaking her head as if scolding a foolish child. "You don’t belong here. And if you’re smart, you’ll keep your head down. Otherwise…" She trailed off, letting the unspoken threat hang between them.

  Ashley forced herself to meet Marion’s eyes. "Otherwise what?"

  Marion’s smile was chilling.

  "Otherwise, I’ll make sure you disappear."

  Ashley’s stomach twisted, but she refused to look away. She had spent years being ignored, dismissed, treated like dirt. But something in her was shifting—an anger she didn’t understand.

  She wouldn’t cower anymore.

  Not to Marion. Not to anyone.

  After a long moment, Marion scoffed and turned on her heel, disappearing into the night.

  Ashley stood there, breathing hard.

  She had just made an enemy.

  And she had no idea how dangerous Marion would become.