Chapter Ten

ISA

I stood there, my heart pounding in the grand hall, as Cryostrum’s accusation sliced through the celebration. The music stopped. Someone dropped their drink. The shatter of glass broke through the sudden silence. All eyes turned to me, their judgment sharp and unforgiving.

"He’s lying,” I said, my voice trembling under the weight of disbelief. “I saw him take it.”

My words got lost in the storm of uncertainty clouding the faces around me. Queen Akora's lips formed a thin brittle line. Her eyes, once warm towards me, now showed doubt struggling with a desire to believe me. Lucian’s confused gaze pinged between Cryostrum and me.

I could see it in their faces. I was the outsider again. And now, thanks to Cryostrum’s wild lie, I was a criminal too.

Suspicion threading through the air like poison. My breathing got ragged as a cold dread settled in my chest. This accusation wasn’t just a blow to my integrity. It threatened everything from my assignment as a diplomat to the new bond I was beginning to build with Thadron.

He moved to stand beside me. His jaw was clenched so tightly I thought it might shatter. He glared at Cryostrum, his voice low and fierce. “This is absurd. Ignore him. He’s twisting the truth.”

Cryostrum’s lips curled into a thin, self-satisfied smile as he gave a mocking bow. “Then you have nothing to fear, Prince Thadron. Let us end this dispute with facts.”

The queen raised a hand. “I believe there’s been a mistake, too.” Her tone was steady, but there was an edge to it, along with resignation. “However, Cryostrum has raised a solution. We should go to Isa’s chamber.”

The words were a slap. My chest tightened. I wanted to scream, to fight back, to make them see the truth. The judgment in their eyes told me it was already too late.

Guards stepped forward, their armor gleaming coldly. They positioned themselves around me, making their silent message clear. No one would leave until this was resolved.

Thadron’s hand brushed against mine, a whisper of warmth in the void that opened inside me. “We’ll sort this out, Isa.” His words were a promise. But beneath the strength he showed me, I could sense his own unease.

I swallowed hard and lifted my chin, fighting to hold onto some shred of dignity as we began the walk to my chambers. The rustle of the crowd faded behind me, replaced by the echoing footsteps of the guards and the relentless thud of my own heart.

The walk to my chamber felt like a long spiral into a dark pit. The cold air of the palace's corridors bit at my skin. Every step tightened the knot in my stomach. Thadron stayed close, his warmth barely reaching me, his anger simmering beneath a surface of strained composure.

When we reached my door, the guards got it open and spilled inside.

My room looked exactly as I had left it. For one second, I allowed myself to calm down. There was nothing here. This had to prove my innocence.

The guards moved with precision, lifting and examining everything within reach. They opened drawers, shook out my clothes, and peered under the bed. I could feel the weight of every gaze behind me, the queen’s silent scrutiny, Lucian’s furrowed brow, and Cryostrum’s fake concern.

One of the guards held up a garment, dark fabric spilling over his armored hands.

Thadron’s tunic.

A flush of heat surged up my neck. I swallowed hard, embarrassment igniting my cheeks as Cryostrum smirked. His eyes lit with mockery.

“Well,” he drawled, “it seems the ambassador has enjoyed more than diplomatic relations.”

A ripple of whispers spread through the onlookers. A guard stepped in front of Thadron as he clenched his fists, ready to go in Cryostrum’s direction. I wanted to shout at the onlookers, to wipe that smug smile off the advisor’s face.

“That’s enough, Cryostrum,” Thadron growled. “This means nothing.”

The advisor bobbed his head. “Of course, Your Highness. Let’s stay focused.”

The guards moved to my travel bag next, unbuckling it and sifting through its contents. His search uncovered my clothes and toiletries. Nothing incriminating.

I closed my eyes in silent prayer. Please, let this end here.

But then, one of the guards turned toward the small desk by the window. A small grey device lay there, gleaming innocently under the pale moonlight filtering through the window.

“That looks like the hard drive for the backup files, I presume?” Cryostrum asked the question as though he were in a classroom.

For a heartbeat, the world stopped. I stared at the drive, a cold sweat prickling at the back of my neck. My vision blurred at the edges.

“This isn’t mine.” My voice cracked.

“Of course it isn’t.” The advisor stole a bored glance at me. “It’s the property of the Glaciarian people.”

“I didn’t steal the files. I’ve never seen that hard drive before.”

The guard picked it up carefully, holding it between his fingers as though it might combust. He turned to Queen Akora and Lucian. The queen’s mouth was a thin line of disappointment. Lucian’s gaze fell away from mine, avoiding the plea in my eyes.

I turned to Thadron, my panic breaking free. “You have to believe me. I didn’t take anything. I don’t know how it got there!”

“I believe you.” His voice was a lifeline, a thin thread of sanity in the chaos. He turned on Cryostrum, his anger a storm barely held in check. “This is a setup, and you know it.”

Cryostrum spread his hands, his face a perfect mask of innocence. “I only wish the evidence said otherwise, Your Highness.”

Queen Akora’s voice cut through the tense air, cold and regal. “Enough. We’ll resolve this formally.”

“Your Majesty, there is nothing to settle,” Thadron interjected. “Isa didn’t do it.”

The royal advisor gasped. “You dare to interrupt the queen?” He gave a theatrical gesture to the crowd behind us. "Look at these two working together. Can this human truly be trusted? And Thadron, the bastard half-brother, has always been jealous living in the shadow of Lucian, the true heir to the throne."

“All lies,” Thadron’s shout rang out from the room and into the hall.

"Enough," Cryostrum commanded. "I will handle this messy family affair for you, your Majesty. Guards, arrest them both."

I braced for the bite of the guard’s metal cuff. Thadron stepped between me and the advancing guards.

"Lay one finger on her and I tear off your hand."

Cryostrum's laughter rose. "Do you see how he protects her more than he cares about his own people, his own family?" He turned his sharp gaze toward Lucian, who stood torn by his own court's confusion. "Your Highness, how can you trust him?"

The crown prince’s voice broke through the rising tension. "Do not forget your place, Cryostrum. You may be an advisor, but you do not get to interrogate or speak for the royal family. Brother," he continued, turning to face Thadron, "I don't care for Cryostrum's tone, but I can't defy the accusation. Or your involvement with Isa."

Thadron looked over his shoulder at me. His usually guarded eyes revealed a vulnerability that made my heart thrum against my ribs. He turned back to Lucian. "It's true I've developed feelings for Isa. But it’s no secret. You even joked about it."

Lucian's lips parted slightly as if to draw breath from the charged atmosphere. "How do I know it all wasn't to gain classified information?"

"Isa isn’t a liar. I believed her when she told me she saw Cryostrum hide the file on his person."

The advisor scoffed. “Your Highness, surely you don't believe the nervous ramblings of a traitor and his human spy he's taken as a lover?"

I watched a vein pulse in Thadron’s temple. He showed tremendous restraint at the insults and accusations hurled our way. “Lucian, I believe I can prove Isa didn't steal the file. And if I can't, I will bear the charges for both of us."

The room held its breath, everyone awaiting Lucian's response. The crown prince’s brow furrowed, his usually light demeanor dimmed by the weight of the moment. He scanned Thadron’s face.

“Do what you must.”

“This is absurd,” the royal advisor sputtered. “You can’t possibly—”

“I can, and I will.” Lucian raised his hand, his voice steadfast and firm. “You’ll remain still, Cryostrum, or you’ll answer to me.” He glanced at the guards. “Hold him.”

The guards stepped forward, gripping Cryostrum’s arms. His eyes flashed with fury, but he had no choice.

Thadron looked at me. “Isa, do you trust me?”

My throat was tight, but I nodded. “With everything.”

He took a breath, lifting his hand to my temple. The warmth of his touch steadied me. His other hand reached toward Cryostrum, fingers splayed, the connection forming between us like a thread of molten light. The air grew dense, charged with the energy of his gift.

Thadron’s voice rose, deep and resonant, a melody both ancient and powerful. The song curled through the air, vibrating in my bones. My mind opened, and I felt the gentle pull of his presence within me, weaving through my memories like a seeker in the dark.

The scene projected into the air like a living painting.

The shadowed halls of Gelverin Keep emerged. I saw myself stepping out of my room and into the hall. Up ahead, Cryostrum’s silhouette appeared, sharp and composed. He paused, glancing around.

I saw it as I did the first time. His hand slipped into his sleeve as though he were tucking something away. Then he stopped to face me and speak.

I felt a shudder run through me as reality returned. Thadron’s hand tightened around mine for support. His gaze burned into Cryostrum, unrelenting, merciless. “Your turn.”

Thadron’s voice swelled again, the song twisting the air with a darker thread as he reached into the advisor’s memories. Another vision shimmered to life where Cryostrum slipped into the archives, his eyes cold and calculating as he removed the hard drive from one of the storage units. The scene shifted, and I saw myself emerging from my room, completely unaware. The royal advisor paused just long enough to glance my way before sliding the stolen drive into his pocket, his mouth curling into a satisfied smirk.

Thadron's melody wove deeper into Cryostrum’s memories. It revealed how he intended to trade the stolen information to the Nexus Spiral, a recently formed criminal group that had been stalking across the galaxy, trading money for illegal deals and each planet’s secrets.

The memory dissolved, the vision shimmering into nothingness. A collective gasp echoed through the hall.

Cryostrum’s eyes were wide with disbelief and rage. He twisted against the guards’ hold, his composure shattered. “This is a trick.”

“Enough,” Lucian snapped. “I’ve seen all I need to see. Guards, take him to the cells.”

The guards hauled the advisor away, his protests fading into the distance. The weight on my chest lifted, though my breath still trembled.

Lucian turned to us, his expression softening. He drew in a breath and exhaled. “I owe you both an apology.”

“We both do,” Queen Akora added.

Lucian’s gaze lingered on me, guilt flickering in his eyes. “Isa, your courage and integrity are beyond question. And Thadron.” He formed a wry smile. “You’ve once again managed to turn a diplomatic disaster into a triumph. Impressive.”

Thadron let out a low breath, his grip on my hand finally easing. “We only did what was right.”

Lucian’s grin widened, his usual lightness returning. He turned to the crowd, spreading his arms wide. “Well! Let’s not let a little treason ruin our evening. Now that the snake’s been dragged from the garden, I believe there’s a gift exchange waiting to be enjoyed.”

A cheer broke out. The crowd adjourned to the main hall, where the music resumed. Its melody rose and swirled through the air. The warmth of celebration slowly returned.

Thadron held my hand as we walked in together. “Are you alright?”

I let out a breath, the tension finally unraveling. “I think I will be.”

He smiled, the fierceness giving way to tenderness. “Good. Because I believe there’s a gift waiting for you.”

I managed a soft laugh, the sound finally free of fear. “I can’t wait to see it.”