Chapter 5 Whispers of Betrayal

Cassandra hands clinched hard at her sides, staring from the shadows of the training fields. In the clearing, Kieran stood alongside Elara, staring at her with such intensity that it made Cassandra's stomach turn. He was unlike anything she had ever seen. committed and focused. And all that attention was for the stray, not her. "Why her?" Cassandra gave a little hiss. As she absorbed the image in front of her, her fingernails drove into her skin. Despite her evident weariness, Elara stood upright and spoke to Kieran, her voice carrying faintly. With her heart racing in her chest, Cassandra moved in closer. The jealousy threatened to swallow her, burning hot in her veins. She whispered, the words stinging on her tongue, "She's nothing." She caught a glimpse of a guard coming from the corner of her eye. She stood up straight and gave him a chilly look. The guard remarked warily, "Cassandra, you've been here a while." "Is there anything you need?" With a stronger tone than she meant, she snapped, "No." "Return to your posting." The guard hesitated but eventually obliged, leaving her alone once again. Her thoughts were racing as she returned her focus to Kieran and Elara. Kieran's attention wasn't the only thing that hurt. Elara exuded a sense of belonging here in the way she conducted herself. As if she was worthy of Kieran's admiration. With a sneer twisting her lips, Cassandra muttered, "We'll see about that." She refused to allow someone else to take what was rightfully hers. Not without a fight. When Aeron emerged at the edge of the camp, anxiety was in the air. He didn't announce his presence, but that wasn't out of the ordinary for him. He was skilled at moving undetected, a shadow amid shadows. Elara was the first to see him, and as he got closer, her eyes narrowed. Her voice was low as she said, "Who's that?" When Kieran turned and spotted Aeron, his face darkened. "Why are you in this place?" Aeron smiled slyly as he lifted his hands in a false surrender. "Is that how you welcome an old friend?" "I don't consider you a friend," Kieran said icily. "Mind your business." As he moved in closer, Aeron's smile remained unwavering. “I heard about your new recruit.” He turned to face Elara, evaluating her with a glance that made her tense. "An intriguing option." "Don't share your thoughts," Kieran retorted back. "Aeron, why are you here?" The gleam in Aeron's eyes persisted, but his face became a little more serious. "I'm here to offer my assistance." "Assistance?" Kieran said in a skeptical tone. "When did you start lending a hand without anticipating anything in return?" Aeron put a mocking palm over his heart and whispered, "You hurt me." But, of course, you're correct. I have interests of my own. Let's just say that we will all be impacted by what is about to happen. Kieran, even you. Kieran tensed his stance and narrowed his gaze. "What are you aware of?" Aeron's eyes briefly shifted to Elara before settling back on Kieran. "Apparently more than you." "Begin speaking," Kieran insisted. Aeron murmured, his voice trailing off, "Not here." Too many people listening. Later, we will discuss. After hesitating, Kieran nodded curtly. "All right. But Aeron, you'll regret it if you're just playing games. Aeron grinned. "I wouldn't expect anything less." His eyes lingered on Elara again as he turned to go. "You're a fascinating person," he said in a tone that was almost lighthearted. "Take care, little shadow. People like you are often swallowed completely by this world. Elara tensed up, gripping her hands at her sides. "I am capable of managing myself." Aeron laughed, a dark, deep laugh. "We'll see." Cassandra snuck out of the tent with deliberate, silent steps when the moon was high in the sky. She was aware of her destination and the person she needed to locate. It took very little time. With his arms folded over his chest, Aldric stood at the edge of the woodland, waiting. He watched her come closer, his eyes shining in the moonlight. "Cassandra," he remarked in a silky voice. "To whom do I owe the enjoyment?" Her pulse thumping in her chest, she halted a few steps away. She was playing a risky game, but she had already decided what she would do. Despite the butterflies in her stomach, she said steadily, "I need your help." Intrigued, Aldric arched an eyebrow. "Help? From me? That is not what i anticipated. "I don't love you, Aldric," she said abrasively. "However, we share an enemy." "Elara," he murmured, his face slowly lighting up with a grin. "Obviously. And, I suppose, Kieran. Her hands clenched into fists as she nodded. He is being poisoned by her. Since she came here, he's... different. distracted. Aldric replied in a humorous tone, "And you want to change that." Let me know, Cassandra. What precisely are you suggesting? She inhaled deeply as her determination solidified. "A partnership. Both you and I want Elara gone. If we work together, we can achieve it. Aldric cocked his head, thinking about her. "Interesting. What's in it for me, though? "Revenge," she said plainly. "And strength. Kieran is vulnerable because he trusts her. He will fall with her if you take her out. The predatory glitter in Aldric's eyes sent a chill down Cassandra's spine as his grin grew. "Cassandra, you provide a strong case. Excellent. We are allies. He held out his hand, and after a brief moment of hesitation, she accepted it. His skin was cool and his grasp was tight. However, he said in a serious tone, "If you betray me you'll regret it." "Likewise," she said in a firm voice. Cassandra had a rush of fulfillment as they parted hands. The initial step had been taken by her. It was only a question of time now. Unseen and unheard, a person observed from the shadows. Their minds racing, their eyes narrowing as they absorbed the image. Cassandra and Aldric's union was perilous, like a storm ready to erupt. And everything would alter when it happened.