It hit him like a flicker in the wind—barely noticeable, but hard to miss.

  Someone had tried to do something to him.

  Something to his mind, maybe?

  Cole didn’t react. He didn’t blink. He kept a relaxed posture, fingers loosely gripping the wine glass, and resumed his idle conversation with the Velar nobles—and his supposed betrothed-to-be. On the outside, he stayed calm and composed. But inside, every nerve was on high alert.

  He’d felt a push.

  Almost like a soft knock on a closed door.

  An amateur.

  His mind had slammed the door shut instantly, a wall of shadows rising faster than thought. He was grateful for the training he’d put himself through—mentally and physically.

  Whoever had tried to mess with his mind hadn’t made a second attempt.

  Coward.

  Cole slowly glanced around the dining room, eyes scanning for anything off. The king, the bride-to-be, nobles with their plastered smiles—none of them looked suspicious. None of them seemed powerful enough.

  He turned to look at Kael beside him. His brother looked as unbothered as ever, though his face was always unreadable. Kael’s fingers spun lazily around the obsidian ring on his thumb. But then—just for a second—his jaw twitched. His eyes flicked across the room, brief but sharp.

  So they were messing with both of them.

  Kael, of course, didn’t say a word. Just gave Cole a brief look.

  The spy was hidden. Maybe invisible. But definitely close.

  Cole pushed the thought to the back of his mind and returned to a dull conversation about crop trade and land ownership with one of the nobles. He made small talk with Princess Nyra about her hobbies and interests—though he couldn’t care less.

  Finally, dinner ended, and he was escorted to a quieter room with Kael.

  The door clicked shut behind them, muffling the noise of the dining hall.

  Cole leaned against the edge of the long, polished table, arms crossed. Kael stood at the window, silent, watching the night darken outside the palace.

  For a while, neither spoke.

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  Then Cole broke the quiet.

  “You felt it too.”

  It wasn’t a question.

  Kael’s fingers twitched once at his side. “Yes.”

  Cole narrowed his eyes. “Thoughts?”

  “A weak intrusion. Hesitant. But skilled enough to get close.” Kael turned slightly, his gaze distant. “They retreated quickly when they realized we noticed.”

  Cole’s jaw tensed. “Do you think the king has a telepath? Hidden away?”

  Kael was speechless.

  “You really think telepaths still exist? Their bloodline was killed off decades ago, and the allied kingdoms made sure of it. Though I suppose it’s not out of the picture considering we felt something with our minds…” he trailed off.

  That was enough of an answer.

  Cole pushed off the table and paced the room. “It wasn’t some fumbling servant. Whoever it was knew what they were doing. Not powerful enough to break through, but close enough to reach me.”

  Kael’s eyes followed him. “They went for you first.”

  The unspoken meaning hung between them.

  You’re the threat.

  “Maybe they’re just scouting,” Cole said. “Seeing if we’re as dangerous as the rumors say.”

  “Or trying to learn something,” Kael added. “Like our weaknesses.”

  Cole paused. “I want them found. But not exposed. Not yet. If the king’s hiding a telepath, I want to know what he plans to do with them before we tear this alliance apart.”

  Kael nodded once. That was as much agreement as Cole would get.

  “I’ll speak to Father in the morning,” Cole muttered. “For now, keep your guard up.”

  Kael returned to his silence, disappearing back into his thoughts like mist retreating into shadows.

  Cole moved toward the door and opened it, half-distracted—then paused as he stepped into the hall.

  Someone was walking by.

  A girl.

  She flinched slightly when their eyes met.

  She wore a plain dress, nothing notable. A servant, probably. Young. Around his age. Her gaze dipped quickly, and her hands folded neatly in front of her, like she was waiting to be dismissed.

  But there was something in her expression. Not quite fear—something sharper. Like she wasn’t used to being seen.

  Cole’s eyes narrowed, just slightly. “You. Servant.”

  She froze. “Y-yes, Your Highness?”

  Her voice was soft. Controlled. But Cole could see the slight tremble in her fingers.

  He tilted his head. “Fetch us another bottle of wine. Red. Something stronger than whatever they served at dinner.”

  She nodded too quickly. “Of course, Your Highness.”

  And just like that, she turned and hurried off down the hall.

  Cole watched her go.

  Strange.

  Most servants kept their heads down, stayed invisible. She had passed by alone, at just the wrong time, with eyes that lingered a moment too long.

  But maybe she was just nervous. Most people were, around him.

  Still…

  His eyes lingered a moment longer down the empty hall before he returned to the room.