(kyren's pov)
Geo Rosario.
I had heard the name before, but now that he was here, standing too close to Vidalia, I realized how much of an annoyance he was going to be.
He wasn't like the usual nobles—weak men who relied on their titles to shield them from the realities of war. No, Geo had the stance of a fighter, the gaze of a predator watching its prey with amusement.
And worst of all—Vidalia didn't seem to mind his presence.
I clenched my jaw, watching as the two walked off together. I should have stopped her. I wanted to stop her. But what reason could I give?
That I didn't like the way Geo looked at her? That something about him felt too familiar, too calculated?
That I—Kyren Fernandez, the man who cared for no one—felt the first sting of possessiveness?
Ridiculous.
"You're staring too hard," Mark's voice cut through my thoughts. My advisor and closest friend leaned against the marble pillar beside me, arms crossed. "Didn't think you'd care."
I scoffed, folding my arms. "I don't."
Mark smirked. "Sure. That's why your jaw looks like it's about to snap in two."
"Geo is up to something," I said, choosing to ignore his taunts. "Men like him don't just appear without a reason."
Mark hummed. "Maybe. Or maybe he's just interested in the same thing you are."
I turned my head sharply. "And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Mark shrugged, but his knowing look irritated me.
I didn't have time for this. I needed to know why Geo was here, what he wanted, and—most importantly—why he was so damn interested in my fiancée.
Because if he thought he could play games with me, he was about to learn a very painful lesson.
I had barely taken a step toward them when a sharp cry echoed down the hall.
The air shifted.
Mark and I exchanged a glance before my body moved on instinct, hand gripping the hilt of my sword.
Vidalia.
I bolted toward the source of the sound, my pulse a steady drum against my ribs. Geo had barely been here an hour—if something had happened to her while she was with him—
I rounded the corner, my boots skidding slightly against the polished marble, ready to draw my sword and—
Stopped.
Vidalia stood with her back against the wall, her eyes narrowed. Geo was in front of her, his arm raised—but not at her.
At a man lying unconscious at their feet.
The scene didn't make sense at first. The court gathering had ended, the halls should have been clear, yet here was some cloaked bastard sprawled across the floor, a dagger still clutched in his fingers.
Geo exhaled, shaking out his wrist. "Ah. Apologies, Duchess. I didn't mean to startle you."
Vidalia's breathing was slightly uneven, but she didn't look scared—she looked pissed.
"You nearly took his head off," she snapped.
"He was trying to take yours," Geo countered smoothly. He glanced up at me as if he wasn't the problem here. "Your Grace. I assume you're accustomed to such little surprises?"
My grip on my sword tightened.
Vidalia pushed off the wall, stepping over the unconscious attacker. "He came out of nowhere," she said, her voice steadier now. "One second, we were talking, and then—"
"I handled it," Geo finished, flashing her a charming smile.
I wanted to punch it off his face.
Instead, I stepped forward, towering over him. "And you expect me to believe you had no idea this would happen?"
Geo blinked, then smirked. "Ah. So, this is the part where you accuse me of plotting against your bride."
"You did arrive the same day we were attacked," I pointed out, watching him closely.
Geo shrugged. "Convenient, isn't it?"
The bastard was toying with me.
Vidalia sighed, rubbing her temples. "Are we really doing this? Arguing instead of figuring out why someone just tried to stab me? Again?"
She had a point. But the frustration still burned in my chest.
I turned my gaze back to the unconscious man. He was no ordinary assassin—his clothes were too plain, his blade too cheap. This wasn't a noble's hired hand. This was something else.
I knelt down and turned the man's wrist.
A brand—a symbol burned into his skin.
Geo crouched beside me, peering over my shoulder. "Fascinating."
I ignored him, studying the symbol. A rough circle with jagged lines through it. Something about it felt familiar.
Mark, who had just caught up, cursed under his breath. "Hell."
I looked up. "You recognize it?"
Mark's jaw tensed. "Yeah. And if I'm right… this is a warning."
The air grew heavier.
Vidalia crossed her arms. "A warning from who?"
Mark hesitated. "Not who. What."
Geo let out a low whistle. "Now this is getting interesting."
I glared at him, but for the first time since meeting him, I agreed.
This was more than just an assassination attempt.
Something bigger was coming.
And we weren't ready for it.