Kat followed Cage as he strode to face his portraits. Most of them showed the clumsy paintings while Joey's frame was empty. She fleetingly wondered where he was since it had been quite some time since she'd seen him. Maybe he didn't want to face Keleigh.

Cage ignored his missing friend and knocked against Sir William's frame. The old man startled out of his sleep.

"Your Majesty," he grumbled in surprise.

Cage let out a low growl, but otherwise didn't acknowledge the slip. "I heard there's trouble. Get everyone here."

"Yes, right away." And he disappeared out of his frame.

"Why do some of them disappear while some turn into the clumsy paintings?" Kat asked.

Cage flinched at her question, but before he could answer, Dustin intervened.

"We have more portraits so we can move between them," he said. "The ugly paintings mean it's the only communication channel."

"Thank you," she said though it didn't make any more sense.

"That's not--" Cage started.

"Good, you're back." Joey suddenly popped up inside his frame, a grin on his face. "Like my little gift? Also, congratulations Kat, for capturing the beast."

Kat wasn't sure if to grin or be a bit worried. She was spared the trouble by the appearance of Malcom and the rest of the painted council.

"Sir!" They all saluted in turn, paying their respects, but Cage already looked annoyed with all the protocol.

"What of the Endirians?"

"They appear to be families seeking refuge," Malcom reported at once.

"Refuge from what?" Cage demanded.

"The Steward," another of the men answered. "There are rumors that he is making a claim for the throne. Forsaking the heir."

The words had Kat shuddering for some reason. Maybe because it reminded her too much of Cage's own situation.

"How many are behind the Steward and how many want to find the heir?"

"We're not sure." Malcom faltered, his uneasy gaze falling on Kat. "We do not have enough information."

"Pierce," Cage called and a short, scrawny man with a rat-like face stood to attention. "Could you make another incursion into Endir? We need to know."

"Why?" A man with a bushy brown mustache asked. "Their inner politics are none of our concern."

There was a wave of outrage at his words. As the men argued, Cage turned to her.

"Why is Oswald's affirmation problematic?" he asked.

Kat swallowed heavily. She couldn't believe Cage thought it was necessary to test her in front of all these people. Nerves took hold of her and sweat covered her palms. He tilted his head, raising his eyebrows in encouragement. At that moment, she realized what he was doing. The portraits had challenged her judgement. He wanted to prove she had good understanding of political matters and could be trusted if he wasn't available.

"Because foreign politics are everyone's concern," she answered. "The ruler of our neighboring country could make the difference between peace and war, between free trade and embargo."

The portraits fell silent, all the men staring at her.

"You see, Oswald. Kat can detect the issue and she doesn't spend all her times playing politics at court," Cage said, his voice pleasant. "So yes, we need to know what to expect form Endir, even if Fherras believes otherwise."

The men all nodded, then Malcom brought up the rest of the issues.

"What of Talia and Annora?"

"How bad is their situation?"

"We don't know," Malcom said. "But there have been rumors of more creatures spawning next to the borders. Specifically goblins so far."

Cage rubbed his chin, taking the information in. Kat didn't know what to make of it. She wasn't very versed in the subhuman species. The only information she had was from old folk tales. The official position of the kingdom was that those creatures no longer existed. That they'd disappeared together with the magic in the realm.

It's returning. Magic is returning. She glanced at Cage as the new realization spun around her mind. But was it a good thing?

He glanced down at her and looked a bit worried. "This is it. If you stay, you will be considered part of this."

She nodded even before she could compute what this was. But it was easy to guess.

"Send delegations to both Talia and Annora," Cage said, returning his attention to the portraits. "Speak with them and gauge the situation. Until we have more and know what we're facing, I cannot make a decision."

And there it was. He'd given orders outside kingdom policy, in direct contradiction with King Fherras' desires. Because he was a hidden rebel, as were all her men. As was she.

There was a hesitancy after the order and Kat felt her palms getting sweaty again. "What is it?" she asked. "What aren't you saying?"

No one answered her.

"Speak!" Cage commanded.

"Well, we don't have many men," Malcom finally said. "Most of the troops have been sent after Prince Ferdinand."

"The ground troops?" Cage asked in disbelief.

Malcom nodded. "Anyone available, really. And, there's more. This is not confirmed. It could be only port rumors. But some washed up sailors claim that Wolfbane has presented the king with a request."

"Which is?" Cage asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Prince Ferdinand's life for yours."

There was deathly silence for a few moments, then Cage let out a hollow laugh. "I'd believe that if the more potent rumors didn't claim I'm already dead. I'm sure Wolfbane knows that."

Kat shuddered at the thought, but was well-aware of that particular rumor.

"You should still check if there's any truth to it," Joey said to Malcom, then turned back to Cage. "In the meantime, you should lay low."

"Lower than this?" Cage asked, still sounding amused.

"Just... Don't do anything stupid."

"You mean like you?" Cage waved his hand and dismissed his men. It took them mere seconds to disappear, leaving Joey and William behind. "Seriously Joey, why is Keleigh here?"

Joey just shrugged as if throwing his fiancée in a cursed castle was no big deal. "I thought Kat could use some pleasant company for once. They're friends."

Cage turned to her. "Do you want her to keep you company?"

Kat nodded, a little confused by what was happening.

"I also have something marvelous planned, but that should be discussed between the two of us." He gave Kat an apologetic smile. "Should we move this to the study?"

"Sure," Cage said. He turned to Kat and squeezed her shoulder. "Go to Keleigh. We'll talk later."

And just like that, he walked into the study and left her alone to face the empty portrait gallery.

Keleigh was great company. Even if she huffed and puffed whenever Cage was around, she was joyous and talkative the rest of the day. She'd taken residence in one of the rooms in the castle, claiming she'd rented out her own house in the village for some extra coin. She mostly retreated to her room in the evening, refusing to have any meals with Cage.

Kat couldn't say she minded. She wanted to spend some time alone with him , and the two women spent the rest of the day together anyway. Just like Kat, Keleigh was curious and enjoyed hearing what Kat had learned since being in the castle regarding kingdom politics and matters of the state. She had an opinion about anything.

"They should let women rule," she'd say. "They're more levelheaded than men who can think of nothing else but conquest and spreading their seed."

Kat laughed, even if she only half-agreed. Men and women had their good sides and she thought they would best rule together. Just like she and Cage had made a great team against the wolves, just like they faced the portraits together every time they discussed strategy.

Cage's desire to involve her in his affairs brought more joy to Kat than anything had in a while. Maybe except for their stolen kisses, which unfortunately were short and far in-between. But she did notice that being close to her hurt him, that the bracers burned his skin whenever he got too intimate. At least the beast hadn't reared its head since, apparently contained by the iron.

The next few weeks turned out to be the best in Kat's life. She had Keleigh as a friend, she was involved in something that was bigger than her, and she wrote to her father weekly and received updates in return. Joshua was doing better and better, using the hours in which he wasn't working to develop the irrigation system she'd suggested in the autumn. And as an added bonus, Joey was very happy having Keleigh around.

Which made Kat so much more curious about them, but she contained it. She wasn't Erin and would let Keleigh talk whenever and if she felt the need to.

Life was perfect. As was her dinner with Cage that evening. For whatever reason, he was in a great mood as they chatted about his adventures at sea.

"There are that many pirate crews?" Kat asked in disbelief.

"You have no idea. And each of them have their own rules. Some are actually not so bad, just men seeking freedom from policies they don't agree with ."

A knot settled in Kat's throat. "Did you kill them?"

"Hell no! They might've called themselves pirates, but they were far from it. I actually left some of my men with them. I could never deny anyone their freedom. I was always very aware of how much it costs."

"Huh," she said, once again feeling a deep hatred towards the kingdom policy.

"Not everyone likes famine, poverty and blind obedience. And here I'm referring to Endir, too. Believe it or not, Iride is actually doing much better."

She could believe that. Endir sounded like a nightmare. She'd seen first hand the damage magic could do. "Your stories sound fascinating."

Cage nodded, a fond smile on his face. "Yeah. Joey and I had a lot of fun."

The affirmation brought a huff from the doorway. They both turned their heads to see Keleigh there, a pitcher of wine in her hands.

"Keleigh, hi," Kat said, feeling a bit awkward.

Cage watched her through narrowed eyes, as if something wasn't right. "Want to finally join us for dinner?"

"No. Just heard you laughing and thought you could use a drink," she said, her voice even. Without waiting for an answer, she headed for the table and filled Cage's empty glass. She turned to Kat next, but noticed she still had some left to she pulled the pitcher back.

"Come on, sit with us," Kat said. "Pour yourself a glass."

"I couldn't," Keleigh whispered, stepping back.

"Nonsense," Cage said. "You're our friend, not our servant. Sit with us."

"I'm not your friend," she hissed at him. "Not after what you did!"

"Keleigh!" Joey had appeared in his frame overlooking the table, disapproval lacing his tone.

"You can forgive and forget, Joey, but I can't," she said between her teeth, tears pouring down her face.

Kat looked from her to Joey, then Cage, trying to wrap her mind around the scene. Yes, Keleigh wasn't fond of Cage, she'd gathered that, but now there was undisguised hatred in her eyes which most certainly didn't fit with her intention to serve them.

"Joey, leave her alone," Cage said, his face much paler. "She's right."

"Your approval means nothing to me!" Keleigh yelled, dropping the pitcher. Wine sloshed on the stone floor together with shards of glass.

Kat and Cage both froze under her rage, watching her every move, how her chest heaved with her pants, how her eyes were glazed with tears.

"You," she whispered, "are a miserable creature."

"Keleigh, come on,"  Joey pleaded. 

Kat looked at the portrait and wanted to slap Keleigh for putting that much anguish on Joey's face.

Cage didn't seem phased by the obvious insult or his friend's sorrow. He just picked up his glass and toasted to her. "I couldn't agree more." And he downed the drink.

The glass slipped out of his hand and shattered against the edge of the table, sending more shards to the floor. Cage spat out the drink still in his mouth, his eyes wide with surprise. Kat watched him, her heart thumping unevenly, hoping what she thought hadn't just happened.

"What did you put in this?" Cage asked, his voice low and breathy, as if he were choking.

Keleigh raised her chin in the air. "Sibillian Viper venom. Enjoy."

Kat stood from her seat and pushed the chair to the floor. "You poisoned him?" 

Anger washed through her and the murderous voice in her ear swelled at the idea of losing Cage. His strength, his magic. For the first time, Kat didn't feel the need to smother them, because she agreed. In a moment, she was next to Keleigh and pushed her against the wall, right under Joey's frame. Her fingers found the iron dagger strapped to her thigh and she pressed the blade to Keleigh's throat.

"Kat, no," Joey pleaded. 

Keleigh didn't seem to care. She just watched Kat defiantly, her gaze cold and unyielding. 

"Give me one reason not to kill you," Kat spat between her teeth.

"I'll give you one." Unexpectedly, Cage stood, though he had one arm around his torso. "She did what needed to be done. A life for a life."

Kat turned to him in shock, lowering the weapon. Even Keleigh's stance dropped as her eyes widened and focused past Kat, on him.

"You wanted to know why Joey and Keleigh never got married," Cage started, his pained gazed fixed on Kat.

"Cage, please," Joey said.

This time, he was ignored. Cage leaned one hand against the table, his face screwed up in pain, looking seconds away from throwing up.

"They didn't get married because Joey died. Because I killed him."

Yes, I'm leaving you on this nasty cliffhanger. This is my second to last twist on the story and I'm wondering if it was a shock to you or you actually saw it coming.

Sadness for Keleigh. Sort of since she basically killed Cage. Do you hate her for what she did? And what do you think will happen next?

So give me your thoughts and hit the star for support! 😊