Duskwind and Fenric had always seen themselves as the smartest men in the room.

  Cunning. Calculated. Two steps ahead.

  Even now, as they moved deeper into their web of deception, they believed they were in control.

  They weren’t.

  But they didn’t know that yet.

  ---

  They met under the cover of night, as they always did.

  A secluded spot on the outskirts of the Verdant Nexus, far enough from the watchful eyes of Selene’s more loyal followers.

  The Fae Lord of Foxes was already waiting for them, lounging against the gnarled roots of a twisted tree, his many tails flicking idly.

  Duskwind had learned to hate that look.

  Foxes was always watching, always listening, always smiling that smug, knowing smile.

  And the worst part?

  Duskwind could never tell if he was playing along or if he was playing them.

  It didn’t matter.

  Soon, they would make their move.

  And when Selene’s empire began to fracture, Foxes would have no choice but to see things their way.

  ---

  “You’re late,” Foxes said casually, golden eyes gleaming in the dim light.

  Duskwind didn’t bother answering.

  Instead, he folded his arms, getting straight to the point.

  “Ironveil fell.”

  Foxes tilted his head, his ears twitching. “Did it now?”

  Duskwind scowled. “Don’t play games. You already know.”

  Foxes grinned.

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  “Of course I do. But it’s more fun hearing you say it.”

  Fenric exhaled sharply.

  “This isn’t a joke,” he muttered.

  Foxes sighed dramatically.

  “Fine, fine. So, Ironveil is gone. Selene won. Blackwell bent the knee. What does that change?”

  Duskwind’s jaw tightened.

  “It changes everything.”

  Fenric nodded. “She didn’t just take the city. She took the man who built it. And she took his army.”

  Foxes didn’t look particularly concerned.

  “So? You already knew she was good at making people kneel.”

  Duskwind leaned forward slightly.

  “You don’t understand. Blackwell wasn’t a weak ruler. He was cautious. Careful. He didn’t fall because of brute force. He fell because of something else.”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “She’s not just strong. She’s inevitable.”

  ---

  For the first time, Foxes looked mildly interested.

  His tails slowed their flickering, his golden eyes sharpening just a fraction.

  “Inevitable, huh?” he mused.

  Duskwind exhaled.

  “You’ve seen it. No matter what happens, she wins.”

  Fenric clenched his fists.

  “We keep waiting for her to make a mistake. But she doesn’t.”

  Duskwind nodded.

  “And if we don’t act soon, we won’t be able to at all.”

  Foxes smiled faintly.

  “And so what?” he asked lazily. “You want me to help you kill her?”

  Duskwind tensed.

  “…Not yet.”

  Foxes raised an eyebrow.

  “‘Not yet,’” he repeated. “Interesting choice of words.”

  Duskwind ignored the bait.

  “She has weaknesses,” he said. “She has to.”

  Foxes tilted his head. “Oh?”

  Fenric stepped in. “The Fae. They’re bound to her, sure, but that doesn’t mean they don’t think. They don’t question.”

  He gestured toward Foxes.

  “You’ve already admitted it, haven’t you? Nothing is unbreakable.”

  Foxes laughed softly.

  “That’s true.”

  Duskwind felt a flicker of triumph.

  “We don’t need to turn everyone against her,” he pressed. “Just enough.”

  Foxes sighed, stretching out his arms lazily.

  “And if she catches on?”

  Duskwind smirked.

  “She won’t.”

  Foxes didn’t answer immediately.

  Instead, he let the silence stretch.

  Then, finally, he sighed.

  “Well,” he said, “if you’re really that convinced…”

  He leaned forward slightly.

  “Maybe I’d be willing to listen.”

  ---

  Duskwind felt his heart pound.

  This was it.

  The first crack in Selene’s empire.

  The first Fae Lord willing to at least consider actual rebellion.

  This was how it began.

  Fenric exhaled slowly.

  “Then let’s talk,” he said.

  Foxes grinned.

  “Let’s.”

  ---

  The meeting ended shortly after.

  Duskwind and Fenric left, feeling victorious.

  They had planted the seed.

  Now, they just had to wait for it to grow.

  Foxes, however, remained where he was, his many tails swaying slowly in the dim light.

  And then, when he was alone—

  He laughed.

  ---

  The next morning, Foxes stood before Selene.

  His grin was sharp, amused.

  “They think they’re winning,” he said.

  Selene leaned back in her throne, golden eyes gleaming.

  “Good.”

  Foxes flicked his tails.

  “They’re trying really hard to make me doubt you, you know.”

  Selene smiled faintly.

  “And what do you think?”

  Foxes chuckled.

  “I think they’re entertaining.”

  Selene exhaled softly.

  She had known this moment was coming.

  She had known Duskwind and Fenric would grow desperate.

  Now, she simply had to let them believe they were making progress.

  And when the moment was right—

  She would end their little game.

  Permanently.