Teresa was a mistress to the king of humans. Even if she wasn't the queen, she knew how to talk with powerful, self-important men. She had spent a decade honing the skill of speaking in a way that made them feel like the world's most special person, all while slipping in just enough calculated flattery to soften their edges. But among the countless officials she'd entertained, the General before her now was different.

Every so often a fanatic emerged—a man who wasn't just ambitious or prideful, but one whose entire sense of self-worth was forged from ironclad belief in his own physical dominance. These men didn't want to be flattered. They wanted obedience.

So when she stood face to face with the General in the shadowy corridor outside the throne room, Teresa froze for the barest of seconds—long enough for Cassandra to notice.

The hallway was cold. Not just cool, but damp and oppressive. Cassandra's smirk wasn't helping in the slightest.

Swallowing her nerves, Teresa spoke, "Sir. I am honored that you came to see me—"

The man raised his hand.

"You won't talk, you will listen. I know what happened to my son."

His voice cut through her words like a sword through flesh and his cold eyes made her bladder loosen. But she kept her composure.

A sigh escaped the General and he reached for Corvin's throat, lifting him high with a single hand, his muscles straining with power.

"He died, didn't he? You are the shapeshifter, Teresa con Divina."

Oh fuck. He knew? How?

But before she could speak, Cassandra put her hand on General Stamiss' arm, her expression calm.

"You truly are a buffoon, Stamiss," She let out a dramatic sigh, "Can't you see he defected to act as a spy? That boy is loyal to his prince, Prince Basil. He has infiltrated the Ashfen to report on their defenses."

Teresa watched the general's expression turn from cold anger to confusion. She nodded along, grateful for the sudden save of the older woman. But her heart was still pounding.

"Is that true son? Why didn't you tell me?" The man loosened his grip and lowered Corvin to the ground, who gasped for air. He looked up at his father with a fearful expression.

"Yes sir. I wanted to prove my value and earn a promotion. I couldn't say anything with Prince Orias in the room." His voice was hoarse from being choked.

Stamiss stared at him and then sighed, running a hand over his face. The tension in his shoulders was still there.

"If that is true then I can understand. But why did the prince have you kneeling on the ground like a common soldier if you were his spy?" He raised a brow.

That was a good question. Teresa glanced at Cassandra, whose lips were curled in a knowing smirk. Her heart was hammering again. What was this crazy woman going to say?

Cassandra's finger landed on her lip, as she hummed in thought.

"It wouldn't make sense for a defector to stand tall in front of his new master, would it? That is why Ori had to punish him publicly to maintain appearances." She explained with a logical tone.

Teresa wanted to slap herself for not thinking of that excuse but she blamed it on fear. This man could snap her like a twig.

With a furrowed brow, Stamiss crossed his arms.

"If you're going to play the spy, at least play it properly. Send a letter to Basil to inform me of your status." He shook his head and glanced at the snake demi-human next to him, his expression annoyed.

Coughing, Corvin stood up and nodded. "Yes sir. I planned to but the province is poor. There were no couriers and no resources."

Another lie but one the General bought. His arms dropped to his sides and he turned to leave, the matter settled. Then he paused and looked at Corvin again, his gaze piercing, staring at Corvin up and down as if something was wrong with his appearance.

Teresa held her breath.

"What is your mother's name?" Stamiss suddenly asked. "Shapeshifters can't inherit the memories of the ones they mimic."

Oh shit.

A shiver ran down her spine. Teresa didn't know Corvin's mother and she doubted even her son would. Unfortunately they didn't get a chance to interrogate Corvin while Vara ate him alive.

Her heart stopped as she waited for Cassandra to help her again but the older woman didn't say a word. She was just smiling at the spectacle. Damn it.

Stalling for time, Teresa pretended to cough into her fist as if she was still out of breath. Corvin looked at his father with a confused face.

"Sir of course I remember. My mother's name—" he paused, his eyes darting to Cassandra, who shook her head subtly.

Why was she not helping now? Did she want to see her fail? Was this a sick game?

Then Teresa thought about Cassandra's gesture and gambled everything on it.

"—Is not something I care for anymore. Such a weak woman. Why bring her up?" Corvin spoke, his voice laced with annoyance.

The General narrowed his eyes. Teresa could hear her heartbeat in her ears, the silence was too much. But the moment passed and Stamiss scoffed, dismissing the topic with a wave of his hand.

"Whatever. Go back to your spying, I will report to Prince Basil that everything is under control. Try to stay alive son." His back was to them as he left, his heavy steps echoing in the hallway.

Only Corvin and Cassandra were in the hall and finally Corvin exhaled before glancing at the laughing woman next to him.

"Teresa. You almost blew your cover—"

Immediately shifting back to her original form, Teresa grabbed Cassandra's collar and pushed her against the stone wall.

"You insane harlot! What was that stunt back there? I thought you wanted to help us?" She whispered, her hands trembling with the aftermath of fear and anger.

Cassandra chuckled, not intimidated by her actions.

"If you were Ori then I'd help without question. But I wasn't going to do all the hardwork for you. I was curious to see if you could use your own brain to fool that muscle for a brain General. And you did! Congratulations." She clapped, her eyes shining with mischief.

Teresa's face burned with frustration and she released Cassandra. The older woman fixed her dress with a hum, as if nothing happened.

"In exchange for my help, I want to talk to my favorite prince alone in his private chamber. Can you make it happen, Teresa?" She purred, her eyes on the door behind her. "Or should I be a saint and tell the truth to a certain General?"

The threat made Teresa's stomach twist.

"Fine. I will tell Ori to come see you. Go to the highest floor and wait for him. The last door on the left." She gestured to the stairs.

Cassandra hummed again, satisfied and left. Teresa watched her disappear around the corner and then she took a deep breath.