Kal-El had known his feelings were forbidden, even before all this. The crown prince of the Kingdom of El could never be with a spy from the Kingdom of Storms. It was his duty to marry for the good of his kingdom, after all. Still, his heart betrayed him at every turn, giving itself fully to one he could never have.

He knew, from the start, that he was falling for a spy. How could he not? His hearing was exceptional, and unlike the rest of his family, with other priorities, Kal-El often found his attention wandering to the one he loved. He heard every subtle shift in his love's heartbeat, every soft whisper, every stroke of the pen and crinkle of the paper in each forbidden letter sent covertly to the enemy nation.

But he also heard the soft gasps, the speeding of the pulse, the way the spy's throat grew tight in his presence. His love was reciprocated, of this he was certain. Still, he was a prince and the royal heir, and duty demanded that he keep his feelings to himself.

Now his father was dead, killed by an assassin from Storms, and the one he loved in secret had become his mortal enemy. Kal-El should've ousted the traitor, he knew. He should be furious, cursing the spy's name, ripping the love from his heart and casting it out into the abyss. And yet—

"We need to speak," he said quietly, his blue gaze downcast. "About who you are. And please, don't lie to me. I already know. I've always known."