Novels by Lili Crown

"What a lovely way to start my day," I muttered with a rare smile, carefully holding Selene's letter. Her familiar scent of grapes and lavender still lingered on the paper, driving me crazy.Just as I began to read it again, a knock at the door disrupted the peace of the moment. My smile faltered slightly, but I immediately recognized the faint scent of metals; it could only be her."Come in, Natalie," I said without looking up, my voice calm but firm.The door creaked open, and Natalie stepped inside, her graceful movements and steady demeanour as composed as ever. She was one of the few in the empire who dared approach me unannounced. Her sharp eyes scanned the room before settling on me, and a faint smile tugged at her lips."Good morning, Your Highness," she greeted, her tone polite but laced with curiosity. "I see you've received something… interesting."I folded Selene's letter, "What is it, Natalie?" I asked, keeping my expression neutral. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk, n

ETHAN'S POVThe clash of swords rang in my ears, but my mind wasn’t in the fight. Every movement, every swing, every parry felt hollow, mechanical. I could tell Valdemar, my sparring partner, was growing frustrated. His strikes became sharper, more precise as if he was daring me to retaliate with the ferocity I was known for.But I didn’t. My thoughts were elsewhere—on her.Selene.She hadn’t replied to any of my letters. I’d sent so many, each carefully crafted yet desperate, hoping for some sign that she was okay. The silence gnawed at me like a huge rock was placed on my chest.“Crown Prince Ethan!” Valdemar’s sharp voice cut through the haze in my mind. His blade hovered a hair’s breadth from my chest. I hadn’t even registered his approach.My eyes narrowed, meeting his steely gaze. “What?” I snapped, my voice cold as ice.“You’re distracted,” he said bluntly, lowering his sword. “If this were a real fight, you’d be dead.”I sheathed my blade with a deliberate motion, the scrape o

"Sel," Claudio began, his voice steady but heavy with concern. "The celestial power sealed within you is breaking down. Your body can withstand it, but it will take time—and a lot of meditation—to adjust. As a result, you may experience temporary blindness whenever you tap into the celestial power."His words struck me like a thunderclap, silencing the thoughts racing through my mind. I swallowed hard, my voice trembling as I asked, "You’re saying every time I use the celestial power, there’s a risk of losing my sight?"Claudio nodded solemnly, his eyes meeting mine. "Yes. Today, I was able to cast a rejuvenating spell to help you find balance. Without it, you would have been without your sight for at least twenty-four hours.""A whole day…" I repeated, the weight of his words settling over me. I forced a sad smile, trying to mask the growing unease in my chest. "Well, that’s not as bad as I thought." I hesitated, glancing down at my hands before whispering, "For a moment, though, I t

My heart dropped again at my own words, the weight of them crashing down on me like a tidal wave.The darkness pressed in, thick and suffocating, wrapping around me like an old, cruel companion I had hoped to never meet again. It was the same as before—the endless void, the familiar feeling of weakness and helplessness. My body froze, unresponsive, while my mind spiralled into a panic."My lady!" Ruby's voice broke through the oppressive silence, sharp and filled with worry. I could hear her footsteps rushing toward me, the faint sound of paper rustling as the writing materials were pushed aside.My trembling hands rose to my face, my fingers brushing over my eyes. I blinked—once, twice—but the darkness remained. My chest tightened painfully as dread clawed its way up my throat."I… I don’t understand," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. My words trembled as much as my hands.Ruby knelt beside me, her hands gently cupping my shoulders as she shook me lightly, trying to draw me bac

I didn’t want to make them worry again, so it seemed best to head back to my quarters. And yet, my heart ached with anticipation to read my Mate's letter. Just the thought of it warmed me in ways I hadn’t realized I needed. "I’ll send word to them," Ruby said, her voice steady, and I nodded in agreement. Hand in hand, we made our way back to my quarters. As we arrived, I noticed the six wolves guarding the gate. I recognized them instantly. They sensed my presence before I could even speak, their deep, resonant howls filling the air in unison. The sound was a song of reverence, a celebration of my return. Their fur shimmered under the moonlight, their eyes glowing with recognition as they stood in their full, imposing forms. The moment I approached, they howled again, softer this time, as if acknowledging my return. Their joy was palpable, and it lifted my spirits more than I could have imagined. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, warmth flooding my chest at the sight of th

"Oh, what would I do without you?" I asked, shaking my head, the faintest trace of amusement in my voice.Claudio grinned, his confidence shining through as he replied without missing a beat, "Nothing."I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound breaking through the lingering tension like sunlight piercing through storm clouds. He joined in, his deep chuckle blending with mine, and for a moment, the heaviness of everything we faced felt a little more bearable."You’re insufferable," I said, still smiling."And yet, you’d be lost without me," he teased, his tone light but his gaze warm and steady.I rolled my eyes, but my smile didn’t falter. "I hate that you’re right.""Get used to it," he said with a wink, leaning back against the nearby tree.As the moon continued to cast its soft glow over us, I realized that no matter how hard the road ahead would be, I would always have Claudio by my side. I silently thanked the Moon Goddess for our friendship.But then, a prickle of unease crawled up