Lyra sat with Kane at breakfast, the grand dining hall filled with the hum of quiet conversations. Despite the opulence surrounding them - glittering chandeliers, intricately carved furniture and sunlight streaming through tall windows - Lyra’s focus was elsewhere.Elyra’s cryptic words from the day before lingered in her mind. Fragments of truth. The idea that the stone could hold answers about her father’s disappearance gnawed at her, filling her with both hope and trepidation.“What’s on your mind?” Kane’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. His piercing gaze was softened with concern, his hand resting lightly on hers.Lyra hesitated, then sighed. “I keep thinking about what Elyra said. About the stone revealing truths. If there’s even a chance it can tell me what happened to my father... I need to know.”Kane nodded, his expression serious. “Then we’ll keep working with Elyra. We’ll get to the bottom of this, Lyra. I promise.”Before Lyra could respond, the King entered the hall,
The castle buzzed with quiet intensity in the days leading up to the celestial alignment. Lyra could feel the shift in energy, an almost tangible anticipation hanging in the air. Servants scurried through the halls with armfuls of decor, their steps quick and deliberate. The King himself had taken a noticeable interest in the preparations, overseeing arrangements for what would undoubtedly be a momentous event.Lyra sat at her vanity in their shared chambers, brushing out her hair as Kane lounged nearby, a casual strength in the way he leaned against the doorframe. His dark eyes were fixed on her reflection, a quiet intensity in his gaze.“You’ve been distracted,” he noted, breaking the silence.Lyra paused, the brush stilling in her hand. “There’s just... a lot to process. The alignment, Elyra’s guidance, and now - possibly finding out about my father. It feels like too much all at once.”Kane crossed the room, his presence a calming force. He crouched beside her, taking the brush fr
The night of the celestial alignment arrived with an air of solemnity and wonder that seeped into every corner of the castle. The grand hall had been transformed into a sanctuary of glowing lights and celestial imagery. Silver and deep blue drapes cascaded from the high ceilings, mimicking the night sky. Lanterns shaped like crescent moons and stars cast an ethereal glow, their reflections dancing across the polished marble floors.Lyra stood in her chambers, gazing out of the window at the darkening sky. The stars seemed brighter tonight, their light sharper and more vibrant, as if they too anticipated what was about to unfold. The stone in her possession hummed softly, a gentle vibration that she could feel through her entire body.She turned to Elyra, who stood in the room’s center, holding a bowl of herbs and oils for the ritual. The witch’s calm, collected demeanor was a stark contrast to Lyra’s swirling thoughts.“Is it normal for the stone to feel... alive?” Lyra asked, holding
The grand hall of the castle buzzed with anticipation as Lyra prepared for her first official gathering as a royal. The event, arranged by the King himself, was intended to further solidify her presence as a Princess and future Queen. It was a chance to meet the kingdom’s subjects, listen to their concerns, and strengthen the bond between the crown and the people.Standing in front of the mirror in her chambers, Lyra adjusted the delicate silver tiara resting on her head. Her gown, a soft lavender trimmed with silver embroidery, flowed gracefully around her, a perfect blend of regal elegance and approachable warmth.“I feel like I’m playing dress-up,” she muttered, glancing over at Kane, who stood leaning against the doorway, watching her with a soft smile.“You look every bit the Princess,” he said, his voice steady and reassuring. He crossed the room and gently placed his hands on her shoulders, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “They’ll love you, Lyra. Just be yourself.”She turned t
The moon hung high in the velvet sky as Lyra and Kane retreated to the sanctuary of their private chambers. The evening’s gathering had left them both drained yet exhilarated, the weight of their roles momentarily lifted as they closed the heavy doors behind them.Lyra let out a deep sigh, leaning back against the door. “I thought my head would explode if I had to hear one more ‘Your Highness.’”Kane chuckled softly, crossing the room to pour them each a glass of wine. “You handled it beautifully, Lyra. They’re beginning to see you as I do - strong, confident, and irresistible.”She raised an eyebrow as she took the glass he offered. “Irresistible, hmm? Is that a royal decree?”“Absolutely.” His voice dropped to a low rumble, the playful glint in his eyes shifting to something darker, more intense.Lyra felt a shiver race down her spine, her pulse quickening as Kane closed the distance between them. He took her glass and set it aside, his hands sliding to her waist.“All night, I’ve b
The first light of dawn spilled into the castle, illuminating the intricate carvings on the walls and the gilded edges of the furniture in their chamber. Lyra woke slowly, her body still relaxed from the night before. Kane’s arm was draped possessively around her waist, his warmth enveloping her like a shield.She shifted slightly, careful not to disturb him, but his golden eyes flickered open almost immediately. A soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he tightened his hold on her.“Good morning, my mate,” he murmured, his voice still husky from sleep.Lyra smiled, running her fingers lightly over his chest. “Good morning.”They stayed like that for a while, basking in the quiet intimacy of the moment. But as the sun climbed higher in the sky, reality began to intrude on their sanctuary. The castle was waking up, and with it came the responsibilities and challenges they couldn’t ignore.After a quick breakfast in their private dining area, a knock at the door signaled the ar
The morning dawned bright and crisp, with a clear sky that promised good weather for the days ahead. Lyra awoke to the sound of bustling activity outside her window - servants preparing for the festival, guards making their rounds, and the steady hum of life in the castle.She stretched lazily, her wolf stirring in her mind. Another day to prove ourselves, Thalia said, her tone both resolute and encouraging.Lyra smiled faintly. Or another day to dodge scrolls being thrown at us, she quipped back, earning a soft chuckle from her wolf.Kane was already up, fastening the last clasp on his tailored tunic. The deep green fabric brought out the molten gold of his eyes and his broad shoulders filled the room with an air of authority. He looked every bit the commanding prince, his sharp features softened slightly when his gaze landed on her.“You were peaceful in your sleep,” he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he walked toward her.Lyra rolled her eyes and slipped out of bed.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the castle gardens. Every corner of the grounds had been transformed into a breathtaking scene of celebration. Lanterns floated in the air, casting soft, flickering light over the flowers blooming in vibrant hues. Tables adorned with fine linens and golden candelabras framed the walkways, and musicians played a lively tune that danced on the cool evening breeze.Lyra stood before her mirror, her heart pounding with anticipation and a touch of nervousness. The gown she wore shimmered in shades of silver and midnight blue, its intricate embroidery glinting like the stars themselves. The fabric cascaded down her frame, elegant yet powerful, perfectly suited for her first festival as a princess. Her hair was swept into an intricate braid, adorned with small, glowing crystals that reflected the light around her. The final touch was a delicate tiara resting atop her head - a symbol of her newfound place in the kingdom.Behin
Lyra’s POVThe morning broke silver and quiet, shrouded in a mist that clung to the castle’s stone like breath on glass. Pale light filtered through the stained-glass windows of their chamber, casting fractured colors across the floor. It should have been beautiful - ethereal, even - but to Lyra, it felt heavy. Still.She sat at the edge of the bed, bare feet pressed to the cold floor, her elbows resting on her thighs, and her fingers laced together tightly enough to turn her knuckles white. Her hair clung in damp strands to the back of her neck, still tangled from sleep, though the dream had done anything but offer rest.Kane stirred behind her. She didn’t turn. She felt him before he touched her - his warmth, his scent, the tension coiled in his chest like a storm waiting for its cue to break."You're still trembling," he said softly.Was she? "Tell me exactly what did you saw." Kane requested softly. Lyra blinked and looked down at her hands. Thalia was quiet inside her, but not
Nyxar’s Point of ViewThe memory left a taste of blood in his mouth.Nyxar sat in the shadows of the council chamber’s ruined antechamber, long after the last of the murmuring nobles had gone, after Kane had led Lyra away with that overprotective fire in his eyes. After silence had crept back into the halls like a loyal hound returning to its master.His fingers curled on the armrest of the abandoned stone throne he now claimed for himself - not as ruler, not as ally, but as something older. Stranger. Stronger. Something none of them yet understood. Not even Lyra.Especially not Lyra.He tilted his head back and let his eyes drift shut, but the memory still clung to the inside of his eyelids like soot. Her scream - no, not Lyra’s. Her scream. The First Queen.He had not meant to remember. He never did. And yet, her blood was still on his hands.The Harbinger hadn’t screamed. Not when she struck him. Not when the blade pierced bone and eternity alike.Only she had.She had wept, not fo
Nyxar’s POVHe stood alone on one of the castle’s silent terraces, the crescent moon casting a silver sheen over the empty garden below. The night air hung heavy - so still, it could’ve been trapped in time. Stars above blinked faintly, as though watching. Waiting.But Nyxar wasn’t truly here.His body stood in the present, a shell cloaked in shadows and scars. His mind, however, had already slipped sideways - dragged by something unseen, something ancient and unforgiving. He didn’t fight it.Because the moment always came. And every time, it bled him raw.The first thing he remembered was the wind - wild, feral, roaring with the anguish of a dying world. It howled through the high halls of the old palace, sweeping ash and embers in spirals around crumbling columns. The sky had turned crimson, split with veins of black. The earth had trembled under the weight of fate.And in the center of it all, she stood.The First Queen.Tall. Unyielding. Drenched in war and starlight.Her silver h
The moon had crept high over the mountains by the time Lyra and Kane finally found rest.Their chamber was bathed in silvery light, soft shadows stretching across stone walls and silk sheets. The distant hum of the castle had long since quieted, but Lyra’s mind would not still. Too many voices echoed in her memory - the council’s doubts, Nyxar’s unsettling smile, and above them all, the whisper of something older. Something ancient clawing at the edges of her soul.She lay beside Kane, his hand resting on her waist, thumb tracing idle circles on her bare skin. He hadn't spoken in several minutes, but he didn’t need to. His presence alone was a weight anchoring her in place. Steadying her.“You’re still awake,” he said softly, lips brushing the shell of her ear.Lyra sighed, not denying it. “I can’t shut it off. My mind. Thalia. The Queen…”Kane shifted closer, draping an arm across her, letting her tuck into his chest.“She’s louder now,” Lyra murmured. “Ever since the summoning… it’
Lyra’s POVThe castle’s rooftop garden was drenched in silver moonlight, the air sharp with the scent of frost-dusted herbs and dying roses. It was quiet here, far above the murmuring halls, away from the war room’s tension and Nyxar’s unsettling grin.Lyra stood near the stone ledge, her arms wrapped around herself as the cold wind played with her hair. Kane was close, silent, watchful. Neither of them had said much since the meeting ended, but the weight of it lingered - coiling in the spaces between breaths.“He unsettles them,” she said finally, voice low.Kane, leaning against the wall beside her, didn’t look at her when he answered. “He unsettles me.”She glanced at him, the hard line of his jaw shadowed by moonlight. “Because he knows things we don’t? Or because he doesn’t fear us?”Kane’s golden gaze met hers then. “Because he reminds me of what’s out there. What we haven’t faced yet.”Lyra nodded. “The Harbinger.”A beat of silence.“Do you remember what Nyxar said?” she aske
Lyra's POV The war room buzzed with quiet murmurs and cautious glances. The circular table at the heart of the chamber, carved from obsidian and etched with the runes of past rulers, hadn’t seen this level of tension in weeks. The High Council was assembling - lords, advisors, and surviving generals of the fractured realm. Every seat was filled.Kane stood at the head of the table, his posture straight, his golden eyes sharp. Beside him, Lyra exuded icy composure, though a low flicker of energy coiled beneath her skin - Thalia was restless, watching.Only one seat remained empty, deliberately left open.The one meant for a god… or a monster."Where is he?" Lord Rhogan asked, one brow arched in suspicion. "This entity you brought into our castle. The being who answered your summons...""He will be here," Lyra interrupted coolly, her voice slicing through the chatter. "And he’s not just our concern anymore. He heard the Harbinger’s call. That makes him everyone’s problem."A wave of di
The morning air was still. But Nyxar was not.He stood on the highest tower of the castle, unmoving, save for the subtle twitch of his fingers against the stone. The dawn had begun its slow creep across the sky, spilling soft hues of rose and gold over the jagged peaks below. Cold wind sliced around him, howling like some ancient beast - but he didn’t flinch.He breathed it in. Or at least, he mimicked the motion. It had been a long time since he’d drawn air into lungs.Longer still since he’d needed to. But now… something in him wanted to.He turned his gaze toward the east, toward the distant forest where the ruins of his last prison lay buried beneath centuries of silence and death. It had taken the Queen's blood and the witches howl to wake him. To break the veil that kept his soul adrift in shadow.And now, he watched the world through new eyes.Human eyes.That thought curled in his mind like smoke.Nyxar flexed his hand and watched his fingers stretch and move. Not claws. Not
The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the embers in the fireplace. Shadows flickered across the stone walls, wrapping around them like silent witnesses.Kane moved with purpose, his golden eyes dark with something primal. His grip on Lyra’s waist tightened as he pulled her against him, their bodies flush, heat radiating between them.The kiss was not gentle. It was fierce, consuming - lips and tongues clashing as if they were fighting for control, yet neither willing to surrender.His hands roamed, rough and possessive, claiming every inch of her he touched. Lyra arched into him, a soft gasp escaping as his teeth scraped against the delicate skin of her throat, sending a shiver of pleasure through her."Mine," Kane growled against her neck, his voice raw with emotion, with need.Lyra's fingers tangled in his hair, gripping hard enough to make him groan. "Yours," she whispered, breathless. But the fire in her eyes challenged him - daring him to prove it.Kane’s jaw tensed. His
Kane's POV The chamber doors shut with a muted thud, sealing them in silence. The lingering tension from their encounter with Nyxar clung to the air like a ghost that refused to fade. The room was warm from the crackling hearth, but the cold weight of uncertainty pressed against Kane’s chest.Lyra moved first, stripping off her heavy cloak and placing it over the chair by the fireplace. Kane remained near the door, his fingers flexing at his sides. His wolf was restless, pacing beneath his skin.She knew. She always knew.“You don’t trust him,” Lyra said, pulling the pins from her hair. The strands tumbled over her shoulders in a dark cascade, her reflection sharp in the polished mirror. Her voice was steady, but he didn’t miss the slight tension in her shoulders.Kane unfastened the high collar of his jacket, stepping toward her. “Should I?”Lyra met his gaze in the mirror, her eyes unreadable. “He knelt.”“So did the most dangerous creatures before they struck,” Kane countered, his