Just imagining some other women in Liam’s arms shattered her heart into millions of pieces, “I am never going to come face-to-face with him once I leave this place, so I will be fine”
“So you can’t see him with any other person” At this words Elena just turned her head in another direction not wanting to speak. Theodore let out a deep sigh as he placed a hand on her shoulders and squeezed it lightly. “Elle listen to me the war that is to come in the future is for the whole dragon world to face not you alone, and when this is going to happen is uncertain, you can’t waste your whole life the fear of that moment, you have to live your life” “But my death in that war is certain Theo… I cant leave more broken hearts behind” Elena said as a teardrop fell from her eye. “It’s not Elle… it’s not. Aren’t we looking for a way out? Don’t speak like that” Theodore spoke a bit frustrated. “You are speaking of the cure which we have been searchLiam’s jaw tensed at the word friend. He let go of Theodore’s hand and took a step closer to Elena, his presence suddenly more imposing. “I see.”Elena sighed, sensing the rising tension and spoke for the first time since Liam entered “Liam, come sit with us.”But Liam didn’t move right away. His gaze flickered to Theodore, who had comfortably sat back beside Elena, before he finally took a seat across from them instead of next to her.“So,” Liam said, his tone deceptively calm, “what exactly brings you here, Theodore?”Theodore leaned back, completely at ease. “Well, my kingdom received an invitation to the upcoming ceremony. And since I was free, I thought I’d come early to explore Asterin.” He glanced at Elena with a smile. “And I’ve been lucky to have meet her and Alisha, they have been such a good company.”Liam’s grip on his knee tightened slightly. “Is that so?”Elena, realizing where this was going, quickly cut in. “Theo
Then as they stared at each other, out of nowhere something else clicked in Liam mind as his eyes darkened as he asked in a sour tone “What about your so called fiancé? You have not kissed him before?”Elena stiffened, her breath catching at Liam’s words. The air between them grew heavier, charged with an unspoken tension that sent a shiver down her spine.“My… fiancé?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper, remembering the small lie she had said I the beginning which had completely slipped her mind in these past few days.Liam’s jaw clenched as he took a step closer, his piercing gaze never leaving hers. “You’re engaged, aren’t you?” His tone was sharp, almost accusing. “And yet, you’ve never kissed him?”Elena swallowed hard, suddenly feeling trapped between his presence and the cold railing behind her. “It’s… complicated.”
After dinner Liam went back to his room and sat down on the resting sofa next to his bed.“Come out” Liam spoke in a lazy voice.As soon as the words left a man clad in a silver-black robe, with his face completely covered in a hood walked out from an inconspicuous corner of the room.He walked to where Liam was sitting and took of his hood before bowing respectfully “Boss”.“What have you found out Peter?” Liam asked his toon still lazy, but if observed properly one can see the underlying seriousness.The man straightened from his bow, his sharp, calculating green eyes meeting Liam’s“Boss as you had asked Bella and myself conducted our search based on the info Gabriel shared with us, we did not find any digital footprint on this name, no SM accounts, no one mentioned it in any conversations and those we found with that name are either dead or very old. But—” Peter paused for a sec
Meanwhile in Eldoria…Salis finally managed to reach his friend’s private laboratory.After getting out of the portal he had to travelled for more than 24 hours on foot without getting caught as this laboratory where his friend worked was a secured facility which was not open to outsiders. His friend had to pull in some favours to sneak him in discreetly.As Salis and his friend Felix reached the secured chamber, Felix keyed in the access code to his lab and the heavy metal door hissed open. Inside, a variety of advanced equipment flickered with glowing lights, waiting to be used.Once they were inside Felix said “You owe me big time for this” adjusting his glasses he continued “I had to pull more strings than I’d like to, keep this quiet.”“Don’t worry, as promised I will give you the new pill I developed for hair growth” Salis muttered distractedly, setting his bag down and pulled out t
Time flew by fast. It was the night before the ceremony, Elena laid down on the couch in her room closing her eyes.To anyone who sees her it looked like she was resting but the truth was far from that. She was speaking to her familiar, Sapphire through their mind link.As the restraints of the seal had started to weaken, she could use some of her powers now. Unless and until she does not overexert herself there were no problem."What did you find?" Elena asked through their mental link, her voice calm but firm.Sapphire’s voice echoed in her mind, tinged with slight irritation. “First of all, remind me to never take Kieran on a stealth mission again. That guy moves like a damn boulder rolling downhill.”Elena sighed “Sapphire”.“Fine, fine. We scouted the location near the Dark Forest where the calls were traced and searching for so long we finally found a cave in a hidden corner of another forest area ne
“Knock knock…”The light knocks on her room door brought back Elena out of her thoughts.She went to check herself in the mirror, making sure her make-up was not spoilt then eased out the wrinkles on her knee length dress and smoothened her messed up hair.Once she was sure that she looked perfect she went to open the door.As the door opened she was mesmerized as she looked at Liam who stood before her, his broad shoulders and perfectly tailored tuxedo making him look effortlessly regal. The deep purple fabric shimmered slightly under the hallway’s soft lighting, enhancing the intensity of his violet eyes. His usual unruly hair had been styled slightly, though a few rebellious strands still fell over his forehead, adding to his natural charm.Elena felt her breath hitch for a moment before she quickly composed herself. She had seen Liam countless times, but tonight—tonight was different.Liam’s gaze swept over her, his expression unreadable
Liam chuckled, shaking his head “Don’t get used to it.”She laughed and took the seat he offered, allowing herself to soak in the atmosphere. Everything about this moment—the hidden garden, the warm glow of the lanterns, the quiet night air—felt surreal, almost like a dream.Liam took the seat across from her and poured them both a glass of wine “To a night with no interruptions,” he said, raising his glass.Elena raised an eyebrow but clinked her glass against his “That almost sounds like wishful thinking.”Liam smirked “Call it optimism.”They sipped their drinks, the silence between them comfortable, filled with the distant hum of the water and the rustling leaves.“So,” Elena started, setting her glass down “Why did you plan this date suddenly out of nowhere?” Her voice was calm but filled with curiosity.Liam gave a mischievous smile as he s
The next day morning…Everyone of the staff members were busy in the place today.While some working staff were giving the final touches for the decoration in the palace, the others were preparing for the arrival of the guests, and the chefs were busy preparing the food.The Great Hall had been transformed into a place of reverence and beauty. Soft silver and black drapes cascaded from the towering pillars, symbolizing the colours of mourning. Silver lanterns, enchanted with an everlasting glow, floated gently across the hall, their light flickering like the whispers of souls long departed.The chandeliers, usually grand and golden, had been dimmed to emit a soft, bluish-white light, casting an ethereal glow over the gathering.At the centre of the hall, an ornate memorial altar stood tall, crafted from pure white marble and adorned with crystal roses. An enormous portrait of the young Aisha was framed and placed in the centre of the intrica
Elena just sat there in a daze after Master Kai completed reciting the story as she processed the information inside her head. Master Kai also sat there dazing of thinking over the old memories.Knock, knock…The soft knocks on Elena’s room door brought them back to reality. As both of them turned towards the door they say Kevin peeking his head in through the slightly open door.“Master, Mr. Henery and Mrs. Elizabeth are waiting outside” Kevin spoke softly.“Just give us a minute” Master Kai replied with an expressionless face, to which Kevin just nodded in understanding and closed the door.Master Kai turned back to Elena as he opened his space ring and took out a jade slip. He handed it to Elena as he said “This was given to me by queen Zenobia before her death, she told me she would be reborn to complete the task that she had left to un complete and I should give this to her when she started rememberin
Her grief had transformed her. Hardened her. She had become relentless—a queen cloaked in vengeance. She tore through every clue, followed every trail, spilled blood with her own hands if it meant getting closer to the truth. Her enemies began to whisper of her not as a ruler, but as a storm.Yet after all the years of searching, she found nothing. The truth eluded her. Because the one she was looking for… had always been by her side.It was Ernest.The boy who had once followed her through gardens. The man who had stood at her side through war and loss. The friend who offered her support while hiding the truth.He had colluded with the dark forced, completely deviating from the path of spiritual power. He had mastered the dark power to the extent that he had now become their lord ruling over them.Earnest had watched Zenobia weep and rage and kill for answers he already held. He had whispered counsel while burying the past beneath car
The Queen Zenobia was still a princess when she got engaged to the Crown Prince of Alynthia, Richard Beaufort, but Ernest did not like it.He and the Queen were childhood friends, if I have to be truthful he had no other friends other than her.They grew up side by side in the quiet gardens and sunlit corridors of the palace, sharing secrets and laughter beneath the shade of old olive trees. Ernest, the son of the royal falconer, had always trailed behind her like a loyal shadow. He was kind, clever in his own rough-edged way, and he adored her—utterly and silently. But his place was always at her side, never in her world.Zenobia, on the other hand, had never seen him as anything more than her closest companion. Her confidant. Her safe place in a world that often felt too heavy for someone so young. She cared for him, deeply. But not in the way he hoped and she never pretended otherwise.When she met Richard Beaufort, everything changed.She
Not having the heart to scold Elena Master Kai Von turned to Liam as he breathed him “You brat why did you not inform me as soon as my dear disciple woke up?” Liam blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in attention “She just woke up,” he defended, raising his hands slightly “I was going to tell you, but then… well, we were talking and—”“Talking?” Master Kai’s voice lifted incredulously as he stood and turned to fully face him, his eyes narrowing with something between suspicion and fatherly protectiveness “Talking about what, exactly?”Liam opened his mouth, then closed it, cheeks flushing a bit “Just… some important things.”Kai narrowed his eyes further, clearly not buying it “Did not you tell you had dossed of, that’s why it got so late for you to open the door just now?”Liam blinked wide eyed, caught up in his own lies not know
Her eyes shimmered as she looked up at him, one hand slowly lifting to rest over the one still cradling her cheek “You’re not angry?” she asked, her voice a fragile whisper.Liam shook his head slowly “No,” he said simply, his gaze steady “I was scared. Worried. But not angry” He hesitated, then added, “I don’t need to know everything right away, Elena. I just need to know you. And I do.”His words struck something deep inside her, a place that had always braced for rejection, for suspicion, for betrayal—never for acceptance. Never for this.Elena closed her eyes for a moment, breathing him in—the steadiness of him, the strength he gave her without asking anything in return. When she opened them again, her voice was steadier “I don’t deserve this,” she said quietly.Liam frowned, not harshly, but like he hated hearing her say it “Don’t do that,” he
Elena breathed, each shaky inhale slowly growing steadier as Liam held her. His hand moved gently up and down her back, slow and grounding, letting her feel the rhythm of life—the simple, steady beat of being here, being safe.When the worst of the tremors passed, Liam shifted slightly, glancing down at her “You should rest a little more," he said softly, brushing a few strands of hair from her damp forehead "I’ll call Master Kai Von, just to make sure you’re okay as you have been unconscious for three days now."But the moment he started to move, Elena's arms tightened around him in a panic, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt like a lifeline “No,” she whispered sharply, her voice trembling but sure “Don’t go. Please... stay.”Liam froze, feeling the raw desperation in her voice, in the way she clung to him like he was the only solid thing left in a crumbling world. His heart twisted painfully at the thought of leaving her, even for a second.He let out a quiet, resigned
"Over my dead body," Richard snarled.Ernest’s smile widened cruelly "That my plan exactly."At Ernest’s signal, the cloaked men surged forward like a black tide.Richard rose, one arm still around Zenobia, and drew his sword in one swift motion, the steel catching the faint light of the enchanted forest.They clashed with a deafening ring of steel.Richard fought like a man possessed, fuelled by love and rage, his blade a silver blur. He felled two of the men quickly, moving with deadly grace—but there were too many, and he was alone.A sword slashed across his side—he staggered but didn’t fall.Another cut along his arm—his grip tightened stubbornly around his sword. Blood darkened his tunic, dripping into the moss, but Richard fought on, each movement slower, heavier.He could feel his strength leaving him. Zenobia was still unconscious on the grass behind him, unaware of the battle raging
A soft golden mist swirled around Elena, wrapping her in warmth and a strange sense of peace. She wasn’t sure where she was—but everything around her felt too vivid, too alive to be anything but real.She stood at the edge of an enchanted forest, where the trees rose high into the sky, their branches weaved with sparkling silver vines and glowing flowers that pulsed gently like stars. The air shimmered with magic, and the ground beneath her bare feet was soft, like moss spun from dreams.Laughter echoed through the woods—bright, musical, carefree.Ahead, a girl darted between the trees, her hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of dark silk. She wore a flowing white dress that fluttered like butterfly wings as she ran.Elena blinked in shock.The girl... looked exactly like her, but not quite.There was something different. An old-world grace to her movements, a wild, ancient light in her eyes."Zenobia!" cam
"There is only one person who might hold the key to this tangled truth," he said. His gaze locked onto Alisha’s, unwavering one "Your father, Edward."Alisha stiffened, a sharp breath tearing from her lips "My father…" she whispered, her mind already spiralling "But... he's been in a coma ever since—since that day."Master Kai nodded solemnly "I know. Ever since the accident where you lost Aisha, Edward has been trapped between life and death. His mind remains sealed. Even I have tried everything know but nothing has been able to bring him back."Henry looked away, his face shadowed with guilt and sorrow. Alisha pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, her eyes shining with unshed tears."But if he were awake," Master Kai pressed on, "he could tell us what truly happened that day after they fell of the cliff, where did that bright light appeared from and why he did not use his power to fly back up. The only one who may have seen... what n