CHAPTER 21Raphael's P.O.VI clenched my fists by my side as I turned my back on them. I could feel their eyes on me but most importantly I could feel hers. She had just spoken back. Her voice shook but she said something back at me. I didn't know if to be glad or sad. Glad that she was finally talking without looking down at her dress or playing with her fingers but sad that I had to break her to get her like this. I closed eyes briefly as I remembered the look on her face and the bruises on her skin. I stopped in my tracks and turned around. I couldn't let her go through another round without rest. She might not survive it.“Darius,” I said as I took long steps across the arena.“Yes, your highness?” He turned to me with a brow raised. “You’re back,” His tone gave way to the fact that he had an idea why I was back. “Yes,” I looked at them and our eyes met again. She looked away but this time it wasn't in fear or shame. It was something else lighting up those orbs. Anger. “Can I
LYRA’S POV I felt my chest tighten as I said those words. He looked at me and I shivered. “Do you mean that?” He was almost daring me to agree. I could barely hold back the flood of emotions as I stood in front of him, my body shaking uncontrollably. The tears that had been threatening to spill over finally broke free, rolling down my cheeks in heavy streams. My chest tightened with guilt, and before I could stop myself, the words poured out. “I could have saved her,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Is that what this is about?” I nodded. “I could have stopped it. I watched her die, and I didn’t do anything.” Raphael’s cold gaze remained fixed on me. He was intimidating, but I couldn’t stop now. The guilt was eating me alive. “She didn’t have to die!” I sobbed. “That beast, it... it came out of nowhere. I could’ve... I could’ve pulled her away, I—” “You couldn’t have saved her, Lyra,” Raphael cut in, his voice low and devoid of emotion. I shook my head, backing
CHAPTER 23 Raphael “Could you please give us a moment?” Keisha probed and Lyra looked up at her. There was a look on her face like she had just seen a ghost. “Sure,” I adjusted my shirt and made to step out. Lyra looked at me and for a second, I imagined her begging me to stay. I shook my head. It was all in my head. I walked out and shut the door behind me. I saw Darius standing by the hallway when I got out. “What are you doing here?” I squinted my eyes. “Nothing,” he shrugged. “I forgot I no longer freedom of movement, your highness,” He said with a mock bow. I rolled my eyes and scoffed. “What are you doing here?” I folded my arms. “In my palace?” He chuckled and looked over my shoulders. “I don't see her around.” “What are you talking about?” “Your pet. The little thing you don't want to let out of your sight.” I reached for Darius and caught him by his shirt. “You would not speak about her like that. Is that clear?” He freed himself from my grip. “Relax,
Lyra’s POV“I prepared a herb bath. It would soothe you and cater to your wounds,” He said as he walked back into the room. I wanted to tell him I was grateful, but even the thought of saying a word was painful, so I nodded. My body burned all over and my neck was sore from Keisha's hard grip. He walked towards me and pulled me to my feet. I winced and he eased his grip. My legs felt wobbly beneath me and every part of my body hurt. I exhaled and regretted it almost immediately. My ribs felt brittle and my breath was hot against the top of my lips. We walked into the bathroom and a pungent smell hit me. It was oddly familiar but my insides turned at the smell. I felt a bitter taste rise to my throat. I pressed my lips together, hoping to hold it in but I couldn't. The smell washed over me in waves, and the next thing, I was on my knees, throwing up in the toilet bowl. He held my hair back as I emptied my insides. The intensity of each retch made me feel I was going to die. My body
CHAPTER 25.Raphael “What did Edmund do to you?” I asked again and her eyes grew wide. Her lips quivered and her breath quickened. “You can speak to me,” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “You’re not going to tell me?” “There is nothing to tell.” “Lyra….”“I promise,” She cut me short. “He didn't do anything.” I let go of her hand, and she looked at me. “You are hiding something from me and you don't want me to find out myself. Trust me.” She swallowed and played with the cloth over her. Her fingers were trembling. “Your Highness, I promise you there is nothing.” “Would you swear by the moon goddess?”She chewed on the insides of her mouth. “No,” She looked away. “We swear by the moon goddess at critical times.” “This is a critical time.” She looked up at me, a counterresponse ready to leap out of her mouth. “I say so, Lyra.” She exhaled and looked down at her hands. I got off the bed and paced the room. Edmund had done something to her, and she was protecting him from
CHAPTER 26LyraThe feel of his hand running up my legs made me freeze. My emotions were conflicting. I loved how he touched me. Gentle yet demanding but who did I think I was. What made me think I could get in this position with him.I wasn't his Luna. The games had only begun and I could be dead by the next round. I exhaled. “I wouldn't go that far again,” I looked at him. “Eat.” I raised the bread from the tray to my lips but I found it hard to eat. Not with him watching me like that. I dropped it and picked up the bowl of soup. I looked down at it before taking a sip. It burned a path down my throat.“Do you like it?” I was suddenly too tongue-tied to speak so I nodded. The windows were open but the room suddenly felt too hot. It seemed like oxygen had been sucked out and the only thing left to breathe was his cologne. I hated that I responded to his touch. I loved how his hands squeezed on my foot and wandered around my ankles. He pressed a part beneath my foot and I groaned.
CHAPTER 27RAPHAEL I watched as Edmund hugged her. It wasn’t right. There was something off about it—how she tensed in his arms, the way her shoulders stiffened as if she were bracing herself. Why was he hugging her in the first place? Jealousy stirred within me, but I quickly pushed it aside. Why should I care? It wasn’t my place to feel anything. Still, I couldn't ignore the way she stood there, frozen.As soon as Edmund's car disappeared down the path, she walked back towards me. Her steps were quick, and her eyes avoided mine."What was that?" I asked, keeping my voice low. She blinked, then looked up at me. "What was what?""That hug," I said plainly. "You froze."She shifted on her feet. "It was just a hug. Nothing happened."I stared at her. "You're lying."Her mouth opened slightly, but then she closed it again. She glanced away, her hands fidgeting nervously. "I'm not lying. It's just how Edmund is. He always—"I cut her off. "Don't make excuses. I know when someone’s hidi
CHAPTER 28LYRAI hesitated, my heart racing as I considered Raphael’s offer. “Let’s go back to my room,” he said, his voice firm.“I’m not going back to your room,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “I want to return to the dorm where the other princesses stay.” His eyes narrowed, and I could see the tension in his jaw. “No. You’re staying with me.” His tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument. “I don’t want you in that dorm for now. You’ll be with me.”I felt a flutter of panic. “No, I really want to stay with the others,” I insisted, my voice barely a whisper. “Besides... They'll think you’re giving me special treatment, and I don’t want that.” “Let them think whatever they want. That’s none of your business. And it’s certainly none of mine,” he shot back coldly.“But—” I began, but I could see he wasn’t interested in my reasoning.“I want you in my room.” His voice turned commanding, making it clear that he was not in the mood for negotiations.I looked away, sudden
CHAPTER 66RAPHAEL I focused on the stack of documents before me, trying to sort through the mess of security updates and ongoing investigations. Darius sat across from me, flipping through his own papers, a frown etched on his face.“Still no leads on the user of Essian's dust,” he said, frustration lacing his voice.I nodded, pinching the bridge of my nose. “We need to find out who’s behind this before it escalates further. If they’re using it against us, we can’t afford to sit idle.”Just then, Kane walked in, his expression serious. “Your Majesty, I came as soon as I could.”I looked up from my documents, ready to respond to Kane’s input when the door swung open abruptly. I froze, my eyes narrowing as Madriel walked in without so much as a knock. “What are you doing here, Madriel?”She leaned against the doorframe, feigning innocence. “Oh, can’t I come to visit my lovely baby brother?” The mockery dripped from her words.“You have no right to visit me,” I snapped, my voice icy. “
CHAPTER 65LYRA.After returning from Raphael's office, I lied down on my bed smiling.“Lyra!” Esmeralda burst into the room, her eyes bright with joy. “ I’m officially Darius’s mate now!”“I’m so happy for you!” I said, unable to hide my smile. She clapped her hands, a giddy laugh escaping her lips. “I know! It all feels so perfect. I can’t believe I’m finally free from the stupid Lunar games!”“I’m moving to Darius’s room.”“That’s amazing, Esmeralda! You deserve this,” I said. “Are you excited?”“Terrified,” she admitted, biting her lip. “But mostly excited! It’s just… everything feels different now.”I watched her. “You’re elevating your status now. You’ll be treated like a queen.”“Exactly!” She giggled, her cheeks flushed. “And I want to make sure you’re comfortable, too. You’re still my best friend, and I need you by my side.”“Of course,” I replied. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”The next few days flew by. On the eve of the day of the 4th phase, Esmeralda knocked on my d
CHAPTER 64RAPHAEL I was buried in documents concerning pack security, trying to keep my mind focused on the endless details, when Darius strolled into my office, a broad smile stretching across his face.“What happened to you? Why are you smiling?” I asked, my eyebrows lifting in curiosity.“Nothing, just had a great training session,” he replied, his grin infectious.But then, just like that, his smile vanished, replaced by an unreadable expression. “What’s wrong?” I pressed, leaning back in my chair.Darius hesitated, glancing down at the floor. “Uh, nothing. Really. Just...”“Who pissed in your pants now?” I teased, unable to help myself.He glared at me and I shrugged.I sighed, crossing my arms. “Darius, is there something you want to tell me? You’ve been holding it back for too long. Just spit it out.”He fidgeted, his eyes darting around the room. “It’s just... well, one of the contestants is my mate.”My heart sank, shock coursing through me. “Wait, what? Your mate?”Darius
CHAPTER 63LYRAI trudged through the twisted trees, feeling something dark and suffocating all around me. My breaths were shaky, shallow. Shadows flickered in every corner, moving, watching. I muttered to myself, “Come on, Lyra. One step at a time. Just… keep moving.”Then I saw it—a creature. Its eyes glowed with hatred, fangs dripping with some dark, strange essence. I couldn’t move, my heart pounding like it might break free from my chest. The beast lunged. I managed to dodge, barely, feeling the air crackle around its attack. Every hit it made, every slash it aimed at me, felt like it reached past my skin, sinking deep into me. Each blow burned, not just my body, but… something else, something I couldn’t even name. It felt like it was tearing me apart from the inside out.I stumbled, the pain twisting and contorting through me. “I… I can’t…” I gasped, but I had no choice.Then, I felt the last hit, and I fell. Everything went dark.When I opened my eyes, blue smoke swirled aroun
CHAPTER 62LYRAThe next morning, my maid helped me into a simple black dress. I felt drained, but I wore it for Zara. Esmeralda, too, appeared in black, her face pale. We didn’t speak; Darius arrived, his face impassive. He looked over the three of us—Althea, Esmeralda, and me—before nodding. "Follow me. We’re moving forward."Esmeralda’s jaw tightened, and Althea gave a weird look, her lips pressed into a thin line. I felt the ache in my chest but followed Darius.We walked outside, led by our maids, and stepped into what felt like another world. Darius stopped, and his voice echoed over the quiet. "This is the next challenge. It’s called ‘The Volcanic Gauntlet.’ You’ll need every ounce of strength and endurance to survive it."I looked ahead. The ground was coated in volcanic ash, each step already sticking to our shoes. Hot winds blew against my face, and I tasted smoke in the air. Rivers of lava twisted around the landscape, glowing, hissing.I could hear Althea breathing sharpl
CHAPTER 61RAPHAEL I sat in my office and my eyes drifted to the door, waiting for Darius to bring me the latest news. The clock on the wall ticked away, and finally, the door opened, Darius stepping in with a grim expression. I raised an eyebrow.“Darius,” I greeted him. “How did it go?”Darius didn’t return the smile. He simply stood there, expression stiff. “Two contestants didn’t make it.”The smirk faded from my face, replaced by a cold expression. “Who?”“Mirena and Zara.”For a moment, I stayed silent, processing the names. Zara… I knew she’d been close to Lyra. She had even come to me once, pleading on Lyra’s behalf.“And Lyra?” I asked, my voice quieter. “How is she?”Darius hesitated, looking down. “She went straight to her room. I think she’s taking it harder than anyone else… along with Esmeralda. Those three were close.”I nodded slowly. “I see.”Darius shifted, as if uncomfortable under my gaze. He looked unusually tense, his hands clenched at his sides. I studied him,
CHAPTER 60LYRA“No… no, she can’t be…” I whispered, collapsing against him as he held me back. I felt my knees give out, and all I could do was clutch his arm. “This can’t be happening… not Zara…”Esmeralda still hadn’t moved. Her face was blank, eyes hollow as she kept staring at the flames, as if expecting Zara to walk back out any moment. “She… she was just… she was just there…” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.I looked at her, tears blurring my vision. “Esmeralda… I… I couldn’t do anything…” My voice broke, my chest feeling like it was being crushed. “I should have done something… anything…”Esmeralda’s lip quivered, her face still pale as she murmured, “Zara… she was… this can’t be real…”Darius released his grip on me slowly, making sure I wouldn’t lunge forward again. “Neither of you can afford to lose yourselves here,” he said firmly. “If you go in like this, it’ll be over for both of you.”I tried to breathe.“She knew the risks, Lyra,” Darius said again. Dar
LYRA As we reached the chamber, Darius stopped and looked over us, his face as hard as the stone walls around us. The heat was already thick, making it hard to breathe, and the flicker of flames cast strange shadows across his face. “Listen up,” he said, his voice flat and emotionless. “You’re about to face the Flame Wall. This fire isn’t ordinary. It’s meant to burn more than just your skin.” Zara shifted uncomfortably beside me, and I glanced at her. “What do you mean, more than our skin?” I asked, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “The flames here don’t just burn,” Darius replied, his gaze cold as ice. “They reach inside you—attack your fears, your weaknesses. They’ll find what haunts you and use it to break you down.” I swallowed hard. There was no reassurance in his words, no attempt to ease our nerves. It was like he didn’t care what happened to us. I glanced at Esmeralda, who was pale but steady. Darius’s eyes lingered on her for a moment, softer than his tone. H
CHAPTER 58LYRA A soft knock on my door woke me up, and I blinked, groggy and confused. A maid stood there, waiting. I guess they’re waking everyone up like this, I thought, rubbing my eyes.I stretched and made my way to the dining room, feeling half-asleep. When I walked in, Esmeralda, Zara, and the others were already there, but they looked tired. Everyone’s eyes were barely open, and the maids stood silently behind us, watching over like guards.I yawned, covering my mouth as I looked around. “Morning, everyone,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. Not a single response. No one even bothered to look up; they were too busy fighting sleep.Esmeralda gave a half-hearted wave, her head resting on her hand. “Is it really morning?” she mumbled, eyes half-closed.Zara leaned forward, groaning. “Feels like they dragged us out of bed for no reason. I could still be sleeping.”I nodded, glancing around at the maids. “Yeah, they really wanted us up early… for what, though?”No one answ