All Chapters of The Princess in the Shadows: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

ElysiaEvery witch, no matter their origin, carries the marks of their craft; glowing eyes, hair flowing like a waterfall, and porcelain skin. Deep in Mount Everstrike’s belly, the Matriarchs of all Covenkind circled the cavern’s hollow. The pure power that flowed through them intensified these witches’ magical features. Their eyes lit the darkness, dispelling the need for torches.A single woman stood in the center. Her ebony hair hung around her heart shaped face, obscuring her ocean blue eyes. Her shoulders slumped as she stared at the ground. Elysia stood on trial and she knew there was only one way it could end.Sabel waved her hand dismissively. "Seriously?" she scoffed. "You expect me to see our beloved sister—" Pointing at Elysia, her voice rose in disbelief. "—as a villain?" Indistinct voices murmured among the women as they scrutinized her with a variety of expressions ranging from pity to accusation. Elysia fought the urge to call out to them for compassion. She could beg

LyraAt the front of the square, Lyra watched her father, Alpha Aldric, as he spoke to his advisors. They were preparing the run that would happen after her first shift. Everyone would head into the woods as their primal instincts flowed through their veins, free as only a wild wolf could be.When their eyes met, Alpha Aldric’s expression was distant, as if she were just another face in the crowd.“Father… I need to talk to you.” She called.“Not right now, Lyra…” He turned away as someone offered him a paper that he reviewed as he continued speaking. “Your wolf... will be here soon. I know... you must be eager for that moment.”The words rushed out. “But Father—Seraphina said—”He cut her off without a glance. "Don’t let your sister bother you. She’s just teasing. And I’ve got enough to worry about. Besides, your mother said it’s lighthearted."She hated how small and invisible she felt. But what could she do? She reached out, just shy of touching his shoulder, trembling. Even the c

LyraWhen the last of the wolves had disappeared into the woods, Lyra staggered to her room. Wrapping her arms around herself, she cried wracked with sorrow until dawn broke. It was clear, the wolf would never come. Eventually, she fell asleep.Under the rising sun’s orange glow, the pack returned from the hunt in spurts.Lyra’s bedroom door creaked open. Seraphina stepped into the room. Lyra groggily pushed herself up on weak arms. When Seraphina saw she had not shifted, a cruel smile spread across her face and she dashed out of the room. Panic surged through Lyra. She had to stop her sister. Couldn’t let their mother find out.‘"Seraphina!" Lyra's voice cracked as she raced after her. "Don't tell her," she pleaded.Seraphina stuck her tongue out as Lyra reached for her arm. But before she could grab her, Seraphina burst away. Lyra stumbled.Just as Seraphina stepped outside, she turned and shouted, "Lyra never changed!" She threw herself into Selene’s waiting arms, standing in th

LyraThe ground fractured. Dark clouds spiraled in a vicious storm. Buildings cracked and crumbled beneath the force of the wind, stones tumbling into the abyss. The scent of smoke and ash smothered everything except the howls of the wind. The world was splintering.Through the chaos, she saw a man. A tall pillar of strength amidst the collapse. His arms raised, body straining. He held the line between destruction and salvation. Their eyes met. Quiet desperation marked his features, restraining something far darker than the storm. A tense understanding neither fully grasped passed between them.Lyra’s heart beat a fierce staccato. Darkness grew, engulfing the realm, and sweeping away her father, stepsister, and stepmother. Silence swallowed Lyra’s screams.The storm’s center drew her forward. Despite the blinding glow, she couldn't look away. In the chaos’s nexus, a woman stood, obscured by the brilliance that radiated from her. But her power was undeniable. The Moon Goddess…As the

LyraIn the morning, Lyra and Kyline left on horseback. The greenwood Lyra had known her entire life gave way to deep, fertile topsoil. Trees thinned until they were little more than scattered clusters on the horizon. Tall, golden grass swayed in the ever constant wind, stretching endlessly before her, the horizon broken only by distant hills. Seeing Lyra shiver, Kyline handed her her cloak.The magic in the air shifted as they crossed the boundary into another alpha’s territory, forsaking the familiar hum of home. It felt like an unseen predator watching, warning her she was unwelcome.Kyline and Lyra exchanged only a few words throughout the day, small comforts about shared loss and reassurances that Lyra wasn’t alone. Lyra clung onto her Aunt’s kindness, but it couldn’t drown out her thoughts or Aunt Maris’s final words, tangling with her dream.Kyline wouldn’t answer her questions about the plan. “Not yet,” her aunt assured her every time. “There’s no use worrying until it’s time.