LOGINNARRATOR Kade kept a steady arm around Elara’s waist as they made their way slowly out of the training courtyard, his steps careful to match her weakened pace. The royal guards arrived shortly after, moving with quiet efficiency as they began the grim task of cleaning the area. They gathered the fallen bodies with respect, removing every trace of the black residue that still lingered on the stone like a dark stain. Kade helped Elara all the way to her chambers in the tower, supporting her gently until she could sit down on the edge of her bed. She looked tired but determined, her breathing still a little labored from the shadow strike she had taken to the chest.“You should rest now,” Kade said quietly, his voice steady and concerned. “I will tell the others everything that happened. We will find Seraph. You have done enough for today.”Elara managed a small smile as she leaned back against the pillows. “I will be fine, King Kade. The wound is not as bad as it looks. But you must wa
CHAPTER 159Dante and Rowan walked out of the training courtyard together, Dante’s arm wrapped protectively around Rowan’s shoulders as they headed back toward the palace. The sun was beginning to set, casting long golden shadows across the stone paths. Rowan leaned into Dante’s side, still feeling the warmth of the training session and the gentle pride in Dante’s voice as he spoke about how much Rowan had improved.As they disappeared around the corner, a dark shape materialized in the center of the empty courtyard. It twisted and reformed, shadows swirling until it took Rowan’s exact form, his face, his clothes, his posture. The fake Rowan smiled coldly, eyes glowing with unnatural hunger. He raised his hands, and corrupted golden light flickered around his palms, mixed with black veins of shadow.The creature called out in Rowan’s voice, waving toward the guards stationed at the edge of the courtyard. “Come here. I need your help with something. Come closer.”The guards hesitated f
CHAPTER 158ROWANI was alone in the training courtyard that afternoon, the sun warm on my skin as I practiced by myself. Elara had given me permission to train without supervision today, saying I needed to learn to trust my own control. The kings were busy with palace matters, so I had the space to myself. I stood in the center of the stone area, focusing on my breathing and trying to summon the golden light steadily.I raised my hands and concentrated. The light appeared in my palms, brighter and more powerful than it had been even a few days ago. It felt alive, pulsing with energy that made my whole body hum. I pushed it outward, forming a large shield around me. The golden dome expanded beautifully, covering a wide area and shimmering with strength.I smiled a little, feeling proud. “I did it. It stayed steady this time.”I tried to make it even bigger, stretching the shield across the entire courtyard. The light grew stronger, the dome glowing with intense golden radiance. It fel
CHAPTER 157Elara moved quickly through the palace corridors after receiving the urgent message from the kings. Her robes flowed behind her as she hurried toward the secure room where Varynia was being held. The weight of the situation pressed on her shoulders, but she kept her steps steady and determined. When she arrived, the kings were already there, standing protectively around the room with worried expressions on their faces.Dante turned to her immediately. “Elara, thank you for coming so quickly. Varynia is getting worse. Seraph’s influence is growing stronger inside her. We need your help to contain it.”Elara nodded and stepped into the room. Varynia was lying on the bed, restrained with soft but firm bonds. Alastair sat beside her, holding her hand tightly, his face filled with love and fear.“Alastair,” Elara said gently. “I will do what I can. Stay close to her. Your presence helps anchor her.”Alastair looked up at her with desperate eyes. “Please help her. She is fightin
CHAPTER 156NARRATOR Varynia sat across from Alastair in the quiet sitting room they often used for private moments. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the comfortable furniture and the tea set between them. Alastair was smiling as he poured her a fresh cup, his voice light and teasing the way it always was when he wanted to make her laugh.“You have been working too hard lately,” he said, handing her the cup with a gentle expression. “I keep telling you to slow down, but you never listen. Remember when we snuck out to the rose garden last week? You laughed so hard you almost fell into the fountain. I still think about that smile every day.”Varynia took the cup with a small smile, but her fingers trembled slightly around the handle. “I remember. It was nice. You always make me laugh, Alastair. Even when things feel heavy. I do not know what I would do without you.”Alastair leaned forward, his eyes soft with affection. “You will never have to find out.
CHAPTER 155ROWANI was standing in the middle of an ancient temple made of white marble and gold, the kind of place that felt older than time itself. The ground beneath my feet shook violently as massive pillars cracked and began to collapse, sending clouds of dust and broken stone into the air. Gods with glowing eyes and crowns of starlight were kneeling before me in rows, their faces filled with fear and reverence. I looked down at my own hands and saw that I was glowing, radiant and powerful, golden light pouring from my skin like the sun itself had taken residence inside me. The woman with silver hair from my previous dreams appeared again, reaching out with trembling hands.“Chosen One,” she whispered, her voice echoing through the crumbling temple. “The light has fully awakened. The shadow is coming faster than we feared. You must choose soon. Protect them with everything you have, or the world will fall into eternal darkness.”I tried to speak, to ask her what I was supposed t
CHAPTER 14ROWANMara knocked softly on my door that afternoon. Her face looked pale, but her eyes held a brightness I hadn’t seen in weeks. She slipped inside and closed the door quietly behind her. Then she stood there for a moment, twisting her hands together as if she wasn’t sure how to start.
CHAPTER 9DANTEThe corridor outside the medical wing felt colder than usual, the marble floors echoing our footsteps as we left Uncle Percival to his examination. My mind, however, burned.Rowan Hale. Bandages wrapped tight around his lean torso, the hospital gown slipping just enough to reveal sm
ROWANThe threat hit like ice water. I glanced at Lila, sleeping peacefully on the bed, her tiny hand curled in the sheets. My stomach twisted.“You wouldn’t,” I whispered, but it came out weak.He didn’t answer. Just held my gaze, letting the silence crush me.“The healers will come to check on yo
CHAPTER 8ROWANBeep! Beep! Beep!The sound drilled into my skull, steady and annoying, pulling me up from the black like a hook through water. My eyelids felt heavy, glued shut, but I forced them open. White lights blurred overhead. Antiseptic smell burned my nose. Hospital bed. Monitors. Tubes in







