Chapter 42: The Prison of the King

The words echoed through the valley.

“He is coming for him tonight.”

Lyra didn’t hesitate.

“Take me to my father.”

The old royal guard bowed.

“At once, Your Majesty.”

Karl stepped beside her.

“We’re coming with you.”

Lyra looked around.

“Everyone.”

Lucien nodded.

“We stay together.”

Caelan exchanged a glance with Adrian.

For the first time, the two brothers seemed to understand each other without speaking.

The journey began immediately.

The Northern Wall stood beyond a frozen mountain pass.

As they approached, Lyra saw enormous stone towers rising from the snow.

The ancient Lunaris symbol was carved into every gate.

“This place hasn’t been opened since the fall.”

The old guard shook his head.

“It opens tonight.”

He placed his hand against the gate.

Silver light spread across the stone.

The massive doors slowly opened.

Lyra stepped inside.

Her heart pounded.

Somewhere beyond these walls was the father she had believed was gone for twenty-one years.

They traveled through a long underground passage.

Finally, they reached a circular chamber.

At its center stood a single stone cell.

A man sat inside.

His hair was streaked with silver.

His clothes were worn.

But even after all those years, Lyra recognized him.

The same eyes.

The same face from the portraits.

Her father.

King Alaric.

Lyra stopped breathing.

“Dad…”

The man slowly lifted his head.

His eyes widened.

For a moment, neither moved.

Then he whispered:

“Lyra?”

Tears filled her eyes.

She rushed toward the cell.

Alaric stood.

He placed his hands against the bars.

“My little moon.”

Lyra covered her mouth.

“You really are alive.”

Alaric smiled through tears.

“I never stopped waiting for you.”

Karl, Lucien, and the others remained respectfully behind them.

Lyra reached through the bars.

Her father held her hand.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For every birthday I missed.”

“For every night you wondered where I was.”

Lyra shook her head.

“I thought you were dead.”

“I know.”

“Why didn’t you come for me?”

Alaric’s expression became painful.

“Because I couldn’t.”

He looked toward Adrian.

“Your uncle kept you hidden.”

Lyra turned.

“Adrian?”

Adrian nodded.

“Your father ordered me to protect you.”

Lyra looked back at Alaric.

“Then who imprisoned you?”

Alaric’s expression changed.

“The person who started all of this.”

“Who?”

Before he could answer—

A massive explosion shook the fortress.

The lights went out.

Everyone reached for their weapons.

Lucien shouted:

“They’re here!”

Alaric’s face became serious.

“How much time?”

The old guard looked toward the entrance.

“Very little.”

Another explosion echoed through the fortress.

Then a familiar voice came through the tunnels.

“King Alaric.”

Lyra froze.

The voice belonged to the Shadow King.

Adrian stepped forward.

“He’s here.”

Alaric looked at Lyra.

“You must leave.”

“No.”

“Lyra, listen to me.”

“No!”

She gripped the bars.

“I spent my whole life believing I had lost you.”

Her voice shook.

“I’m not leaving you again.”

Alaric smiled sadly.

“That’s exactly what I was afraid of.”

The cell suddenly began glowing.

A hidden mechanism activated beneath the floor.

The bars disappeared.

Alaric stepped outside.

But instead of running, he looked toward Lyra.

“The time has come.”

“For what?”

“For you to know the final truth.”

The doors at the end of the corridor exploded inward.

Black smoke filled the passage.

The Shadow King entered.

Adrian immediately stepped forward.

“Adrian.”

The Shadow King looked at his brother.

“Move.”

Adrian refused.

Then the Shadow King looked beyond him.

His eyes landed on Alaric.

For the first time, his expression changed.

Hatred.

Pain.

And something that looked almost like regret.

“Brother.”

Alaric stared back.

“Adrian.”

Lyra looked between them.

“You know each other.”

Alaric’s voice was quiet.

“We’re brothers.”

Adrian lowered his head.

“Not anymore.”

Alaric stepped forward.

“You’ve been lied to.”

Adrian looked up.

“By whom?”

Alaric’s eyes shifted toward the darkness behind the Shadow King.

“By the person standing behind you.”

Everyone froze.

The Shadow King slowly turned.

But nobody was there.

Then a woman’s voice whispered from the darkness.

“Finally.”

Lyra’s blood ran cold.

She knew that voice.

It was Selena.

And she stepped out of the shadows wearing the crown of Lunaris.