Kai POV I stood on the balcony of my chamber, my eyes fixed on the distant horizon while my mind swirled in endless turmoil. No matter how many breaths I took, no matter how long I stared into the night sky, the heaviness in my chest wouldn’t ease. I gripped the railing harder until my knuckles turned pale. Lucian… my brother. My blood. I could feel it, the weakening of his life force, as though a string tied to him inside my soul was fraying thread by thread. The memories I had buried deep clawed their way to the surface, refusing to be silenced. It all began two years ago, though it felt like yesterday. Our fifth anniversary of becoming kings of Blackwood clan. The castle arena had been alive that day. Music, feasts, dancers swirling in their colourful robes, the smell of roasted meats filling the air. Chiefs, nobles, and councilmen from far and wide gathered, showering us with praise and wishes for long reigns. They laid down gifts at our feet, treasures of the
Mira POV I stood there, caught like a child with her hand in the honey jar. My mind scrambled for a believable excuse, but there was none. Kai’s stare pinned me to the spot, sharp and expectant. I swallowed, realizing there was no point in lying anymore. “I was going to the shrine,” I confessed, lifting my chin slightly, trying to salvage my dignity. “To meet with the Voices of the Moon goddess.” His eyes darkened instantly, his jaw tightening. I could feel the storm brewing in him, the way his chest heaved slightly as he fought to control his reaction. “To do what exactly, Mira?” His voice was sharp, but beneath it, there was something else — something like disappointment. “After everything I’ve told you? You still thought it wise to go behind my back?” I hated the way guilt twisted in my chest, but I held my ground. “I needed to understand,” I shot back, forcing my voice to remain steady. “I needed to understand what the moon goddess was trying to tell me. You mig
Rowan’s POV I started my morning like I did every other day, refusing to let the weight of everything happening around me crush my routine. I forced myself out of bed, dragging my body to the bath chamber. The cold water jolted me fully awake, as I scrubbed the restlessness from my skin. After drying off, I grabbed a few fruits from the silver tray on my table, chewing absently while staring at the wall, my mind lost in thoughts of Lucian. Lucian. Always Lucian. Damn it. I pushed the thoughts aside, at least for a moment, and stormed toward the training yard. I needed to burn off the suffocating weight sitting on my chest. I raced a few laps around the yard until my legs burned and my chest heaved, but even that wasn’t enough. Sweat dripped from my brow as I moved to lift the heavy stones lined up at the edge of the field. I hoisted them one after the other, the weight grounding me, keeping my mind from wandering to places I didn’t want it to go. Finally, I attac
Mira POV To me, the shrine looked less like a place of worship and more like a dark, towering fortress. Its extravagant height scraped the sky, and sharp spires clawed at the clouds like talons ready to tear them apart. The whole place gave off an ominous presence, not at all the peaceful, serene haven I had imagined. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I followed Rowan inside. The moment we stepped through the arching doorway, I felt eyes on me. Curious eyes, cautious eyes. Despite that, the people there greeted us with warmth, even reverence. The devotees dipped their heads respectfully, hands clasped together in front of them. It felt strange, to be welcomed so generously in a place Kai had always painted as dangerous. There were not many worshippers. Only a few knelt silently in prayer, their lips moving soundlessly as if afraid to break the brittle silence. Most of the others were disciples in simple robes, busy with tasks around the shrine, tending to the few
Mira POV I stared at the high priestess, her words circling in my head like a storm I could not quiet. Me? Chosen? The savior? It sounded absurd. Completely ridiculous. I shook my head, my lips parting to protest before I even thought of the words. “No,” I said firmly. “You must be mistaken. I’m not anyone’s champion. I never asked to be, and I don’t want to be.” The high priestess’s face was as calm as still water, her eyes filled with patience, as though she had heard my rejection long before I uttered it. “Do not fear the destiny that has been placed upon you, child,” she said, her voice gentle, but it only tightened the knot in my chest. I took a step back, my heart pounding. “No,” I repeated, shaking my head again. “You don’t understand. I didn’t ask for this. I don’t want this. I never wanted to be anyone’s savior. I have my own plans… my own goals.” The high priestess raised her hand, urging me to stay and listen. “Mira, remain calm,” she said softly, as thoug
Kai’s POV -Flashback- The smoke still lingered in my mind. The ashes of the past — they never truly leave you. I remembered standing in the ruins of the once-mighty throne room, my chest burning with a pain no healer could soothe. The grand hall where my father, King Alexander Blackwood, had sat so regally on his throne, was nothing but charred rubble. The stench of smoke and death clung to my skin like a second layer. I could still hear the crackling of the flames in my ears, even though they had long since died out. The humans… those cursed humans. They had infiltrated our castle, slipping through like rats in the dark, and they had taken everything from us. Our father… our king… the pillar of our family. They had torn him from us without mercy. I had loved him more than words could describe, respected him beyond measure. And they took him from me. From all of us. I stood there, trembling, fists clenched at my sides until my nails pierced my palms. I di
Mira POV I stood by the window, my eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding in the training yard below. From here, I could see everything — Kai and Rowan lunging at each other, fists flying, grunts echoing through the castle grounds. They fought like wild animals in human skin, no sign of mercy between them. I should have been horrified, but instead, my heart fluttered with an unexpected thrill. They were tearing into each other over me. Well, not only me — over pride, over old grudges, over Lucian, over their beliefs. But I was still part of it, tangled in the web they had spun with their own hands. I crossed my arms and leaned against the cool wall beside the window, watching closely as they fought in their human forms. Neither shifted into their beasts, not yet. There was still restraint, but I could see it fraying at the edges with every punch and shove. Their faces were twisted in rage, sweat already dripping down their temples, muscles tight and strained. Guards sto
Rowan’s POV I couldn’t stop clenching my fists as we returned to the meeting hall. The tension between us was unbearable, and if not for Damien trying to hold us together, I might have already lunged at Kai again. I could see it in Kai’s eyes too. He wasn’t any calmer than before. He looked like he was ready to explode, and I wasn’t sure I could blame him. As soon as we entered, Kai barked at the guards to leave us alone. They scattered instantly, not daring to linger under the weight of his furious glare. The doors slammed shut behind them, and it was just the three of us now, standing in the vast room, the air heavy with unspoken words. Kai’s chest heaved as he paced back and forth like a caged beast. His steps were loud against the stone floor, his shoulders tense, and his jaw clenched so tightly I wondered if his teeth would crack. His eyes flicked to me every few moments, burning with accusation. I stayed where I was, my arms crossed over my chest. I wasn’t
Kai POV The sky was still cloaked in darkness, though the faintest glow of dawn had begun to brush the horizon when our carriage rattled over the rocky terrain toward the Darkfire border. The journey had been long and heavy with silence at times, but inside the double space carriage, we found ourselves deep in conversation once again. The air was thick with anticipation.Rowan sat with his arms crossed, his gaze sharp and unwavering, while Damien leaned forward slightly, elbows on knees, brows drawn as he listened to me lay out the final version of our plan.“We go in under the guise of diplomacy,” I said, my voice calm, but firm. “We are visiting the King and the council to pay our respects. That’s the surface. But our real task—what we must accomplish before we leave—is to uncover the witches.”“Find Benard Sawyer,” Damien added, nodding. “And locate those woods—the site of the executions.”I nodded back. “Exactly. If the Last Witches truly died there, then the secrets of what
Mira POV The wind was soft, yet cold, brushing against my skin as I walked along the stone path leading to the shrine. The sun hung low in the sky, bleeding orange light over the trees that framed the sacred space. My steps were slow. Heavy. But steady.I had walked this path before.And yet, today felt different.The shrine loomed ahead, surrounded by people kneeling in prayer or whispering hushed words toward the sky. It was more crowded than usual, packed with villagers seeking comfort amidst the chaos that had overtaken our clan. Some clutched candles. Others held small, carved totems. Their eyes were glassy, tired. Lost.As soon as I was spotted, a small group broke off from the rest and hurried toward me.“My Queen,” one of them—a man no older than thirty—spoke first. “Please… what do we do now? The clan feels like it’s crumbling. We’ve heard whispers that the Kings have vanished.”“Are we at war again?” a woman asked, clutching her shawl tightly. “Is Blackwood falling a
Mira POV Pressure wrapped around me like a noose.It tightened more with every cry that echoed beyond the castle walls, the angry shouts of the clan members rising like a storm I couldn’t stop. My fingers trembled as I clasped them in my lap, seated on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the door as if someone—anyone—would walk through it and tell me what to do.But no one came.The throne was mine. The responsibility was mine. For the first time, I was alone to rule.My mates—my kings—were gone. Their decision had been final. They left the castle with nothing but purpose in their stride and the weight of a plan I had no part in. And now, the clan wanted answers. Clarity. Leadership.From me.A pit had formed in my stomach. It felt cold and heavy, like a stone I’d swallowed but couldn’t digest. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t wise like Kai or confident like Lucian. I wasn’t brave like Damien. I was just… Mira. A girl burdened by a legacy I didn’t ask for and secrets I wished I could
Mira POV I ran through the fields barefoot, the wind lashing my face. I was younger—perhaps thirteen—and the soft warmth of sunset bathed the skies above our small village.Laughter echoed behind me, the sound of teenagers playing a game I’d barely understood but tried to join. I had always watched them from the window of our cottage, envying their joy, their freedom. That day, for the first time, I had dared to approach.I remember how hesitant I was when I stepped into their circle. They looked at me, puzzled, surprised. I was the Chief’s daughter, the one who never spoke to anyone, the one who always looked distant. But they smiled, awkwardly at first, then welcomed me with timid warmth. I laughed—really laughed—for the first time in a long while as I tried to keep up with the game. It was clumsy and imperfect, but I had finally felt…human.Then he came.“Mira!” his deep, sharp voice split the air like a whip. Everyone turned.My heart dropped.My father stood at the edge of
Mira POV I stared at them, mouth slightly parted in disbelief. “You’re what?” I asked, even though I’d heard Kai’s words clearly the first time.“We’re going to the Darkfire clan,” Rowan said calmly, standing beside Kai with arms folded across his broad chest.My heart skipped. “Just like that? Without warning?”Kai’s voice was steady, resolute. “We’ve exhausted all our options, Mira. We’ve sent spies, scouts, even attempted magical tracking. Nothing’s led us to Baylor or any of the witches. It’s as though they’ve vanished from the realm.”“So, you’re going straight to the source?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Kai nodded. “Yes. To Benard Sawyer. He started this. Somehow, he brought them back from extinction. He knows something… and we intend to find out what.”“But why go yourselves?” I argued, stepping closer to them. “Why not send messengers? Or councilmen? Even your generals? You’re the rulers of this kingdom. Your lives aren’t just your own to gamble.”Rowan gave
Mira POV When I arrived at the shrine, I immediately knew something was different.The courtyard was crowded, more than I’d ever seen it. People were pouring in through the arched gates, their footsteps fast yet quiet, their heads bowed as though afraid to lift their eyes. Some clutched prayer beads, others held burning candles. A few sobbed quietly as they moved toward the inner sanctum.I stepped aside as a woman passed me, dragging two small children behind her. One of them looked up at me, his eyes swollen from crying. My heart twisted painfully.I made my way inside and found the head priestess, her wrinkled face lined even deeper than usual.“What’s going on?” I asked softly, trying not to let the heavy tension around us suffocate my voice.She turned to me with a tired expression. “The people are afraid,” she said, clasping her hands together. “Since the massacre… the castle guards, the bloodshed… word has spread.”I frowned. “Word?”The priestess nodded. “About the wit
Mira POV Two days later…I woke up before the sun had risen, the castle still blanketed in silence. For once, I didn’t wait for Adela or any of the handmaids to come in. I slipped out of bed, walked barefoot to the bath chamber, and poured myself a cold shower. The icy water hit my skin like a slap, but I welcomed it. I needed the numbness. My mind had been anything but still for the past two days.I couldn’t stop thinking about the massacre—the way the blood had soaked into the stone floors, the way the guards’ lifeless bodies had been carried away one by one. And the families… Gods, the families. They had gathered outside the castle gates yesterday, their wails cutting through the air like blades. Some had thrown stones, others had just fallen to their knees, begging for answers. Begging for justice.I stayed in the shower longer than necessary, hoping the water would wash away the unease churning inside me. It didn’t. When I stepped out, I dried myself quickly and dressed
Mira POVI sat quietly in the carriage beside Damien, the steady rhythm of the wheels rolling over the rugged trail doing little to ease the storm brewing inside me. The sun was still rising in the sky, casting golden beams through the trees, but my heart felt too heavy to appreciate any of it. We were heading to the place where Benard Sawyer was meant to be executed years ago. Damien sat across from me, flipping through an old parchment from the archives, but I knew we were both thinking about more than just the past.The silence stretched between us until I finally broke it.“How’s Lucian doing?” I asked, not looking at him. I didn’t know why I needed to know so badly. Maybe because the thought of losing him clawed painfully at the inside of my chest.Damien looked up at me, his expression shifting to something solemn. “He’s hanging on,” he said softly.“But not for long. The disciple told me the only thing that could really save him is complete faith—from the three of us.”I
Kai POVThe air was tense as we stormed toward Councilman Baylor’s chambers. I walked beside Rowan with six guards behind us, all alert and on edge. Damien and Mira had taken off earlier to the execution site where Benard Sawyer was once meant to die. I hoped they’d find something useful. But right now, our focus was Councilman Baylor.Rowan kept glancing at me as we moved through the corridor. “What if he’s already done it?” he asked, low but urgent. “What if he’s already summoned them?”I didn’t need to ask who he meant. “Then we’ll be too late,” I said. “But we can’t think like that. We have to act before they arrive.”Rowan didn’t speak again, but his jaw tightened. He knew as well as I did that there was no defense against witches—not unless we were prepared. And we weren’t. Not yet.When we arrived at Baylor’s chambers, they were eerily quiet. The guards took position at the doors while Rowan and I pushed inside. The room was dim, the curtains drawn, the fire out. It felt li