MasukKael’s POV---I didn’t know she was gone.Nobody told me.They remembered what happened the last time we talked.I found out she was gone anyway.It was not hard to figure out.One of the servants looked guilty.There were not as many guards as there should have been.Her room was empty.It was easy to tell what happened.I don’t have anything to fight for since Lyra left.I was standing in the war room, alone.The map was open on the table.It showed the borders, supply lines, guard shifts, and the terrain.This is all the information I should care about it.All I could see was the north, the wall and her.I remembered the way she put her hands on her stomach.It was a gesture.It was like she was claiming something, like she was saying it was hers.Not only hers, Mine too.I kept thinking about the sound of two heartbeats.It was like a drum that would not stop.It was cruel.Both heartbeats were strong and hersBut mine by blood.But that doesn’t mean anything now, not to her any
Serena’s POVI didn’t move. Not right away. Mist closed behind her. Smooth. _Rude_. Silver swallowing silver. Then, Nothing. No boots. No shadow. No “just kidding, let’s talk.” Just fog. Cold. Thick. And obedientTo her. Clearing went quiet. Not a normal quiet. Made quiet. The kind where your cloak rustling sounds loud. Like the place decided it didn’t like me. Hate it. Remember it. I breathed out. Slow. One. Two. Heart was fast. Annoying. But fair. She’s changed. Not her face. Not her title. Her That’s the problem. I ran it back in my head. Every word. Every pause. Every look. Every mistake. Mine most of all. ‘You’re pregnant’ Played on loop. Not because she guessed, because she saw.Hand to stomach. Protective. Reflex. And she got it. Right away. No “maybe.” No “hmm.” Just saw and knew.Or she’s just sharper now? Survival does that. Either wayProblem. My hand went to my stomach. Stopped halfway, I dropped it. Too late. Even alone.
Lyra’s POV The mist moved for me. It did not move at once or move dramatically. It just moved enough. It cut through the silver and pine. It was like the land was pulling a curtain back for me. Mine. The realization did something to my chest. Not fear, Not wonder, But ownership. I walked until I saw her. She was right where I thought she would be. In the middle of the clearing. Not hiding, not shaking, not faking bravery. Serena never fakes. She was wearing riding leathers. Her hair was pinned tight. Her hands were out where I could see them. She did not have a sword. That’s okay. Serena never needed a blade to kill you. For a second, we just looked at each other, measured and weighed each other. Serena was prettier than I remembered. She was not soft. She was not kind. She was just polished, like glass. There were no cracks. Her stance was perfect. Her breathing was perfect. She was the kind of woman people call steady. That is the mistake that gets you
Ares’ POVShe was really enjoying this.That should have worried me,It did not.I watched her buckle her gear strap. Her hands were steady. No hesitation. No second thoughts.Lyra used to survive by taking a lot of hits.Then she got smarter, found ways to avoid them.Now she sees it coming.Scary.But honestly, Its beautiful.She walked across the room. The mist followed her, not being pulled, but was with her.Like it was meant to move when she moved.She did not have to force it.It just knew what to do.Like the ground had picked only her.Darric was out in the hall giving orders.Most of them were not going to work.He was talking about fallback plans.Men do that when they are scared. They talk loudly to feel important.I almost liked him for it.“She shouldn’t go alone " He said.Lyra was already down the hall.She heard him. I got it.“She is not alone " I replied.Darric frowned.This is not about guards or numbers or who has the biggest sword.This is not even war anymore.
Lyra’s POVI woke up before sunrise.I wasn't scared.I wasn't jumpy.I was sure.My eyes were open. It was like someone had a knife to my throat.It wasn't cutting, It was there, I could feel it.The room was grey. That dead hour before light.Ares was up, he was looking at me before I looked at him.“You felt it.”It wasn't a question.I sat up slowly.“Yes.”There was no point in lying, It was too loud in my skin. It was too close.It felt like someone walked barefoot over a grave that had my name on it.The mist was moving, I wasn't scared, I wasn't mad.I was awake.It came under the window, slow ropes of it and wrapped around the bedposts. It pooled at the stone.It was watching.It was waiting.It was mine.I went to the window.The mist moved for me, It split like it knew not to touch me. Outside there was nothing.Dawn wasn’t even trying yet. The grounds were quiet, They were too quiet.It was like the whole place was holding its breath.“She came in the night " I said.Ares
Serena’s POV.The runner showed up before noon, on time. He was dirty, not the dirt that makes guards suspicious.The kind they ignore.Good.I prefer smart over loyal. Loyalty gets you killed.He came in without knocking. He had already been cleared. He had already been waiting.He knelt. Pulled out a leather packet from his coat.No words.No "look what I did”.Just the packet.Even better.I said, "Well?"He kept his eyes down. "The breach was clean.”It had better be.I held out my hand.He put the packet in it, carefully.No blood on it.No tears.It looked nice.I flicked my fingers.He was gone before the door finished closing.He didn’t wait to be thanked.There was silence.Finally.I went to the desk, slowly.The seal broke easily.There was paper.Thin.Old.It was kept well on a silver archive paper. It smelled like dust and rules.As expected.I laid it out.There were birth books.Family trees.Succession notes.Private codes for who gets what when someone dies.It was t







