INICIAR SESIÓNSERENAI did not breathe until the doors closed behind me.This was not because I was scared.I was just really angry.When you are really angry, you feel small and tight like you are going to burst.You feel human. I did not want to feel human right now.Not after what happened with Kael.I locked the door so hard that the metal hurt my palm.This was the thing to do, but it was also kind of useful.I needed something to block out the humiliation I just felt.Kael sent me away. He did not just threaten to do it.He actually did it. He did it in a really calm way.This is what really got to me.I do not like it when people are calm and collected because it makes me feel like I am not in control.What I saw in Kael's eyes was not anger; it was clarity.It was like he had finally figured something out. It was cold and sharp.It was like a knife that had been hidden. Now it was pointed right at me.I walked across the room fast, my boots hitting the marble floor too hard.My hands were s
KAELI found Serena before the sun came up.I was not looking for her. I guess the universe wanted me to find her quickly.Serena was standing alone in the corridor looking at something in her hands.It was a letter of course.We always seem to find letters and secrets people have written on pieces of paper, trying to make the lies seem hurtful.She looked up when she heard my boots coming.For a moment, I saw her trying to figure out what my face was telling her.She knew this was not going to be a nice conversation.It was nice to see her worried for a change."Kael " she said. She did not smile.That was interesting.Maybe she was finally learning that she could not just smile and make everything okay.I stopped a foot away from her.I did not want to get close.I did not want to touch her.There was a time when I did not mind being near her. That was a big mistake."How long?" I asked her directly.I did not want to play games or waste time."How long have you been working with th
LYRAFor one second I forgot how to breathe.Air stopped moving in my throat.The ruined garden around me blurred into silver mist, curling around broken marble.It was as if even the garden did not know how to react to this situation.My mother stood in front of me. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that's she’s here. Alive.She was not a memory or a ghost.She was real. That was a lot to take in.My mother was older than I remembered her with lines on her face.Time had changed her. She seemed quieter and harder.She was still my mother and that was what mattered.Ares' sword was still pointed at her throat, which was comforting in a way.I was considering taking the sword from him which was not an idea."Say that again " I said, trying to sound calm.My voice sounded wrong though. It was thin and not like mine.My mother looked at me steadily. Said, "Your father is alive."There was no hesitation in her voice, which made it worse.I laughed, it was not a happy sound.It wa
LYRAThe war room was really quiet. I mean I thought it would be noisy. It was not. It was like everyone in the room was waiting for me to say something. They were all focused on what I would doThere were maps over the table. They showed where the borders were, where our supplies were coming from and where the tunnels were. It was like I could see the thing like I could control it all. The Stormclaw territory was right in front of me. I felt like I could just tear it apart if I wanted to.Ares was standing next to me watching the room. He did that a lot lately like he was waiting for something to happen. It was of annoying but it was also nice to know that he was looking out for me.Then Darric came in. He was walking fast like he had something to say. He stopped at the table. Put a letter in front of me. It was sealed,. There was no mark on it no wax crest or anything. That was weird."Where did this come from?" I asked him."It was found in your chambers " he said.The room got rea
KAELI was out of patience. I don't have any patience left.My patience was not slow and gentle like it is supposed to be for leaders.It was not noble and kind.No, my patience was sharp and visible like a knife that has been sharpened many times.Serena was very good at making me lose my patience.She walked into the war room without knocking, like she always did.It was like she did not care about knocking or being polite.The doors closed behind her quietly. Everything about her was too perfect and controlled.She was too calm and composed for someone who had started a war.I did not look up from the map I was studying.I just said "What" in an unwelcoming tone.She ignored my tone. said, "The northern scouts are back".I rubbed my hand over my jaw. Stopped myself from sighing.She was an irritating woman.She added, "There is movement near the pass".I stared at the map. Thought about the borders and territories that were losing importance by the hour.All I could think about was
SERENAFear sounds really different when it is inside your home.It is not loud.It is not crazy.It is not people screaming when they realize they are too close to the fire.No.Real fear is quiet.It is the pause before someone answers you.The servants avoid looking at you.The doors close carefully.I don’t like it.The moment my servant did not come back I knew something was wrong.I did not just think it I knew it.She was a disciplined person.She was efficient.She was always there when you needed her.She never missed deadlines.She never did things on her own.She never just disappeared without a word.If she failed she would get caught.If she got caught people would find out about me.If people found out, Kael would be a problem.I stood by the window with my hands behind my back trying to look calm.Outside the city was restless.The torches were moving in patterns.There were guards than usual.That was Kaels answer to everything.Just add guards.Look angry.Call it a







