Chapter 10: THE CROWN THAT CHOOSES ITS KING

Elias stared at the ancient crown inside the wooden case, struggling to understand how a single object could threaten the lives of seven kingdoms. Its blackened silver surface looked older than anything he had ever seen, yet the pale stone at its center pulsed like a living heart. Every time the light brightened, the pendant around his neck responded, sending warmth through his chest.

“If the crown can choose a king, why has it remained hidden beneath the palace for so long?” Elias asked.

Master Alaric closed the case. “Because the last time it was worn, the First Bloodline was betrayed. The crown's power became unstable, and the kingdoms nearly destroyed one another. Your ancestors hid it until the rightful heirs could return.”

“And you decided who would survive until then?” Kael demanded. The silver mark beneath his skin had returned to its usual brightness, but the anger in his eyes remained. “You took me from my family, bound my power, and made me believe everyone I loved was dead. You don't get to stand here and call yourself my protector.”

Alaric accepted the accusation without flinching. “You are right to hate me. I made decisions that cost you both your childhoods. But if I had allowed the council to discover that both heirs survived, they would have hunted you until neither of you remained alive.”

“You could have told us the truth,” Elias said.

“I could have,” Alaric admitted. “But the truth would have made you targets before either of you was strong enough to defend yourselves.”

Elias shook his head. Everyone seemed to believe that keeping secrets was the same as saving lives. His parents had done it, the Queen Mother had done it, and now Alaric expected him to accept the same excuse. Their choices might have been made out of fear, but Elias was the one who had to live with the consequences.

Cassian stepped closer to the table. “You said the crown will not recognize a ruler who has rejected his destined mate unless that mate willingly accepts him again. Is that why my family tried to separate us?”

“Partly,” Alaric answered. “The bond between a true mate and an heir of the First Bloodline can strengthen the crown or destroy its power. Your rejection weakened the connection before Elias's abilities fully awakened. That may have delayed the prophecy, but it also made the crown vulnerable.”

Cassian looked at Elias, guilt plain on his face. “I didn't know.”

“You knew enough to reject me,” Elias replied. “You believed your mother when she told you I was dangerous, and you made your decision without giving me a chance to explain myself. You cannot keep using what you didn't know to excuse what you chose to do.”

“I won't.” Cassian's voice was quiet but firm. “I cannot ask you to forgive me today. All I can do is prove that I will not make the same mistake again.”

Kael gave a mocking laugh. “How touching. The king has discovered regret, and now we are supposed to believe he deserves another chance.”

“This has nothing to do with what I deserve,” Cassian said. “It concerns Elias, and he will decide for himself.”

“Then let him decide whether he wants to stand beside the man who rejected him or beside the brother who has come to restore his family's throne.”

Elias looked at Kael. “You keep speaking as if I must choose between you. Why can't we uncover the truth together?”

“Because you still believe there is a place for you in this kingdom without taking anything from the people who stole it.”

“I don't want your throne.”

“Not yet,” Kael replied. “You haven't seen what it can do.”

Before Elias could answer, a loud crash sounded beyond the audience chamber. Several guards rushed through the doors, their weapons drawn. One of them had blood running down his forehead, and he struggled to speak as he approached Cassian.

“Your Majesty, the council has sealed the eastern wing. They claim the First Bloodline heirs have committed treason and demand that both be taken into custody.”

Cassian's expression hardened. “On whose authority?”

“Lord Varrick's, Your Majesty. He says the council has invoked the ancient emergency law.”

Alaric went pale. “Varrick cannot invoke that law without the royal seal.”

“He has it,” the guard replied. “Someone stole it from the king's private chambers.”

Cassian immediately turned toward his brother. “Adrian, take half the guards and secure the royal seal chamber. No one enters or leaves without your permission.”

Adrian nodded and hurried out. Cassian then faced the remaining guards. “No one touches Elias or Kael. Anyone who attempts to arrest them answers directly to me.”

Kael's expression darkened. “You are protecting me now?”

“I am protecting the truth until I know what the council is hiding.”

“Your council has been hiding the truth for twenty-three years,” Elias reminded him.

Cassian did not look away. “Then it ends tonight.”

A bell rang somewhere in the palace, followed by the heavy sound of boots approaching the chamber. The guards moved into formation, but Alaric caught Elias's arm before he could step toward the doors.

“You must not remain here,” the healer whispered. “Lord Varrick is not simply trying to seize the throne. He knows the crown has awakened, and he will do anything to prevent either heir from claiming it.”

“Who is he working for?”

Alaric hesitated. “Someone who was present the night you were born. Someone who has controlled the council from the shadows since the massacre.”

Elias felt the pendant grow hot again. “You know who it is.”

“I know the name, but I cannot tell you until I have proof. If I accuse the wrong person, the council will destroy every record that could reveal the truth.”

The chamber doors shook under another heavy blow.

Kael drew a second dagger from inside his coat. “We don't have time for more secrets. Give me the crown, and I will deal with the council.”

“No,” Alaric said sharply. “The crown cannot be claimed through force. If you try to wear it while your brother's blood remains unrecognized, it may reject you.”

“Then perhaps I should remove the obstacle.”

Kael turned toward Elias, and the threat in his expression made Elias step back.

Cassian moved between them immediately. “You will not touch him.”

Kael raised his dagger. “Move, Cassian.”

“No.”

The twins' ancient power stirred at the same time. Silver light spread beneath their skin, filling the chamber with a pressure that forced the guards to their knees. Elias fought to control the energy, but Kael seemed to welcome it, his eyes brightening as the power gathered around his blade.

Then the wooden case flew open.

The crown rose into the air, spinning slowly above the table. Its pale stone shone brighter with every heartbeat until the entire chamber was flooded with silver light. Elias felt something reach into his mind, searching through his memories, his fears, and the pain he carried from Cassian's rejection.

A voice spoke inside him.

First heir, will you claim the throne?

Elias looked at Kael, who had gone completely still beneath the crown's glow. Then he looked at Cassian, whose face held fear he made no attempt to hide.

“No,” Elias answered aloud. “I will not claim a throne built on lies, and I will not kill my brother to satisfy a prophecy.”

The crown stopped spinning.

For one breath, the entire palace seemed to fall silent.

Then the ancient object turned toward Kael, and its silver points began to glow red.

Alaric stumbled backward. “That is impossible. The crown has never rejected an heir before.”

Kael's face twisted with fury. “What have you done?”

“I haven't done anything!” Elias shouted.

A sharp crack split the crown down its center. The pale stone shattered, sending fragments of light across the chamber before everything went dark.

When the guards finally raised their heads, the crown lay broken on the table.

And from somewhere beyond the sealed doors, Lord Varrick's voice rang through the palace.

“Arrest the twins. The ancient crown has been destroyed, and the First Bloodline has no rightful claim to the throne.”

Cassian drew his sword as the doors began to open.

But Elias could hear another voice whispering inside his mind, a voice that sounded nothing like the crown.

The crown was never the source of your power.

It was the lock.