LOGIN(Selene’s POV)The Elven Capital proved its lister stayed even at the midnight.Even as night settled, the city glowed softly, lanterns floating like fireflies between silver trees, bridges arched with living vines that shimmered faintly with magic. From the balcony where I stood, I could see spires rising through the mist, their carvings catching moonlight like polished glass.It was beautiful.And overwhelming.I rested my hands on the stone railing, letting the coolness ground me. After everything we learned in the archives, my thoughts refused to slow down. Anchor. Chain. Warden. None of the words sat right in my chest, but they wouldn’t leave either.Footsteps approached behind me, quiet, measured.I didn’t need to turn to know it was Fenrir.“You should be resting,” he said gently.“So should you,” I replied.He stopped beside me, close enough that our shoulders almost touched. “Old habits. I keep watch better than I sleep.”I glanced at him. His expression was calm, but I could
(Selene’s POV)The door did not open all at once.It resisted.The moment Thalanor placed his palm against the seal, the symbols carved into the stone reacted, lines of light spreading slowly, like veins waking beneath skin. The air thickened, pressing against my chest until breathing felt heavier.Fenrir shifted closer to me. I could feel his magic brushing against my side, subtle but protective, like he was quietly reinforcing a shield around me without making it obvious.“You’re alright,” he murmured, just for me. “I’ve got you.”I nodded, even though my heart was pounding.The door finally released with a deep, ancient sound—stone grinding against stone. Cold air spilled out from the darkness beyond, carrying a scent that reminded me of old rain and burned metal.The archives waited.Inside, the chamber was vast and circular, its ceiling lost in shadow. Rows of floating crystal tablets hovered in slow orbits, each etched with glowing elven script. Some pulsed faintly. Others were
(Selene’s POV)I rested my hands on the stone railing, trying to steady my thoughts. Fenrir stood beside me, close enough that our shoulders almost touched. He didn’t crowd me. He never did. But his presence was solid, grounding, like an anchor I didn’t realize I’d been clinging to.Below us, the Elven Capital unfolded in layers of white stone and living wood. Bridges curved like ribbons between towers grown, built from ancient trees. Soft lights floated through the air, sustained by magic older than most kingdoms.All I can say is that it’s beautiful.And yet…“It feels wrong,” I murmured.Fenrir didn’t ask what I meant. “Yes,” he said quietly. “It does.”We’d arrived only an hour ago, escorted through hidden mountain paths and illusion-veiled gates that responded to Fenrir’s blood and magic. No alarms had sounded. No guards had stopped us. That alone unsettled me.The Elven Capital was never unguarded.Behind us, Gabriel spoke in a low voice with Oragon and Winter, already discussin
(Selene’s POV)Sleep didn’t come easy.I felt like I was just drifting, shallow and restless, like my body didn’t trust itself enough to fully let go. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt it again. That quiet pull. Not violent. Not urgent.Patient.When I finally woke, pale light filtered through the tall window, painting the stone walls in silver and blue. The Elven Capital was awake. I could hear it now—soft footsteps, distant voices speaking in melodic tones, the hum of magic woven into everyday life.I sat up slowly, testing my body.Sore. Tired. But stable.That alone felt like a victory.A knock sounded at the door.“Selene?” Fenrir’s voice.“Yes,” I answered.He stepped inside, looking… different. Not armored. Not battle-ready. He wore a simple elven tunic, dark green with silver threading along the sleeves. No sword. No cloak.Just Fenrir.“Morning,” he said.“Is it?” I glanced at the light. “Feels like everything changed overnight.”He gave a faint smile. “It tends to do that.
(Selene’s POV)The archives smelled like old rain and silver dust.That was the first thing I noticed as we stepped inside—rows upon rows of towering shelves carved directly into living stone, each lined with crystal tablets, scrolls bound in pale leather, and floating glyphs that drifted slowly like lazy fireflies. Soft light glowed from the walls, lighting the dimly lit place.“This place is restricted,” the elder said as she led us in. “Many of these records haven’t been touched in centuries.”Fenrir walked beside me, his presence steady. I could feel his magic faintly now—not flaring, not guarded. Calm. Familiar. Like he was finally standing on ground that recognized him.Winter let out a low whistle. “Okay, I take it back. This is officially the coolest library I’ve ever almost died to reach.”Oragon shot him a look. “Focus.”We were guided to a circular chamber at the heart of the archives. A single table waited there, grown from silverwood, its surface etched with slow-moving r
(Selene’s POV)As we walked deeper into the city, the forest thinned into wide pathways of pale stone and living roots. Towers rose like grown crystal, curved and elegant, woven with vines that glimmered faintly under the sun. Everything looked alive, watching, listening.And I felt it.That same pressure again.“Don’t react,” Fenrir murmured beside me, his voice low. “The city is old. It senses magic instinctively.”“I’m not doing anything,” I whispered back.“That’s what worries me.”Winter craned his neck, staring at everything. “Okay, I officially feel underdressed.”Oragon shot him a look. “You always are.”Despite the tension, the city felt… calm. No alarms. No sudden movement. Elves passed us quietly, their gazes lingering just a second too long on Fenrir—and then sliding to me.Not hostile.Curious.Judging.Fenrir straightened unconsciously as we moved forward. His posture changed—subtle, but clear. He wasn’t just Fenrir the warrior here.He was Fenrir of the Silver Line.An







