Mag-log inLilaIt’s strange how the smallest sound, like the brush of quill to parchment, can fill a room with thoughts.The palace beyond our chambers is silent now, its pulse softened to the rhythm of domestic life. I can hear faint laughter drifting through the open balcony doors: the twins chasing each ot
DamonSomewhere below, laughter spills faintly through the gardens: high, bright, unguarded. The twins again, playing well-past their bedtime but I don’t have the heart to call them inside.I walk the long hall that leads from the council chamber to our private suite, the torches low, their flames s
Every tree leans toward the wind, every leaf trembles like it recognizes us.Ruby hums beneath my ribs, her joy is an endless echo. Faster, she urges. The world will wait for us to slow down later.So we run.Zane’s golden form stays just ahead, his stride long and sure, the light from the moon catc
LilaI could feel it in the stone beneath my bare feet, in the calm rhythm of the sentries’ hearts beyond the gates: the kingdom was in a time of peace.I slipped through the eastern corridor, skirts gathered in one hand, the cool floor pressing against my soles. When I reached the stables, I found
The crowd quieted instantly as she lifted her hands over the flame. The moon above flared brighter, its light spilling across her skin like liquid light.This was her kingdom. Our kingdom. I realized it had never really been mine alone.LilaThe fire crackled, alive and breathing. Its gold bled into
DamonThe air burned cold and clean beneath the full moon.From the dais, I could see the courtyard stretch endlessly below; lanterns hanging from the ramparts, petals scattered across stone, banners of every Pack rippling in the silver wind.Wolves, healers, and warriors stood shoulder to shoulder.
I smiled at that, feeling the bond hum faintly between Lila and me; her awareness of where I was and who I was with.Kael turned toward the archway leading back to the palace. “Rest well, Damon,” he said. “You’ve earned it.”“So have you.”He gave a short nod, then walked away, his silhouette framed
I nodded once. “It is.”We knelt there in the snow until the last light died, two silhouettes beside a body, and for the first time in years, I didn’t feel the weight of his shadow behind me anymore. Only the warmth of hers beside me.I lifted Asher’s body into my arms, and we returned to the palace
Her voice trembled, but her posture did not. I liked her immediately.“Thank you,” I said.She stood, eyes bright. “We’ve done our best to change what Henry did. But some wounds…” Her voice faltered. “Some are for your hand, Luna.”I knew which wounds she meant.“Bring her,” I said.The crowd parted
DamonMy footsteps echoed down the narrow stairway of the crypt, each one a reminder that I’d avoided this place for far too long.The torchlight wavered as I entered the underground chamber. The air was colder here than outside, even with the torches burning along the walls. The glow crawled across







