Chapter Three: Ashthorne Keep

I woke to the sound of waves.

For a few disoriented seconds, I didn't recognize it.

Then memory returned.

The storm.

The drive.

Silas.

Home.

I sat up slowly in the backseat of the vehicle.

A blanket had somehow appeared around my shoulders.

I already knew who had placed it there.

Across from me, Silas sat with a book open in his lap. The morning sun filtered through the tinted windows, casting silver light across his dark hair.

For someone who ruled an entire kingdom, he looked remarkably peaceful.

As though spending twelve hours driving through a storm had been completely normal.

As though rescuing heartbroken women from terrible life choices was part of his weekly schedule.

The thought nearly made me laugh.

Silas looked up.

The moment he noticed I was awake, he closed the book.

"Morning."

His voice carried the same calm warmth I remembered.

I rubbed sleep from my eyes.

"How long was I asleep?"

"About five hours."

My eyes widened.

"Five?"

A faint smile appeared.

"You seemed tired."

That was an understatement.

Emotional devastation apparently exhausted a person.

Who knew?

I stretched carefully before glancing out the window.

The sight stole my breath.

Mountains rose in the distance.

Ancient forests covered the hills like emerald blankets.

Beyond them, sunlight danced across a vast silver sea.

And perched atop black cliffs overlooking everything stood Ashthorne Keep.

My home.

Gods.

I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it.

The castle looked exactly as I remembered.

Massive stone towers.

Dark walls weathered by centuries of storms.

Silver banners bearing the royal wolf crest fluttering in the wind.

Powerful.

Beautiful.

Unshakable.

A lump formed in my throat.

Silas noticed.

Of course he did.

"You okay?"

I nodded.

Not trusting my voice.

For several moments, neither of us spoke.

The vehicle climbed the winding road toward the fortress.

With every passing mile, memories resurfaced.

Running through the gardens with Lyra.

Sword training with Cassian.

Tea with Queen Seraphine.

Sneaking pastries from the kitchen with Silas.

It felt like another lifetime.

One I'd abandoned.

What if things had changed?

What if they resented me?

What if—

"Aurelia."

I looked over.

Silas's silver eyes met mine.

Steady.

Certain.

"You're thinking too much."

My mouth opened.

Then closed.

Because unfortunately he was right.

Again.

A corner of his mouth lifted.

"They've missed you."

Something fragile inside me trembled.

"What if they're angry?"

The question escaped before I could stop it.

Silas stared at me.

Then actually looked offended.

Not personally offended.

Offended on behalf of his family.

"Aurelia."

The warning tone was familiar.

I suddenly felt seventeen again.

"You really think my mother would let anyone be angry with you?"

I blinked.

A laugh escaped me.

Because no.

No, Queen Seraphine absolutely would not.

The woman treated emotional distress like a personal enemy.

Silas seemed pleased by my reaction.

Good.

The smile returned briefly.

Then disappeared as the gates opened before us.

Massive iron doors swung inward.

The royal guards immediately saluted.

The vehicle rolled through.

And suddenly everyone was there.

Waiting.

My heart stopped.

Standing at the top of the grand staircase was Queen Seraphine.

Beside her stood King Elias.

Cassian.

Lyra.

Several household staff.

Dozens of familiar faces.

The entire welcoming committee.

Panic immediately set in.

Silas noticed.

Again.

Naturally.

Without saying anything, he stepped out first and offered his hand.

The gesture was simple.

But the message was clear.

You don't have to face this alone.

My throat tightened.

I took it.

Warm fingers closed around mine.

Steady.

Strong.

Safe.

Together, we climbed the stairs.

The moment I reached the top, Queen Seraphine moved.

Fast.

Far faster than anyone wearing a royal gown should be capable of moving.

One second she stood beside Elias.

The next she wrapped her arms around me.

"My darling."

That was all it took.

Tears immediately returned.

"Oh no."

Seraphine pulled back just enough to cup my face.

"We are not crying before breakfast."

I laughed through my tears.

The queen looked victorious.

"There she is."

Gods, I'd missed her.

King Elias stepped forward next.

Unlike his wife, he didn't hug me immediately.

Instead, the former king studied me carefully.

Evaluating.

Assessing.

Looking for damage.

Finally, he nodded.

"You look thin."

I blinked.

That wasn't what I'd expected.

At all.

The older king frowned.

"Have you been eating properly?"

I stared.

Then laughed again.

A real laugh this time.

The tension shattered instantly.

Elias looked satisfied.

"Good."

Apparently his inspection was complete.

Then chaos arrived.

Lyra launched herself at me.

Literally.

I barely managed to catch her.

"You left!"

"I know."

"You disappeared!"

"I know."

"I wrote thirty-seven letters!"

I froze.

"What?"

Lyra looked deeply offended.

"Thirty-seven."

My jaw dropped.

"You couldn't send them."

"I know."

"Then why write them?"

Her expression softened.

"Because one day you'd come home."

Silence followed.

Then I hugged her tighter.

Behind us, someone cleared their throat.

Cassian.

The kingdom's terrifying Master General.

The man responsible for half the military's nightmares.

For a moment neither of us moved.

Then Cassian sighed dramatically.

And pulled me into a hug.

The entire world stopped.

Because Cassian Ashthorne did not hug people.

Ever.

The staff looked shocked.

The guards looked shocked.

Even Silas looked mildly surprised.

Cassian immediately released me.

His expression returning to normal.

"Don't tell anyone."

Too late.

Everyone had seen it.

The general looked ready to declare war on witnesses.

I smiled.

For the first time in months, the ache in my chest felt lighter.

Not gone.

But lighter.

I wasn't standing in the ruins of my old life anymore.

I was standing at the beginning of something new.

As the family guided me toward the castle entrance, I glanced back.

Silas remained on the stairs.

Watching.

Not hovering.

Not demanding attention.

Just making sure I was okay.

Our eyes met.

A small smile appeared on his face.

The same one he'd worn when we were children.

The same one he'd worn when he came for me.

And for the first time since leaving Valtheris, I realized something important.

Coming home wasn't a mistake.

It was the first right decision I'd made in months.

Unfortunately, neither of us knew that far beyond the kingdom's borders, dark forces had already begun moving.

And among them was a mysterious figure carrying an ancient prophecy.

A prophecy that spoke of a Lycan King.

A lost Luna.

And a war that would either save Valtheris...

Or destroy it forever.