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AlexanderThe Great Hall has never looked more magnificent. Thousands of white roses cascade from the vaulted ceiling, their petals scattered across marble floors that gleam in the afternoon sunlight streaming through stained glass windows. The scent of moonflower essence—the same used in our original bonding ritual—fills the air, a subtle reminder of how far we've come.I stand at the altar in full ceremonial dress, trying to calm my nerves as nearly three hundred guests fill the hall. Lords and ladies, common folk, refugee healers, foreign dignitaries—all here to witness something that's never happened before in our kingdom's history."Breathe," my father murmurs beside me. King Alaric looks every inch the sovereign in his formal robes, but his eyes hold warmth and pride. "You've faced down assassins and dark magic. You can handle a few marriage vows.""It's not the vows I'm worried about," I admit quietly. The traditional bonding ceremony requires the physical marking—biting—that s
KieranThree days after Vega's defeat, I'm still getting used to the looks. They follow me through the palace corridors—some curious, some disapproving, a few openly hostile. But there are others too, expressions of acceptance and even support that I never expected to see from the nobility.The aftermath of the battle left parts of the palace damaged but repairable. More importantly, it left the three of us fundamentally changed in ways that go beyond our bond. We're not the same people who stumbled into this connection, and everyone can see it."The morning council session was interesting," Alexander says as I enter his chambers—our chambers, really, though we're still figuring out the logistics of that arrangement. He's reading through reports while Lyra sorts through letters that arrived with the morning courier."Define interesting," I reply, settling beside him on the couch. The casual intimacy still feels surreal sometimes."Lord Harwick formally requested that I clarify the 'un
LyraThe pain tears through me like lightning, starting in my chest where the bond pulses and spreading outward until every nerve feels like it's on fire. Through our connection, I feel Alexander and Kieran experiencing the same agony as Vega's magic claws at our very essence."She's close," I gasp, pressing my hand to the wall for support. "The extraction—it's too strong for distance magic."Alexander's face is pale but determined as he helps steady me. "Where? The palace is massive.""Somewhere with access to the foundational wards," Kieran manages through gritted teeth. His healer's knowledge proves crucial even now. "Blood magic this powerful needs to tap into the palace's own magical infrastructure."Another wave of extraction hits, and this time I can actually feel our blood being drawn away—not physically, but magically, pulled through the bond that makes us whole. It's violating in a way that makes my skin crawl."The ritual chamber," I realize suddenly. "Below the sanctuary w
AlexanderThe bond creates something unprecedented—not just shared awareness but actual shared abilities. When Kieran heals a cut on Lyra's arm, I feel my own healing power channeling through him, amplifying his natural gifts. When I strike down an attacker, both their strength flows through me, making each blow more effective than it should be.It's intoxicating and terrifying at the same time. I can feel Lyra's tactical mind analyzing our enemies' movements, predicting their attacks before they happen. Kieran's protective instincts merge with mine, creating an awareness of threats that seems to extend in all directions. We move like we've been fighting together for years instead of minutes."Behind you!" Lyra calls, but I'm already turning, driven by her warning through the bond before her words even register. My sword meets the attacker's blade with perfect timing, and I feel both my mates' approval surge through our connection.A crossbow bolt grazes my shoulder, and instantly Kie
Alexander The first blast of dark magic strikes the palace's outer defenses with enough force to shake the ancient stones beneath our feet. Through the tall windows of my chambers, I watch as Vega's forces spread across the courtyard like a plague, their unnatural darkness swallowing the evening light."The main gates are holding," Dominic reports, bursting through the door with Captain Merrick close behind. "But those artifacts you mentioned—they're tearing through our magical defenses faster than we can reinforce them."I strap on my ceremonial sword, the weight familiar and comforting against my hip. "Evacuation status?""Non-combatants are secure in the inner keep," Merrick confirms. "Your parents and sister are coordinating the magical defenses from the war room.""And the refugee healers?" Lyra asks, her voice tight with concern."Protected," Dominic assures her. "Extra guards posted, warded rooms. They're as safe as we can make them."The bond between us pulses with shared anx
Kieran As we lie tangled together in his enormous bed, the reality of what just happened settles over us. The bond hums with contentment, carrying Lyra's distant awareness—she knows what we've done and approves, the knowledge flowing through our connection like a blessing."So," Alexander says eventually, his fingers tracing idle patterns on my chest. "How was that for your first time with a prince?"I snort. "Pretentious and self-absorbed, just like I expected."His offended gasp makes me grin. "I'll show you pretentious," he threatens, but his hands are gentle as they pull me closer.The comfortable silence that follows is broken by urgent knocking at the door. Alexander groans, pressing his face into my shoulder. "Ignore it."But the knocking continues, accompanied by Dominic's voice. "Alexander, we have a problem. Intelligence just came in—Vega's forces are moving faster than anticipated."Alexander's contentment vanishes, replaced by sharp focus. "How much faster?""Three hours