LOGINLyra's pov The council chamber felt too small for the pressure of the decision we had to make.Lady Evara sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap, her face pale and tense. She had recovered physically from Daemon's nightmare, but the bruises on her throat—purple and yellow now—served as a stark reminder of how close she had come to death.At her child's hands.Ronan stood at the head of the table, his posture rigid. King Aldric sat to his right, Theron to his left. Celeste had come immediately when summoned. And two magical specialists—elderly scholars who had spent decades studying shadow magic—waited with grave expressions."We have three options," the first specialist said. Her name was Meredith, and her voice was clinical, detached. "The first: a magical binding to suppress the child's power entirely until he reaches maturity.""Suppress it how?" I asked, my hand unconsciously moving to rest on my growing belly. My second child was active today, as if sensing my distress."A
Lyra's povI watched from the nursery window as Seraphina chased Daemon through the garden below, her laughter bright as silver bells.Two years had passed since Theron's revelation about the binding prophecy. Two years of watching these children grow, wondering if we had made the right choice keeping the truth from them. Wondering if we were protecting them or simply delaying the inevitable."Mama, look!" Seraphina's voice carried up to the window. "Daemon made butterflies!"I leaned closer and saw shadow creatures—tiny, delicate things shaped like butterflies—fluttering around my daughter's head. She clapped her hands in delight, and her own light magic responded, making the shadow butterflies glow with soft silver luminescence.The balance was perfect. Beautiful and terrifying."They are remarkable together," Celeste said from behind me.I had not heard her enter. She had arrived from Moonstone yesterday, making one of her regular visits to coordinate our continued efforts against
Celeste's povTheron's summons came at dawn.I had been in Moonstone, dealing with yet another arrested cult member, when the message arrived. “Come immediately. I have new discovery about the prophecy. It's critical information.”I rode to Shadowfang with an escort, arriving by midday. Lyra met me at the gates, her daughter Seraphina—now two years old—balanced on her hip. The child had her mother's storm-gray eyes and her father's dark hair, a perfect blend of both kingdoms."He has been locked in the library for three days," Lyra said as we walked. "Barely eating, barely sleeping. Whatever he found, it has him completely consumed.""And you did not press him?""I tried. He said he needed to be certain before he spoke." She shifted Seraphina to her other hip. "But Celeste, he looked... troubled."We found Theron in the library's deepest chamber, surrounded by ancient texts and scattered parchments. His face was haggard, eyes red from lack of sleep. King Aldric and Ronan were already
Celeste's povThe morning sunlight streaming through my study window felt different somehow.Warmer, perhaps. Or maybe it was just that I had finally learned to appreciate it after so much darkness.I set down my quill and stretched, my neck stiff from hours bent over correspondence. Outside my window, Moonstone city bustled with life—merchants calling out their wares, children laughing as they played in the streets, the sound of construction as we continued rebuilding what had been destroyed.Six months since Seraphina's birth. Six months of relative peace.It felt almost too good to be true."Your Grace, you have been working since dawn." Mira appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray with tea and fresh bread. "At least eat something.""I have too much to do—""Which you will do better after eating." She set the tray on my desk with a pointed look. "Besides, you are meeting with the education committee this afternoon. You will need your strength to deal with Councilor Brennan's objec
Celeste's pov The dungeons looked different in daylight.Not literally—they were still underground, still lit by torches and the occasional shaft of sunlight from high windows. But they felt different. Workers moved through the corridors with hammers and tools, tearing down the old cells, building something new."We are converting them into storage rooms," the captain of the guard explained as he led me deeper. "You said no one should suffer down here again. So we are making sure they cannot.""Good." My voice came out steadier than I felt. Every step deeper into these corridors brought back memories—the cold, the fear, the certainty that I would die here. "What did you find?""This way, Your Grace."He led me to a section I had never seen before, far from where I had been held. The workers had been knocking down a wall when they discovered a false barrier hiding a chamber beyond.I stepped through the opening and stopped cold.The room was large, circular, and absolutely filled with
Celeste's povThe Goddess had barely faded from sight when Lyra gasped and doubled over."No," she breathed, one hand clutching her rounded stomach. "No, not now. It is too early—""Lyra!" Ronan was at her side instantly, catching her before she could fall. "What is wrong? What is happening?""The baby." Her face contorted with pain. "The baby is coming."Chaos erupted.Lady Evara, still holding Daemon, stepped back to give the healers room. Theron began barking orders about preparing for transport. King Aldric moved with surprising speed for his age, organizing soldiers to clear a path back to Shadowfang.And Ronan—the fearsome Alpha King who had faced shadow beasts and dark magic without flinching—looked absolutely terrified."She is not due for another six weeks," he said, his voice cracking. "This is too early. Something is wrong—""The Goddess's blessing triggered early labor," one of the healers said, already examining Lyra. "Not uncommon when powerful magic is involved. But we







