|ASTRAEA|"Princess Astraea," one of the council members spoke, his tone dripping with condescension. "We are pleased that you could join us."Inside the building, a hushed atmosphere greeted me, the air heavy with anticipation and tension. The grand chamber was adorned with intricate tapestries and ornate furnishings, a stark contrast to the solemn faces that awaited me within.I straightened my spine, refusing to be intimidated by their condescending airs. “So you are the council, the ones who make Orion come back from every meeting fuming with anger. Tch.” I said as their eyes widened at my words.“Excuse me?” One of them, a blonde haired celestial being glared at me as her fists rested clenched on the table.“You're quite excused, there's the door.” I said, pointing at the doors and they murmured, the blonde haired woman looked like she had all the life in her body drained out.Two taps on the table and the whole table went quiet. To think they hadn't even offered me a seat yet.

|ASTRAEA|The sound of metal against metal echoed throughout the training grounds as the swords collided. We sparred fiercely, Terielle and I moving with fluid precision and countering each other's strikes quickly.I concentrated on my gait, adjusting deftly to sidestep Terielle's blows while sustaining a constant offensive of my own. The fierceness of the duel strengthened my resolve and inspired me to go above and beyond my comfort zone.My veins pounded with adrenaline with every swiss of our blades, enhancing my senses and focusing my attention. Every action turned into a calculated risk, a calculated move meant to give us the advantage in our never-ending struggle.Terielle showed herself to be a very tough opponent; she was precisely as skilled and agile as I was. However, I resisted giving in and met her blows with unwavering determination, using every ounce of strength and resolve I had.In that moment, nothing else mattered except the exhilarating rush of combat, the thrill of

|ORION|Feets clacked on the crystal floor as I fumed, trying to rein it all in.I could smell his scent all over her.He touched her, took her and she tried to protect him by hiding it from me.How dare he.“It's not like he abducted her, Orion.”Rehema sighed trying to talk me out of what I planned to do. “You are taking it too far, Brother.”Smoke surrounded the room and a pair of azure eyes met with my obsidian ones. Rehema tried to reason with me, her voice tinged with concern, but I couldn't hear her over the roaring fury coursing through my veins. Kallias stood before me, his expression a mix of surprise and defiance as I advanced towards him, my anger boiling over.Before he could react, my fist connected with his jaw, the impact echoing through the room. He stumbled back, caught off guard by the sudden assault.“How dare you touch my mate!” I seethed, my voice a low growl as I loomed over him, my fists clenched at my sides.Kallias recovered quickly, his own anger flaring as h

|ASTRAEA|“You'll be living with the moon goddess for now,” Rehema had said earlier before dropping us off at the moon goddess’ palace.I had not seen Orion since the day I waved to him from the training grounds.He didn't even say goodbye.As Rehema bid us farewell and departed, leaving Eloise, Terielle, and me alone in the grand halls of the moon goddess's palace, the soft echo of a maid's footsteps filled the air. A gentle voice broke the silence, welcoming us to our new temporary home."We are honored to have you here," the maid said, her voice warm and comforting. "Please, follow me. I will show you to your chambers, where you can rest after your long journey."I exchanged glances with Eloise and Terielle, a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation reflected in their eyes. Together, we followed the maid through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, marveling at the opulence surrounding us.Eventually, we arrived at our separate chambers, each one adorned with luxurious furnishi

|ORION|"Welcome back, sire." Lotar's voice rang through my ears as my eyes snapped open, the ache in my head not going unnoticed."Lotar," I acknowledged, my voice hoarse as I struggled to sit up, the events of the previous day still fresh in my mind. "How many days has it been?""It's been three days, Sire. Longer than before." Isighed,rubbing my temple."What's the situation?""We've received reports of increased activity in the borderlands," Lotar replied, his tone grave. "It seems the enemy forces are preparing for another assault."I grimaced, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me like a heavy burden. "Gather the troops," I instructed, my mind already racing with plans and strategies. "We must be ready to defend our territory at all costs."Lotar nodded, his expression serious. "At once, sire."As Lotar hurried off to carry out my orders, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. The looming threat of war hung over us like a dark c