Lahat ng Kabanata ng Luminous: The Throne: Kabanata 151 - Kabanata 160

“She’s coming back! Clear the courtyard!”Ianthe’s voice rang across the grounds of Solaris Palace, cutting through the cheers that had already begun to rise beyond the gates.Soldiers hurried to form an orderly reception line, though their attempts were quickly overwhelmed by palace attendants, healers, officials, and citizens who had gathered to witness WING-01’s return. Applause rolled through the courtyard, joined by relieved laughter and quiet sobs.Beside the landing platform, Kael stood with his arms folded.He appeared indifferent to the noise.Selene knew better.She nudged his shoulder. “Try not to look as though you’re preparing to attack the welcoming committee.”“I’m not.”“Your shadows disagree.”Kael glanced down. Dark wisps curled restlessly around his boots before retreating beneath his cloak.WING-01 descended through the evening sky, its damaged hull catching the last light of the setting sun. Scorch marks covered one wing, and several shield panels had cracked duri

“You’re hiding something.”Selene did not bother to knock. She pushed open the doors of Kael’s private training hall and entered as though she owned that part of Unity Palace.She did not.No one had ever convinced her that this mattered.Kael paused in front of a battered practice dummy, the edge of his blade resting against its wooden neck. Sweat darkened the collar of his training shirt, and restless shadows moved across the floor around his boots.“I’m training,” he said.“You’ve been training for three hours.”He lowered the blade. “And?”“And your shadows are agitated.” Selene leaned against the doorframe and folded her arms. “That usually means you’re planning to kill someone or avoiding an emotion.”“Neither.”“Liar.”Kael turned away and slid the sword into its sheath. “Go away.”Selene remained exactly where she was.“You’ve disappeared at strange hours all week,” she continued. “Rian says you questioned him about historical bond ceremonies. Kade says you asked about resonan

“Your schedule is a disaster.”Kael stood across from Alessia’s desk, frowning at the stack of scrolls in his hands. He read the first page, placed it to one side, then picked up another and looked even less pleased.“Three council meetings, a diplomatic luncheon, two provincial hearings, and a reception for the Solaris trade delegation—all in one day.” He lifted his gaze. “Who approved this?”Alessia continued signing the letter before her. “You did.”Kael went still.“When?”“Last night.”“I don’t remember that.”“You were half asleep.” She dipped her pen into the ink. “I read the schedule aloud, and you said, ‘Fine, approve it.’ Then you fell asleep on my shoulder.”Kael looked accusingly at the documents. “I withdraw my approval.”“You can’t.”“Watch me.”“No.”His shadow flickered across the floor in open irritation.A smile touched Alessia’s mouth, though she kept her attention on the letter. “The Shadow-Consort is an official position. You should take your administrative respon

“Alessia.”Alessia paused in the nursery doorway, Kaelian nestled peacefully in her arms. A stuffed fox dangled from her free hand, one of several toys that had found their way across the room that morning.Kael stood beside the cradle with his arms folded. His expression was composed, but the shadow flickering behind him betrayed his unease.“Yes?” she asked.“He did it again.”Alessia looked down at their six-month-old son. “What did he do?”“He disappeared.”The stuffed fox slipped from her fingers.“Kael, you cannot say that so casually.”“How else should I say it?” He gestured toward the cradle. “One moment he was there. I turned to pick up his blanket, and when I looked back, the cradle was empty.”Alessia crossed the room and lowered Kaelian onto the padded rug. He gazed up at them with wide silver-violet eyes, two fingers tucked innocently into his mouth.“How long was he gone?”“Three heartbeats.”“And where did you find him?”“Inside my shadow.”Alessia pressed her lips toge

“Kaelian, slow down—”Alessia did not finish the warning.The ten-year-old boy running ahead of her dissolved into silver mist and reappeared several yards farther along the forest path. His boots caught on a moss-covered stone, sending him into an awkward midair turn.Instead of falling, Kaelian vanished again.He reappeared hanging upside down from a low tree branch, his knees hooked securely around the wood. His pale golden hair swayed beneath him while mischief shone in his silver-violet eyes.“—before you hurt yourself,” Alessia finished.Kaelian grinned. “I didn’t fall.”“You nearly did.”“I descended creatively.”Kael emerged from the shadows behind Alessia. Dark energy flickered around his shoulders like a restless cloak.“Get down.”Kaelian looked toward his father.“Catch me.”Before either parent could respond, he released the branch.Kael’s shadow shot forward.Kaelian disappeared a heartbeat before it reached him.The shadow closed around empty air.Kael muttered somethin