Todos los capítulos de Chains Of The Heart: Capítulo 171 - Capítulo 180

The music changed.The shift was subtle at first—a quickening of tempo, a brightening of tone. Then the strings lifted, the rhythm sharpened, and the slow, stately melody that had filled the hall for hours transformed into something faster. Something livelier. Something that made feet tap and shoulders sway.Lucian's head snapped toward the musicians. His eyes narrowed. He had not instructed them to change the tempo. Today was about appearances. About gathering the most powerful people in the kingdom under one roof and reminding them that the crown still held absolute power. The music was supposed to be elegant. Controlled. Dignified.Then he saw Rowan.He was standing beside the musicians, his hands gesturing animatedly, his face bright with enthusiasm. He was laughing—actually laughing—as he spoke to the lead violinist, who was nodding along, a smile spreading across his face. The other musicians were already adjusting their instruments, their postures shifting from formal to relaxe

Rowan walked toward Damian's study, his mind still turning over the conversation with his mother and brother. The west tower. The library. Damian's father's legacy. He needed to talk to Damian, needed to explain, needed to make sure that Damian understood—that he would not be upset.He reached the study in a haze. He opened the door and slipped inside.Damian and Lucian were seated at the desk, a half-finished letter spread before them. They were writing to Connor, finalizing his appointment as an advisor to both Kira and Aldric.The sight reminded Rowan of his earlier conversation with Sereia and Alistair."Have you thought about appointing anyone in Emery's place?" Rowan asked.Damian shook his head. "No. We only just appointed Kira and Aldric. And honestly, I do not even know who to appoint."Lucian continued, his voice measured. "Right now we have a few in mind, but to appoint just anyone will do more harm than good."Rowan nodded slowly, lowering himself into a chair. "That is tru

Damian and Nathan stayed a little while longer, watching Rowan direct the workers, watching the tower fall brick by brick, watching something new begin to take shape in the ruins.Then Rowan urged them to go."You have duties," he said. "The kingdom does not run itself."Nathan stepped closer, placing a soft kiss on Rowan's lips. "We will see you tonight."Rowan's grin softened. "Tonight."Nathan took Damian's hand and turned toward the castle.Damian looked at Nathan. Then he pointed at himself."What about me?"Nathan blinked. He looked at Damian, confused for a few seconds. Then he realized.He laughed. It was bright, surprised, genuine."You want a kiss too?"Damian's face was carefully neutral. "I did not say that.""You did not have to."Nathan stepped back toward him, rose on his toes, and pressed a kiss to Damian's lips. Soft. Slow. Sweet.When he pulled back, Damian's expression had softened."Better?" Nathan asked.Damian's lips curved. "Better."They walked back toward the

The night was a heavy thing.Especially for Damian.Sleep abandoned him. It always did. Peace had died with his father. Anger had been born when his mother was murdered. And now—now Rowan was targeted.The only ray of light in his life. The only thing that urged him to get up in the morning and move forward.Lucian had taken the fall meant for Rowan.The kingdom was already against Nathan. They had already killed almost all of his family. Now they were after Rowan too.And Lucian had almost died tonight.Damian tossed and turned on the bed. The sheets tangled around his legs. His breath came in short, uneven bursts.He turned toward Nathan. "I am sorry. I am keeping you awake."He turned toward Rowan. "I am sorry. Go back to sleep."He turned away again.He did not realize that they could not sleep either.They felt everything he was feeling.The bond—frayed, incomplete, but still there—carried his turmoil like a current. His fear. His grief. His rage. It bled into them, filled their

After leaving Lucian's room, Rowan and Nathan walked a little further.They did not know what to do next. Where to go next. Their steps were slow, unhurried, their minds still turning over everything that had been said.They stopped in front of a large arch.Beyond it, the castle courtyard opened up before them. The sun was climbing higher, casting long shadows across the cobblestones. Guards patrolled the walls. Servants hurried to and fro, carrying linens and trays and messages. The fountain in the center of the courtyard bubbled softly, its water sparkling in the light. Birds perched on the edges of the roof, chirping and fluttering.It was a beautiful day. Bright. Clear. Alive.And yet, neither of them felt it.Nathan spoke first. "He did not mean to yell at you. He was just stressed."Rowan was still looking outside. His silver eyes were distant, his expression unreadable."I know," he said. "I would have reacted much worse if I were in Damian's place." He paused. "But it still h