Labyrinth: Coronation Novels & Stories

Then he vanishes again. When he comes back, it’s with a ring this time, one the size of his head. Its property is unknown, but it shimmers with lights that seem alive, looking like a colorful snake slithers inside it. The object could break if it falls; that is how fragile it looks. The Realm’s Future, they call it. It is also the only thing with color in the Labyrinth, aside from the Umbra Crown’s golden eyes that are now peering at my face pores.

"In your dreams!" He stood, hoisted me onto a chair, and forced my head down toward the floor. Upside down like that, the blood in my stomach rushed straight up into my throat. Within seconds, a thick layer of bloody froth flooded my airway. My eyes widened in panic, and I could barely breathe, let alone cry for help. Eddie finally smiled in satisfaction. "Don't waste your strength, Victor. No one out there is going to remember you're here." With that, he turned and walked out, locking the storage cabin door behind him.

I nodded slowly, trying to memorize every word. "The second day is the Trial of the Labyrinth," Earth continued, her voice dropping lower. "It is a massive underground stone maze beneath the pack. It is filled with deadly traps and silver-tipped spikes. But the real danger isn't the maze itself, Tamara. It's the other contenders. In the labyrinth, there are no rules. Attacks from behind are expected." "And the final day?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

She didn't knock. Luna emerged from the dressing room, already changed into her coronation robes. A plain, dark grey gown, sleeves rolled up to just above her wrists, exposing the old chilblain scar on the web of her hand. She walked over and looked at each of their faces, one by one. Including the new fifteen-year-old girl, whose fingers still bore unhealed chilblains. The girl clutched a half-finished, botched handkerchief in her hands, head lowered, too afraid to look at her.

The sound startled her—how rare laughter had been in her life. Together, they followed Caspian into the grand hall. The ceremonial space had been transformed: wolf banners draped from the rafters, silver and crimson carpets unfurled across the marble floors, and the throne dais lined with fresh roses. Here, tomorrow, she would kneel to accept the Luna crown, and rise as Gabriel’s mate before the entire kingdom.

‘You’re cordially invited to the coronation ceremony of His Majesty Cassian Vale, and his Luna, Lysandra Orion…’ My heart drops. I can’t read it anymore.

Designers debated ceremonial robes. Conrad heard none of it. All he could see was Nadia. Standing near the conference windows, watching him sadly. Raven whimpered softly. She should be here beside us. One elder continued excitedly, “The Luna’s coronation should happen immediately after the vows.” Conrad’s jaw tightened at the word Luna. Hearing Danielle connected to that title irritated him beyond reason. Hallucination Nadia crossed her arms. “You hate this don’t you.” Conrad stared at her silently.

He took the weight of my robe without flinching, guiding me the last few steps. The press of his palm against mine steadied the quiver in my bones. "You look absolutely breathtaking, my queen," he whispered. I tilted my head, lips curving despite the storm around us. "You're not so bad yourself, my king," I teased back. The herald's voice rang out, interrupting the moment. "By decree of the Lycan Council and the will of the united realms, we gather to witness the coronation of Narine, Luna of the Khragnir Court, sovereign queen and guardian of the pact." A low murmur rippled through the assembly, then silence fell again.

The coronation took place under the new moon. Traditional, the elders said. A new moon for a new reign. A fresh start for the North. Lyra stood in a tent surrounded by attendants who fussed over her dress. Deep silver silk that caught the firelight and a crown of twisted metal and moonstone waited on a velvet cushion. "You look like a queen," Clara said softly. The servant had stayed loyal through everything and now served as Lyra's personal attendant. "I feel like I'm about to throw up."

Right then, the banquet hall doors flew open with a bang. Lena strutted in, decked out in a stunning gown, flanked by her bodyguards. "Nolan!" she called out, her voice dripping with sweetness. "I heard someone was giving you trouble..." Her words trailed off as she caught sight of William next to me, the broken glass, and the gunmen in black sprawled on the floor. Lena's expression flipped in an instant.