Chapter 508 - Children of Flesh and Shade (1)

The scent of warm stone and faint herbs still lingered as Lyan stood at the edge of the sanctuary, one hand resting on the cold curve of the door arch, the other brushing the worn leather of the grimoire at his belt. The chamber behind him was hushed but full—full of breaths, of slow heartbeats, of emotions too tangled to name. The Queen and her daughters sat in a small circle by the cracked altar, legs tucked under wool cloaks he had left earlier. Ara leaned forward, palms open to the gem-light like a girl trying to warm her fingers at a campfire. Kassia turned away, shoulders squared, spine rigid with pride that had nowhere left to aim. The Queen simply watched her daughters, lips moving in soundless prayer, eyes shining in the pale green glow.