The fortress walls bore the scorch marks of the elemental beast's attack, and though the fires had been extinguished, the aftermath lingered in the air like smoke on skin. Aria stood in the war room, flanked by Nyla and Raekon. Her hair was tied back, her armor scorched, but her eyes—those storm-bright silver eyes—were fierce and resolute.
Kael entered with a thunderous stride, followed closely by Karis. The former lovers hadn't said much, but their presence alone created tension thick enough to choke on.
Raekon cleared his throat. "The creature was a harbinger. A scout of a forgotten realm—one tied to the Veil Between Worlds."
Lyra raised a brow. "Meaning what, exactly?"
"Meaning it wasn't sent by the Whisperer or Celene," Raekon replied grimly. "It was summoned by ancient magic. The kind buried for centuries. And it was drawn to Aria."
All eyes turned to her. Aria's hands curled into fists.
Karis smiled faintly. "And here I thought she was just a cursed orphan with a gift for theatrics."
Nyla growled. "Say that again, and I'll gut you with my bare hands."
Kael slammed his hand on the table. "Enough."
His voice silenced the room. He looked at Aria, something unreadable in his gaze.
But Aria was no longer waiting for his lead.
"There's something I need to show you all," she said.
---
In the hidden chamber beneath the eastern tower, Aria removed her cloak and turned her back to the group. Raekon stepped forward and carefully traced the faint glowing mark on her spine.
"This is a lunar sigil," he said softly. "A royal blood-seal. It hasn't been seen in over a thousand years."
Kael's brows furrowed. "What does it mean?"
Raekon looked up at Aria. "She's not just part of the Moonborn bloodline. She's its anchor. The last direct descendant of the First Shifter Queen."
Gasps echoed in the chamber.
Lyra stepped back. "So... she's the heir?"
Aria nodded slowly. "I didn't know until the vision came. My mother protected me—sealed my blood to hide me. But now that seal is weakening."
Raekon added, "Which means others will sense her. Including the Whisperer."
Kael's jaw clenched. "Then we move her somewhere safe."
But Aria turned on him. "No. I won't be hidden away like some porcelain doll. This war is about me, and I'm not running from it."
Karis folded her arms, amused. "Brave. Foolish, but brave."
---
Later that night, Nyla and Raekon met in secret.
"She's changing fast," Nyla said. "That blast she used earlier? It wasn't just fire or frost. It was... both."
Raekon nodded. "Dual affinity. That's rare—even among Royals. But there's something else. I found an entry in an ancient volume about the Lunar Anchor."
He opened a dusty grimoire and pointed to a passage:
"When the Anchor awakens, so shall the Shadow Mirror. And one bonded by love shall fall by betrayal's blade."
Nyla frowned. "That's not good."
Raekon's expression was grave. "No. It's not."
---
Elsewhere in the fortress, Karis walked silently through the halls. She passed by the strategy chamber, where Kael stood alone, arms braced on the map table.
She entered without knocking.
"Still brooding?" she asked.
Kael didn't look at her. "What do you want, Karis?"
She moved closer. "You, Kael. Just like always. Aria's pretty, dangerous, and shiny because she's new. But you and I—we built something real."
He turned to face her, eyes dark. "You abandoned me for power."
Karis stepped close, running a finger down his chest. "And now I want power with you. Not against you."
Kael pushed her hand away. "It's too late."
Karis leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. "Then I'll just have to remind you what you're giving up."
She left the chamber with a smirk—and didn't notice the shadowy figure watching from the corridor corner.
Lyra.
---
The next day, Kael joined Aria in the ancient library. She was poring over runes with Raekon, eyes narrowed in concentration.
He approached cautiously. "Aria."
She looked up, face unreadable.
"I need to explain about Karis."
She closed the book. "You don't owe me an explanation."
Kael stepped closer. "Maybe not. But I want you to know—she was part of a past I thought I'd buried. You're not a replacement, Aria. You're... more than I ever expected."
Aria searched his eyes, her magic curling protectively around her heart.
"Then prove it," she said.
"How?"
She leaned in. "Choose. Me. Out loud. In front of everyone."
Kael hesitated for half a heartbeat.
And that was enough.
Aria stepped back. "I see."
She turned and walked away, her heart twisting as hard as her stomach.
---
That night, Lyra burst into Aria's room. "We have a problem. Karis was seen sneaking into the eastern tower with a marked scroll."
Aria's eyes narrowed. "Take me there. Now."
They arrived just as Karis finished the incantation. A glowing portal pulsed before her, and in its reflection, a shadowed figure appeared—Celene.
"I have the Anchor," Karis whispered. "She's unstable. Vulnerable. I can bring her to you."
Aria stepped into the light, magic surging in her palms. "Try it."
Karis froze.
Lyra launched a dagger—pinning the scroll to the stone wall.
Kael arrived moments later, flanked by guards. His expression was thunderous.
"You betrayed us."
Karis's smile vanished. She turned to Kael, desperation flashing in her eyes. "I did it for you! We could've ruled—"
"Take her to the dungeon," Kael ordered coldly.
As the guards dragged her away, Karis screamed, "You'll regret this! You don't know what she really is!"
Kael looked at Aria.
Aria didn't say a word.
---
Back in the chamber, Raekon stepped forward with news. "The Whisperer moved his forces. Celene has crossed into our territory. And Aria's awakening will accelerate everything."
Kael approached her, kneeling.
"I was a coward before. But not anymore. I choose you, Aria. Not because of fate. Because you are my fate."
Aria looked down at him. "Then stand with me. We rise or fall together."
---