thickets and the streams that whispered o

s no long

lls. Hooded figures knelt in a circle, heads bowed. At the center, a stone altar was stained ane

ed in raven-black, opened his

ce," he said, voice like crac

f the kneeling men. "We s

alive for the alignment. And the boy...

s silenc

now, M

ystal on the altar. In it shimmered a fain

rted. The offering will b

the crystal

ill be n

Princess Liora aw

gasps, her heart ha

of the cold breath on her neck, of voices chanting words she

surrounded by

g off the sweat and fear.

l right, Yo

as tight. "Fetch Kael. I need

a bite of breakfast

rden, dressed in a lavender clo

for me?" he

itation. "I saw it again. The cave. The

of hair behind her ear. "It was just a d

always fiction. You heard the Seer. Something is com

fast-yet in that moment, he realized som

ly. More than gratitud

as l

terrifi

voice firm. "Even if it means

d his face. "Just... prom

romi

c met quietly with a cloaked strang

alive. The boy thrives. And now the

man lowere

"But the tides are turning. The girl i

yes narrow

ngers in her soul. She was the chosen vessel, af

back. "So you

red. "And when the time comes, even

d at her window again,

if they didn't know the sto

a faint hum. She pressed a hand

Of his laughter. His

o thought o

the

e palace, the wind whis

ve, the circl

l would b

... no one wo