Calen exhaled sharply, steadying himself before finally releasing Elara. The warmth of his embrace disappeared as he swiftly stood, putting a careful distance between them. His eyes flickered over her, as if making sure she was truly unharmed, before he placed his fist over his chest in a crisp, disciplined salute."I’m relieved that Your Majesty is unharmed."His voice was even—calm, composed. As if nothing had happened. As if she hadn’t been trapped beneath him, lost in his gaze, breathless from something more than just the fire.Elara swallowed hard, struggling to regain her own composure. She was Queen Elara Wynn. She did not falter. She did not waver. But the rapid beating of her heart betrayed her.Before she could gather her thoughts, the thundering sound of footsteps echoed through the night.Torches bobbed in the darkness as her royal guards rushed into the clearing, swords drawn, eyes scanning for threats. Shout

Queen Elara sat by the window of her chamber, the silver moonlight fading as the first hints of dawn painted the horizon. She had barely slept. No matter how much she tried to push the thoughts away, they returned with relentless persistence. Calen Storm.Her fingers tapped lightly on the wooden surface of the table. She should have been focused on The Sacred River, on strengthening it so Vynoria could stand against Aerondale. Yet, her failure last night gnawed at her. The river had rejected her efforts. Had she miscalculated the ritual? Or had her own wavering resolve weakened its effect?Her gaze flickered to her reflection in the polished metal mirror across the room. She looked the same—proud, composed, the Queen of Vynoria. But she felt different.Calen had saved her life. Twice.She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temple. It shouldn’t have mattered. He was still an enemy. A threat to her kingdom. His presence in Rivermoore was a danger, his all

The night was cloaked in heavy silence, broken only by the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Under the cover of darkness, Queen Elara moved swiftly through the hidden corridors of the palace, her robes flowing like shadows in the dim torchlight. Behind her, the priestesses followed, their hoods drawn, their steps silent.They emerged at the towering stone wall—an unassuming barrier that concealed the most sacred place in Vynoria. No ordinary person would ever know of the hidden door built seamlessly into its structure.Elara placed her palm against the cold stone, whispering the ancient words of passage. A faint glow pulsed beneath her hand before the wall groaned softly, shifting inward just enough for them to slip through.“Hurry,” she instructed in a hushed voice.One by one, the priestesses stepped inside, and the moment the last one entered, Elara pulled the door shut behind them, sealing the entrance. The world outside disappeared.<

Calen remained hidden in the shadows, his sharp eyes fixed on the stone doorway built into the palace wall. One by one, the priestesses emerged from within, their hoods drawn low over their faces, their expressions grim. Their movements were hurried, almost anxious, as if burdened by something that had just transpired inside.But Queen Elara was not among them.Calen's brows furrowed. What had happened in there? Why was the queen still inside?He stayed rooted to his spot, waiting, watching. Minutes dragged on like hours, the night stretching into silence except for the occasional roll of distant thunder. And then, finally, the door creaked open again.Elara stepped out.Even from a distance, Calen could see that something was wrong. Her posture, usually so poised and commanding, was frail. Her steps were unsteady, and as she passed under the dim glow of a nearby lantern, he caught sight of her face.Tear-streaked. Eyes swollen a

Calen Storm stood tall in the dimly lit chamber, his piercing gaze shifting between his two trusted captains—Aldric and Edric. Their expressions were serious, awaiting his command.“If the queen continues to stall, we must push her,” Calen stated firmly, his voice low yet filled with authority. “We cannot allow her to buy more time. Keep your eyes open and your ears sharp. Observe everything—her movements, the council’s meetings, anything unusual.”Aldric and Edric exchanged brief nods before responding in unison. “Understood, General.”Calen studied them for a moment, then dismissed them with a wave of his hand. He trusted their skills—Aldric was resourceful, and Edric had an eye for the smallest details. If there was any information to uncover, they would find it.When they left, Calen exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his dark hair. He walked toward his bed, unfastening the belt that held his weapons before sitting down on the edge of the mattress. His mind churned, trying to p