Moon String

Released

Chapter Twelve: Released

Lyra's POV

The dungeon doors groaned open.

Two guards stepped inside, their boots striking the cold stone floor with practiced precision.

"Right this way "he said, gesturing towards the door "

I blinked.

"...I'm sorry, what?"

The older guard pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You heard me."

"I just wanted to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. Dungeon air isn't exactly healthy."

"You've been released."

I slowly looked around the filthy cell.

"Hmm."

"What?"

"I was just starting to decorate."

Liora sighed beside me.

"Lyra..."

"What? I was thinking of naming that rat Gerald."

Almost on cue, a fat gray rat darted across the floor.

"There goes Gerald."

A younger guard let out a laugh before quickly disguising it as a cough.

The older guard shot him a warning glare.

"Enough. Move."

I stood and dusted off my clothes with exaggerated elegance.

"My apologies. I didn't realize checking out of prison came with such terrible customer service."

Liora shook her head, trying very hard not to smile.

The iron door slammed shut behind us.

Its echo lingered through the corridors.

Freedom.

Or at least... something pretending to be it.

The guards led us through endless hallways until the damp smell of the dungeon disappeared, replaced by polished marble, cedarwood, and fresh flowers.

My eyes widened despite myself.

The Lycan Palace was breathtaking.

Towering silver pillars stretched toward a ceiling painted with wolves racing beneath an enormous moon. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead while crimson banners bearing the royal crest hung proudly from every wall.

I looked around slowly.

"So this is where everyone's taxes goes"

Liora elbowed my ribs.

"Must you comment on everything?"

"If I stop talking, I'll start panicking."

Her expression softened.

"I know."

At the end of the hallway stood the reason my life had become one giant disaster.

King Vaelric.

Tall.

Imposing.

Annoyingly handsome.

His black cloak draped over broad shoulders, and those crimson eyes settled on me with the same unreadable expression as before.

I folded my arms.

"So... now what?"

For the briefest second, his gaze lingered on my face before his expression turned cold once more.

"You will be given temporary quarters."

I blinked.

"Wait..."

He remained silent.

"You mean... actual rooms?"

"Do not mistake this for kindness."

"I wasn't planning to."

I tilted my head thoughtfully.

"So..."

His eyebrow lifted.

"This is guilt?"

His jaw tightened.

"It is empathy."

A grin spread across my face.

"I knew there had to be a heart buried somewhere underneath all that glaring."

Silence.

The dangerous kind.

Even the guards suddenly found the floor fascinating.

Vaelric took one slow step toward me.

Every instinct screamed that I should probably stop talking.

Naturally...

I ignored it.

"Do not mistake this for weakness."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"You will obey every rule within these walls."

I opened my mouth.

"You will not wander through the palace."

I closed it again.

"You will not interfere in my affairs."

I raised one finger.

"I have one tiny question."

"You will not test my patience."

I lowered my hand.

"...That answered it."

One of the younger guards failed to hide another smile.

Vaelric looked at him.

The poor man immediately straightened so fast I thought his spine might snap.

His attention returned to me.

"And do not believe for one second that you have any authority here."

His voice dropped lower.

Sharper.

"You are merely just a rogue"

Nothing more.

For a heartbeat...

Something inside me quietly cracked.

Not enough for anyone else to notice.

Just enough for me.

But if there was one thing I'd learned growing up...

It was how to smile when life handed me disappointment.

So I did.

I don't know why I felt so bad hearing him say that. I mean I just meant him recently.

"Well..."

I shrugged.

"I've been called worse"

Without waiting for permission, I brushed past him and left.

---

Vaelric remained standing exactly where he was.

She is leaving.

Leo's deep voice rumbled inside his mind.

Good.

Go after her.

No.

She is our mate.

That changes nothing.

You're lying to yourself.

Vaelric clenched his jaw.

Silence.

Leo only laughed.

A low, amused sound that echoed through his mind.

---

The guards eventually stopped outside a pair of enormous wooden doors.

"This will be your room," one of them announced. "His Majesty ordered that both of you remain here."

I stared at the door.

"So..."

The guard frowned.

"So?"

"No palace tour?"

"I'm afraid the King..."

"That's enough I already knew you'd say that"I cut in

I waved dramatically.

"I already know the rest."

"'The King forbids this.' 'The King forbids that.' Honestly, does the man forbid smiling too?"

The guard wisely chose not to answer.

Liora gently grabbed my wrist.

"Come on."

She pulled me inside before I could earn us another trip to the dungeon.

"Lyra, let's check the room out"she said"I still can't believe the king let us go just like that "

"He was afraid of me, that's why "I said flexing my imaginary muscles.

Liora burst into laughter."you're so delusional "she says as she pulled me in for a big hug.

The room was...

Beautiful.

Sunlight poured through massive windows draped with silver curtains. A roaring fireplace warmed one corner while shelves lined with books decorated another. The bed looked soft enough to swallow an entire person.

I immediately bounced onto it.

"...I'm never leaving."

Liora laughed.

"I thought you wanted to escape."

"I do."

I stretched across the mattress.

"But if they arrest me again, I hope they put me in this prison."

She rolled her eyes before wandering toward the wardrobe.

Her eyes widened.

"Lyra..."

"What?"

"There are clothes in here."

I sat up.

"...For us?"

She nodded.

"Different sizes too."

I walked over and peeked inside.

Silk dresses.

Simple gowns.

Warm cloaks.

Even underwear.

That was surprising our right sizes, I don't even want to think about how he got that.

I blinked.

"He's surprisingly thoughtful for someone who permanently looks like he looks like a monster"

Liora smiled softly.

"Maybe he's not as cruel as everyone says."

"Or maybe he doesn't want two rogues wandering around his palace looking homeless"

She laughed again.

She suddenly stepped closer before wrapping her arms around me.

"I still can't believe we're together again."

My smile faded.

Neither could I.

For years...

I'd believed she was dead.

Gone forever.

Slowly, I hugged her back.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too."

For a long moment...

Neither of us spoke.

Sometimes silence says everything words can't.

Eventually, Liora pulled away and smiled.

"I'm going to take a bath."

"Good idea."

She pointed a finger at me.

"And don't cause trouble while I'm gone."

I gasped dramatically.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"I am deeply offended."

"You'll survive."

"I might not."

She laughed all the way into the bathing room.

I smiled to myself.

It felt nice hearing her laugh again.

---

About half an hour later, we had both changed into fresh clothes.

Liora sat near the window reading one of the books she'd found.

Meanwhile...

I was busy doing absolutely nothing.

I groaned loudly.

"I'm bored , come with me let's go have fun, let's explore and have fun"I said to liora

She didn't even look up.

"You mean come with me to go get into trouble"she chuckled "sorry but I'm not interested.I prefer being indoors all day"

"I think I'm dying"

"You're dramatic."

"I prefer the word interesting."

"No."

"Charming?"

"No."

"Beautiful?"

She finally looked at me.

"...Annoying."

I placed a hand over my heart.

"You insult me "I joked

A knock interrupted our argument.

Liora looked toward the door.

"Come in."

The door opened.

Several servants entered, each carrying silver trays covered with steaming dishes.

The delicious aroma filled the room almost instantly.

Roasted meat.

Fresh bread.

Rich soup.

Sweet fruit.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head.

"...Are they feeding us..."

I counted the trays.

"...or preparing us for our final meal?"

One nervous maid bowed.

"His Majesty ordered that lunch be prepared for you."

I looked from the food...

To the maid...

Then back to the mountain of food.

"Does the King think we're secretly raising an army in here?"

The poor maid looked terrified.

"We... we simply followed his orders."

Liora smiled kindly.

"Thank you."

The servants placed everything neatly on the table before hurrying out as though remaining another second might cost them their jobs.

The moment the door shut...

I looked at Liora.

"...Well."

She picked up a spoon.

"We can't let it go to waste."

"Now I have to proponed exploring the kingdom"I sighed

"Well then ..dig in"She grabbed a spoon and began eating from one of the trays

"Might as well join you "

I grabbed a plate.

Maybe the Lycan King wasn't completely heartless.

Still painfully irritating.

But perhaps...

Only eighty percent heartless.