The den screamed before they even stepped inside.
Not with sound—but with magic. All the guards exchanged glances before looking towards the den. They knew what was happening in the den and they didn't want to lose their lives for this magic but inside was the princess of this royal family. Their head stepped inside first and then the rest followed.
Ancient wards hissed as Prince Reagan’s elite guards forced their way through the forbidden threshold, silver-tipped weapons glowing faintly as they cut through layers of corrupted spells. The air was thick, metallic, heavy enough to choke.
Aria felt it like a knife sliding between her ribs.
“She’s close,” she whispered. “Too close.”
Dominic tightened his grip on her hand. Adrian stayed half a step behind her, ready to shield her body ev
