The word did not echo through the air.
It echoed through her blood.
“Ivy.”
She froze mid-step.
Around her, the kingdom was alive with movement warriors rebuilding broken gates, healers rushing between the wounded, elders whispering about the rise of the Blood Queen.
But none of them heard it.
Only her.
Rowan noticed instantly.
“What is it?” he asked quietly.
She didn’t answer.
Because it came again.
“Ivy.”
Not a whisper.
A voice.
Deep. Vast. Ancient.
And amused.
Her gaze shifted toward the glowing crimson sigil carved into the earth where the Shadow King had been sealed.
It pulsed once.
Softly.
The seal was intact.
This voice was not coming from him.
“It’s awake,” she said under her breath.
Rowan’s expression hardened.
“The thing beneath the earth.”
She nodded once.
