Chapter4
1141 Words
“Perhaps the princess’s perfume,” Eldrin said smoothly.
When they entered the council chamber, Lyra saw Eldrin mouthing words she alone could read:
Be careful, Princess. Certain games have fatal stakes.
Night fell. Lyra walked back and forth in her room, excitement and apprehension clashing inside her.
“Thoughts keep shouting in my across the realms.
Azrael leaned against the window, moonlight pouring over him.
“Beta Selene could feel something,” Lyra said. “She knew it was different,”
“Our bond is starting to change you. And now a trace of me is in your essence.”
"What are you doing to me?"
“Nothing that you haven’t invited.” He extended his hand. “Allow me to show you what’s in store.”
She placed her hand in his.
His touch reverberated through her system. The world dissolved into a swirl of mist.
They stood before enormous walls of living light, rippling with impossible colors.
"Where are we?"
"Between worlds. A place where I can show you true things.”
In front of them, light gathered into a picture — Lyra took form, her clothes and the dark masses of her hair wrought in clothes that let the light bend thick with power, commanding nature like a force of nature.
"What am I seeing?"
"Your potential. Your kind have lost the old magic coursing through blue blood. I can awaken it."
“Why would you do this to me?”
“Because creatures like us know one another.” His eyes, just a galaxy, gazed into hers. “In all my life I have never met a mortal who could become as great as you.”
"You offer me power. Freedom from Carlus. What else?"
"Everything." His lips claimed hers.
Behind her eyes, the universe exploded. Visions cascaded in her mind: stars being born and dying, magic coursing through the veins of reality.
When he let her go, she stumbled. "Show me everything."
What came next was beyond physical experience. With each brush of his hand, the magic within her woke. She was metamorphosing into something neither entirely human nor entirely other.
When she regained consciousness, she lay in his arms, her body filled with new power.
"What happens now?" she whispered.
“You go back to your world, wearing the mask of Princess Lyra a little longer.”
"And then?"
“We re-create both our worlds, together.
Lyra sensed something surging in her womb. Her hand flew to her abdomen.
Azrael laid his hand over hers. Our union, hath fruit already borne! Such a child of two worlds, bearer of powers, none of neither world have seen.')
Fear and awe warred inside her. "How is that possible?"
“Time flows differently between planes. Our child grows within you. An underworld heir with the power to connect worlds.’
“My father — Carlus — they’ll know —”
"Let them know. Show them what real strength looks like. You're mine now, Lyra. And I protect what's mine."
And as the chamber came apart, Lyra knew she would not be going back to the life she had planned.
She bore not only awakened power, but a child of forbidden union—a creature neither entirely mortal, nor other.
Dawn broke. She put a protective hand over her stomach.
“I will protect you,” she said in a whisper. "Whatever the cost."
A knock startled her.
"Princess?" Lord Eldrin's voice. “Your father needs you.” Immediately."
Eldrin looked at her stomach as she opened the door and back to her face. There was knowledge in those eyes that no mortal should have.
“Watch with whom you trade, Princess. Some debts can never be paid.”
Power stirred in Lyra’s veins. “I’m not afraid anymore, Lord Eldrin.”
"Then you should be." His voice dropped. “Ancient forces, older than Azrael himself, have stirred awake. They know what is growing in you—and they’re coming.”
He pointed down the corridor, and Lyra moved forward into a future suddenly poised on a knife’s edge.
Two worlds. One forbidden child. And ancient foes are now lurking in the shadows.
The roar of King Theron broke the stillness. Guards flinched. Servants fled.
"WHAT?" His fist crashed down on the throne, splintering ancient marble. Two long strides had him looming over Lyra, spittle flying from his lips.
She held her ground even though her pulse raced. "I am with child." There was power humming under her skin, alien and yet known. "And it stays."
The king’s voice fell to a lethal whisper. "You've doomed us all."
“I changed everything,” she countered, a strange confidence filling her veins.
The royal physician cowered by the door, as he had moments earlier delivered the confirmation. His gaze zipped back and forth between them, looking for a way out.
"Who?" Theron seized her wrist. "Which miserable—"
A crackle of blue energy crackled between them. The king pulled back, nursing burned fingers.
“No one you could punish,” said Lyra, one hand hovering protectively around her abdomen.
The doors burst open. Lord Eldrin appeared, white-faced. “Your Majesty—delegation from the Silver Veil. They're here. It is Alpha Carlus himself who guides them.
"Impossible." Blood went out of Theron's face. "They weren't due until—"
“They’re already in the castle. Minutes away."
“Then end this now,” Theron hissed, his eyes trained on Lyra’s belly. "Bring the physician back—"
"I wouldn't."
The voice came from nowhere. Everywhere.
Air shimmered, condensed. Azrael appeared in the space between them, more corporeal than Lyra had ever seen him. The pressure in the room increased double, squeezing lungs, halting hearts.
"Guards!" Theron choked.
They didn't move. Couldn't move.
Azrael's silver eyes glinted. “The baby she is carrying is mine. It lives."
“Demon,” Theron spat, scrambling for his ceremonial sword.
"Close enough." Azrael stepped into Lyra, energy flickering between them. “The child bridges realms — first of its kind.”
The front doors blew inward.
Alpha Carlus looming in the door, massive frame dwarfing his entourage. The Beta Selene flanked him, nostrils flared. The scornful brown eyes swept the room, until they landed on the otherworldly creature next to Lyra.
“Magic,” Carlus growled, tasting the air. "Old magic."
Selene circled right. “And that smell again, but stronger now.”
Reality seemed to warp around them — too many powers collapsing into a single territory.
"Alpha Carlus." Azrael tilted his head, the gesture of respect one Lyra had never before seen him extend. “Your reputation even reaches to my domain.”
"As does yours." Carlus moved on past the king, completely disregarding him. “What concern does a Void entity have with my betrothed?”
"She carries my child."
- Writer
