The bloodstained scroll trembled in Nysera’s hands.
Bring the Queen… or he dies.
The words seemed to burn into her heart.
Around her, silence settled over the ruined palace courtyard. Even the wind had stopped, as though the kingdom itself was waiting for her decision.
Lady Selene’s voice shook.
“My Queen… it’s a trap.”
“It is,” Draven agreed. “Caelan wants you to come alone.”
The Shadow King folded his arms.
“And if you do, he’ll try to take the relics.”
Nysera looked at each of them.
“If I don’t go, Elder Cassian dies.”
No one argued.
Because they all knew she was right.
That evening, the royal council gathered in the war chamber.
A map of the kingdom lay spread across the table.
“The message was delivered by a shadow raven,” one general explained.
“It came from the Valle
