Chapter 50: A Dangerous Alliance
716 Words
The training ground was still covered in cracks.
Warriors stood around the damaged stone field, whispering among themselves as they stared at the glowing fractures left behind by Aria’s power.
No one had ever seen magic like that before.
Commander Roran knelt near one of the cracks and touched the stone carefully.
“It’s still warm,” he murmured.
Kael stood nearby with his arms crossed, watching Aria closely.
She looked both amazed and terrified.
“I didn’t mean to do that,” she said nervously.
Kael’s lips curved slightly.
“That was actually controlled compared to what happened on the battlefield.”
Aria groaned.
“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
Some of the warriors laughed quietly.
But Kael quickly raised his hand.
“Enough.”
The training ground fell silent again.
His golden eyes returned to Aria.
“We’re going to train every day.”
Aria sighed.
“I had a feeling you were going to say that.”
“You’ll need control,” Kael continued. “If the Devourer truly rises, raw power won’t be enough.”
Before she could answer, footsteps approached.
A palace guard rushed toward them, breathing heavily.
“Your Majesty!”
Kael turned.
“What is it?”
“The council is requesting your presence immediately.”
Kael frowned slightly.
“Why?”
The guard hesitated.
“They say… it concerns the Moon’s Chosen.”
All eyes turned to Aria again.
Kael nodded slowly.
“Prepare the council chamber.”
The guard bowed and hurried away.
Kael looked back at Aria.
“You’re coming with me.”
Her eyes widened.
“Me? Why?”
“Because they’ll want to see you.”
---
A short while later, the massive council chamber filled with tension.
Tall stone pillars surrounded the circular room, and the kingdom’s most powerful leaders sat around the large table.
Generals.
Advisors.
Elders.
And among them sat Darius.
He leaned back in his chair, watching the door with quiet amusement.
When Kael entered with Aria beside him, the room grew silent.
Elder Myra was the first to speak.
“The Moon’s Chosen has arrived.”
Aria shifted uncomfortably under their intense stares.
Kael remained calm.
“You called this meeting. Speak.”
One of the older council members stood.
“If the prophecy is real,” the man said carefully, “then the entire kingdom is now in danger.”
Aria’s stomach tightened.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“The Devourer will hunt her,” the councilman continued. “And when he does, our kingdom will become the battlefield.”
Another advisor nodded.
“Which means we must consider the safety of our people.”
The meaning behind those words slowly became clear.
Aria felt her chest tighten.
“You want me to leave.”
Silence filled the chamber.
No one denied it.
Before anyone could answer—
Kael slammed his hand against the table.
The loud sound echoed through the chamber.
“No.”
His voice was cold and absolute.
“She stays.”
The council members exchanged uneasy looks.
“But Your Majesty—”
“I will not abandon my mate to the Devourer,” Kael said sharply.
The room froze.
Many of the council members hadn’t realized the mate bond was confirmed.
Darius slowly smiled.
“Well… that certainly complicates things.”
Kael shot him a warning look.
But Darius only leaned forward slightly.
“Still,” he said calmly, “the council raises an interesting point.”
Aria’s eyes narrowed.
“What point?”
Darius’ gaze moved to her.
“If the Devourer comes for you…”
His smile grew darker.
“…how many of us will die protecting you?”
The question hung heavily in the air.
Aria didn’t know how to answer.
But before the discussion could continue—
A guard suddenly burst into the chamber.
“Your Majesty!”
Kael turned.
“What now?”
The guard looked pale.
“Scouts have returned from the northern forest.”
“And?”
“They report something massive moving toward the kingdom.”
The guard swallowed nervously.
“A creature unlike anything they’ve ever seen.”
The room fell into stunned silence.
Because deep down…
Everyone already knew the truth.
The Devourer had begun his hunt.
- Writer
