Chapter Five: The Prince's Secret
1053 Words
The palace was under attack.
Not from soldiers.
From within.
Black cracks spread across the marble floor as something beneath the palace continued to wake.
“Move!” Kael shouted.
He pulled Lyra through the corridor as alarms echoed through the palace.
Servants ran in every direction.
Guards rushed toward the eastern wing.
Somewhere in the distance, glass shattered.
Lyra struggled to keep up.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“You keep saying that, but everywhere in this palace seems determined to kill me.”
Kael glanced back.
“Then stay close to me.”
“I am close.”
“Closer.”
Lyra frowned.
Before she could respond, another tremor shook the corridor.
She lost her balance.
Kael caught her around the waist.
For a moment, they stood dangerously close.
His hand remained firmly against her waist.
Her fingers rested against his chest.
Neither moved.
His eyes dropped briefly to her lips.
Lyra noticed.
Her heart skipped.
Kael immediately looked away.
“We should keep moving.”
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
“Were you just staring at my lips?”
“No.”
“You were.”
“I wasn't.”
“You're a terrible liar, Prince.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“And you're extremely distracting.”
Lyra's cheeks warmed.
Before she could answer, a loud explosion came from behind them.
Kael's expression instantly changed.
“Run.”
They reached a large wooden door.
Kael opened it and pulled Lyra inside.
The door slammed shut.
They were in his private chambers.
Lyra looked around.
The room was surprisingly simple for a prince.
A large bed stood near the window.
Books covered an enormous desk.
Weapons hung along the walls.
And above the fireplace was a portrait.
Lyra stepped closer.
It showed a young Kael standing beside an older man.
“Your father?”
Kael nodded.
“He was King.”
Lyra studied the painting.
“He looks kind.”
“He was.”
Kael's voice became quiet.
“Until he discovered what the royal family had done.”
Lyra turned toward him.
“What did they do?”
Kael didn't answer.
“Kael.”
He looked at her.
“You want the truth?”
“Yes.”
“My father discovered that the Moonborn wasn't destroyed.”
Lyra's heart stopped.
“He knew?”
“He knew your mother escaped with you.”
“Then why didn't he find me?”
“Because he helped her hide you.”
Lyra stared at him.
“Your father protected me?”
“Yes.”
“Then who killed him?”
Kael's jaw tightened.
“The same person who is trying to awaken the darkness.”
Lyra stepped closer.
“The man in black.”
Kael nodded.
“But there's something else.”
“What?”
Kael looked toward the door.
Then back at her.
“He isn't working alone.”
A cold feeling settled in Lyra's stomach.
“Who is helping him?”
Kael's eyes met hers.
“Someone inside this palace.”
Suddenly, there was a knock.
Three slow knocks.
Kael immediately reached for his sword.
“Stay here.”
He opened the door slightly.
No one was there.
Only a small black envelope lay on the floor.
Kael picked it up.
The moment he touched it, the paper burned away.
Words appeared across his palm.
Midnight. The old throne room. Come alone, Moonborn.
Lyra stared.
“What does it say?”
Kael closed his hand.
“Nothing important.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“You're lying again.”
“Lyra—”
“You promised me the truth.”
Kael sighed.
“Someone wants to meet you.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“Then we're going together.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because whoever sent this knows exactly where you are.”
He stepped closer.
“They're dangerous.”
“So are you.”
Kael smiled faintly.
“You have no idea.”
The room suddenly felt smaller.
Lyra looked into his eyes.
“What exactly are you?”
Kael didn't answer.
Instead, he reached toward her hand.
His fingers closed around the silver mark.
The moment he touched it, both of them gasped.
A surge of magic rushed through them.
Lyra saw a vision.
Kael standing beneath a blood-red moon.
His eyes glowing silver.
His hand holding hers.
And a crown resting on both their heads.
Then the vision changed.
Kael was kneeling before her.
Blood covered his shirt.
And Lyra was screaming his name.
She pulled her hand away.
“What was that?”
Kael looked shaken.
“I don't know.”
“You saw it too.”
“Yes.”
“What does it mean?”
He stared at her.
“I think our magic is connected.”
Lyra's heart pounded.
“How?”
Kael stepped closer.
“I don't know.”
His voice dropped.
“But whatever happens next…”
He gently lifted her chin.
“…you stay beside me.”
Lyra swallowed.
“Is that an order, Your Highness?”
His eyes darkened with amusement.
“No.”
He leaned closer.
“It's a warning.”
A loud bell suddenly rang throughout the palace.
Midnight.
Kael released her.
His expression became serious.
“The throne room.”
Lyra looked toward the door.
“I'm coming with you.”
Kael shook his head.
“No.”
“You're not going alone.”
“Lyra—”
She stepped closer.
“You said I was the last Moonborn.”
“Yes.”
“Then whoever is waiting for me is already coming for me.”
She held his gaze.
“So I might as well meet them.”
For several seconds, Kael said nothing.
Then he smiled.
“That stubbornness is going to get you killed.”
“Maybe.”
Lyra reached for his hand.
“But you'll be there to stop it.”
Kael stared at their joined hands.
Something softened in his eyes.
“Always.”
Neither of them noticed the shadow moving behind the bedroom window.
A pair of black eyes watched them.
And a whisper drifted through the darkness.
“Let them fall in love.”
The shadow smiled.
“It will make breaking them so much easier.”
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