Tobi’s POV
The vault door hissed open after Father’s final scan, revealing a corridor carved straight into the mountain rock beneath the palace. The cool air inside always carried a slight metallic tang—like blood and old power. Only two guards stood post here, statues in wolf form, their amber eyes flicking once toward us before returning forward.
“We’ll leave you to it,” Father said, passing the key into my hand. He nodded to the guards before turning away. “Congratulations, son.”
Catherine was beaming, already hugging Lila tight. “You’ll make a beautiful bride,” she whispered, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. Then she was gone too.
The door sealed behind us.
Lila stood frozen for a moment, taking in the space—thousands of years of history locked into display cases and velvet-dr
