"A throne isn’t given. It’s seized, tested, and sometimes, bled for."
The ruins loomed before us, jagged stones jutting out like the broken teeth of a beast long forgotten. The entrance to the temple was a dark archway, framed by symbols older than the kingdom itself.
Kieran shifted beside me, adjusting his sword belt. "Tell me again why we’re doing this?"
I kept my eyes on the temple. "Because if I want to rule, I need something undeniable. Something that forces Verauno to accept me."
He let out a slow breath. "And you think some mythical blade buried in a cursed temple is the answer?"
I smirked. "You have a better idea?"
Kieran sighed. "You know I don’t."
"Then let’s get moving."
"Right into the probably-deadly trials?"
I grinned. "Exactly."
Kieran muttered something about my t
