27: THE QUEEN’s CORE

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The moment hung heavy in the air, thick with unspoken questions. Zara narrowed her eyes at Alaric, her pulse quickening as his words replayed in her mind.

"A scroll?" Her voice was controlled, but beneath the surface, there was tension. "Who sent it?"

Alaric shook his head. "I don't know. It wasn't signed. The only thing written on it was, 'A scheme against the queen.'" His jaw clenched, frustration flickering in his dark eyes. "I left the moment I read it. And after digging deep, I can tell you, things aren't looking good, Lysandra."

Her stomach tightened.

Only she and Mirenna knew the truth. Her powers had been a secret all her life, hidden under layers of silence and caution. But now, someone else knew. Someone dangerous.

Why now? Who was behind this?

The weight of it pressed against her chest. If whispers of her abilities spread, the consequences would be catastrophic. Her people would not see her as their queen. They would see her as a tool. A means to an end.

If neighboring kingdoms learn of her powers, wars would start over her.

Assassins could be sent to kidnap her so another ruler could keep her as his personal healer, she had scanned all of the possibilities and none of it looked good, this scared her so terribly and for the first time, the bold and defiant Zara who lived inside the ancient old Queen Lysandra found herself faltering and was in need of someone who could save her.

She turned away, hands gripping the cool stone of the balcony. Below, Calithea stretched out beneath the moonlight, its streets glowing like veins of silver. Her kingdom. The one she was meant to rule.

Alaric stepped closer. "My queen, we need to act fast and you need to trust me."

"I'll never be able to TRU—!" She inhaled sharply, forcing calm into her voice. "…And how do you suggest we do that?"

Alaric hesitated, his fingers twitching at his side. He had no answer.

Zara exhaled. "I'll handle it."

His jaw tightened. "You don't have to do this alone."

She turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "I do."

Without waiting for his response, she walked away, leaving Alaric standing in the night, watching her disappear into the halls of the palace.

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Zara found Erythian in the palace gardens, standing beneath the moon's pale glow. The lanterns lining the stone pathways flickered, casting soft golden light across his features.

He turned when he heard her footsteps.

His gaze was unreadable.

"You knew," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Didn't you?"

Erythian didn't pretend to misunderstand. His blue eyes softened, yet he didn't move. "Yes."

Zara stepped closer, searching his face. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"

His lips parted, but for a moment, no words came. Then, quietly, he said, "Because I knew if you didn't tell me, there had to be a reason. And I respected that."

Her breath hitched.

"I watched you heal me, My queen." His voice was steady, but beneath it, there was something raw, something deep. "I knew what it cost you. And I knew you were keeping it hidden for a reason."

She swallowed. "A queen who barely has any vitality is unfit to rule. That's what they would say, wouldn't they?"

Erythian's jaw tightened. "Yes."

Zara looked away, fingers curling into the fabric of her dress. "Do you know why I don't use my powers?"

Erythian didn't answer.

She met his gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because it's killing me."

His entire body stiffened.

"My mother—" She exhaled sharply. "My mother could heal, too. And it drained her until there was nothing left. Every time I use my powers, I feel it take from me. And if the kingdom finds out… If they knew…"

She turned away, unable to meet his gaze. "I would no longer be their queen. I would be a tool. A living weapon. They would demand that I heal their sick, their dying, their wounded. I would never be free. And when I was too weak to serve them anymore—" She swallowed. "They would cast me aside like a broken relic."

Silence.

Then—

Warm fingers brushed against her arm, turning her gently back toward him.

Erythian's eyes burned with something fierce, something unshakable. "I don't care what power you have or don't have," he said. "It changes nothing on my end…I love you."

Her breath caught.

"I love you," he repeated, voice rough with emotion. "And I will protect you. If the world ever finds out, I will fight for you. I will stand between you and anyone who dares to take you from me."

Zara's chest ached.

She had never heard those words before—not like this. Not from someone who meant them so completely.

His hand came up, fingertips brushing against her cheek. "I would go to war for you, Lysandra." His voice was quiet, but the weight of his words sent shivers down her spine. "I would burn the world to keep you safe."

Something inside her shattered.

The walls she had built, the careful distance she had maintained, gone.

Zara didn't think. She didn't hesitate.

She closed the distance between them, her lips crashing into his.

Erythian responded instantly, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her against him. The kiss was desperate, burning with everything unspoken between them. His hands found her waist, pressing her closer, as if he could hold onto her forever.

Zara melted into him, her fingers tangling in his hair. The heat between them was intoxicating, drowning out everything else, the fears, the whispers, the looming threat of what was to come.

For this moment, there was only them.

When they finally pulled apart, Erythian rested his forehead against hers, his breath uneven.

"I will keep your secret," he promised. "I will protect you."

Zara closed her eyes, exhaling slowly.

"I know."

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Meanwhile, in an entirely different part of the kingdom, The room was dim, candlelight flickering against the stone walls. Shadows stretched long across the floor, creeping toward two figures cloaked in darkness.

One of them leaned forward. "It's true." His voice was low, rough with certainty. "I saw it with my own eyes. The queen has powers."

The second figure remained still. Then, after a long pause, she said, "Then we both have what we want from the queen", she hesitated " So what do we do next?"

The first figure finally moved again, lifting his head just enough for the candlelight to catch the edge of his hood. His voice was cold.

"War on Calithea. For the queen's core."