Chapter 44- The Bones Stir

Inside the crumbling soul space of Lorelei the Bone Seer, something ancient stirred.

The Forgotten King no longer wore a crown, but he watched from behind her eyes. Watched as she laughed. As she raised her arms to command. As she believed herself the new queen of darkness.

Fool.

A tendril of shadow, barely noticeable, wrapped itself tight around her soul. A seed of his essence, planted in her when she knelt gloating over his body.

I thought you were untouchable, she had growled, triumph in her voice. Turns out you're nothing but dirt under my feet.

And he had smiled. Just slightly.

Now he lay in wait.

A sliver of consciousness tucked deep within the marrow of her power. She had no idea he was there. No idea he watched every word, every plan, every spell she cast.

Sooner or later, the cracks would widen. Her mind would tire. Her will would falter.

And he would rise again. Through her.

Let her think she won, he thought. Let her play Queen. Until the King takes his throne once more.

POV Reyna, Oracle of the Realms

Reyna gasped and dropped her scrying crystal, the vision scorching behind her eyes like fire.

Nythera's voice rang like a bell in her skull.

The Forgotten King is no more. A new Bone Queen has risen. Beware.

Her breath hitched as Torvax caught her, steadying her trembling form.

"Reyna? What is it?"

She turned to him, wide eyed and pale. "He's not the threat anymore. She is. Lorelei. She's… changed. Or worse. And we have to tell Rhiannan now."

She gripped her mate's arm tightly, knowing the fate of the kingdom had just twisted once again.

Reyna didn't wait. Still pale and shaking, she bolted from her chambers, nearly tripping over her own robes as she rushed through the castle corridors. Her breath came in sharp gasps, the echo of Nythera's words still ringing in her ears.

She found Rhiannan in the royal garden, tucked into a shaded alcove and snacking on sugared grapes while Azarion rubbed her feet.

"You look like hell," Rhiannan said, sitting up straighter.

Reyna didn't mince words. "Lorelei. The King. He's not dead. Not fully. He left a piece of himself inside her. He's watching through her eyes. He's planning something. Nythera says to beware."

Rhiannan froze, her hands going to her swollen belly protectively.

"Fucking hell," she muttered. "Just when I thought we had a second to breathe."

Azarion growled low. "We'll end him. Again. And again if we have to."

Reyna shook her head. "This time it's trickier. He's subtle now. Quiet. We have to be careful."

Rhiannan nodded once, her eyes glowing with cold resolve. "Then we watch. And we prepare. I won't let that fucker hurt my people again. Not while I'm still breathing."