Chapter 47- Dark Magic

By the time Rhiannan and her mates returned to the castle, the energy was electric.

Inside the war room, Reyna stood at the head of the table, voice firm and radiant with divine purpose.

"The Noble Trials begin tomorrow," she declared, eyes flicking to each council member. "It's one single day. Three difficult tasks. We'll narrow our selections before nightfall."

She glanced at Rhiannan, a proud grin tugging at her mouth. "Nobles will be appointed directly by the council. But Lords and Ladies? That's up to the people. Voting will open immediately after trials and last for twenty four hours."

"Smart," Kaleb said. "How long do they serve?"

"One five year term," Reyna replied. "Two if they're voted back in. Nobles serve one term only. No reappointments. No corruption."

Rhiannan beamed with pride, her heart swelling. "Gods, I fucking love you, Reyna."

That night, they all gathered for a cozy late dinner. There was food, wine, dessert that definitely counted as illegal in at least six realms, and more laughter than the room could hold.

"I better not get another damn scroll in the morning," Kaleb said. "Last time I opened one, it exploded into glitter and cursed me with hiccups for two days."

"Bet it improved your personality," Sable muttered.

"Eat shit, demon bat."

"You wish."

They all dissolved into bickering and banter until the door flew open and Mo burst in, eyes wide and wet with tears.

"Mela's pregnant!" he shouted.

Everyone froze.

Then Mela peeked around him, blushing and teary eyed.

"A monkey or a warlock baby, who cares, it's a baby and it's MINE!" Mo shouted again, spinning in place like a lunatic.

Rhiannan let out a shriek of joy, jumping up despite her huge belly and throwing her arms around them. Riven was sobbing behind them, clutching a glass of wine.

FaeNet EXPLODED.

Within seconds, the trio went viral, memes, celebration posts, and betting pools on whether the baby would have a tail or fireball hands.

The castle rejoiced.

And the future kept getting brighter.

The castle buzzed like a hive as the sun rose on the day of the Noble Trials. A sprawling breakfast banquet awaited the hundred chosen trial participants in the Great Hall. Platters overflowed with meats, fruit, eggs, and pastries while tea and juice flowed freely. Laughter mixed with nerves as contestants milled about, dressed in ceremonial gear, eyeing the upcoming trials with a mix of hope and terror.

Reyna stood at the head of the long table, her council behind her. Dressed in regal silver and navy, her eyes sparkled with pride and determination. Once breakfast concluded, she lifted her voice and raised a hand.

"Today, we build something unshakable," she declared. "You hundred souls will step into greatness. Some will become Nobles, our guides. Some will become Lords or Ladies....our chosen voices of the people. Today, we see your truth."

Faenet practically crashed under the weight of excitement. Comments rolled in by the thousands as spectators from across the realms watched live. Betting pools formed. Supporters spammed heart and flame emojis beside the names of their favorites.

Reyna led the chosen through a long corridor, sunlight spilling from the stained glass windows until they emerged onto the newly constructed Noble Trial Grounds. Three massive rings awaited them, each etched in ancient runes and brimming with magical energy. The air was thick with anticipation.

POV - VALLEN BRIGHTSHARD

Vallen adjusted the crystal shoulder plate of his armor and took a steadying breath. A half dwarf smith turned reformist from Emberreach, he had petitioned Reyna personally. Becoming a Noble wasn't about power to him, it was about finally making sure his people had food, fair wages, and warmth through the winters.

"I didn't come this far to choke now," he muttered. He clutched a small pendant of his late father and kissed it for luck. The forge taught him pain. The rebellion taught him resolve.

He stepped into the ring as the horn screamed.

POV - LILINDA WHISPERBARK

Lilin stood in a swirl of forest silk robes, her wild gray curls bound only by a simple vine circlet. As a seer's apprentice from deep in the mystical woods, she'd never imagined standing at the center of political power.

But when visions of drought, misrule, and tyranny plagued her dreams, she knew she had to do something.

"Let them underestimate me," she murmured. "I'll outlast them all."

The trial ring shimmered with magic as she entered.

POV - KAZEM OF THE ASHEN TIDE

Kazem rolled his shoulders, his charred black cloak settling like wings across his back. A rogue phoenix shifter once branded traitor, he'd risen again from his ashes literally. Now, he walked tall.

"I'm not here to bow," he muttered. "I'm here to fucking lead."

Faenet spammed fire emojis beside his name as his fan base erupted.

He grinned darkly and stepped into the ring.

From her high dais, Rhiannan watched it all unfold. Azarion held her hand while Liam rubbed her back. Kaleb and Arwen stood nearby, barking orders to make sure crowd control was held tight. Elisha circled overhead on his dragon wings, eyes sharp for threats.

Sable stalked the outer wards like a shadow, snarling to himself.

Then it happened.

The sky cracked.

The wards above the castle shimmered violently, trembling like glass about to break. Sasha's voice screamed across the castle, "Magical breach detected! Repeat, unknown assault detected!"

The shield held. But it flickered. Damaged.

Gasps rang through the crowd. Faenet lit up with panic emojis and chaos.

"Do we stop?" someone yelled.

"No," Reyna roared, voice amplified by divine force. "Let them see we do not bend. Continue the trials!"

Rhiannan, breath catching, hunched over suddenly.

"Babe?" Liam asked, immediately dropping to his knees.

"I think... fuck, I think I'm having contractions," she grit out.

Her three nannies were already at her side in seconds, Kaelith checking her pulse, Sereth muttering time slowing spells, and Brimma snapping for towels and calming draughts.

"False labor again?" Kaelith murmured.

"No clue," Rhiannan hissed. "But it better fucking wait. We've got shit to do."

As the noble trials blazed on below, Rhiannan's loved ones scrambled to protect her....and the future of the realms.

The moment Rhiannan doubled over, clutching her belly with a growl, her mates snapped into motion like a pack of divine hellhounds.

Azarion didn't hesitate. He scooped her up, bridal style, his wings flaring out for balance as her weight pressed against his chest. "Fuck this noise, you're done today," he snarled, voice low and fierce. "You're not popping out triplets on a battlefield."

"I swear to all things sparkly, if you drop me..." she hissed through a grimace.

"Baby, I'd let a god eat me before I let your ass hit the ground," he muttered, already stalking toward the castle.

Behind him, Liam's eyes glowed like molten gold, his aura pulsing with power as he shouted for the sentinels. "Lock it down! Double layer the northern quadrant and bring me the caster crew!"

Sable was already gone, shadow keaping through the outer ward like smoke on the wind. A dozen officers from Squad Thorne followed, blades drawn and spells sizzling at their fingertips.

The patrol circled wide around the outer perimeter, and that's when they saw it.

Burn marks in the soil. A heavy metallic scent on the air.

Rot.

Sable crouched low, claws digging into the dirt. His demon eyes narrowed as he held a charred, blackened leaf between his fingers. "Dark magic," he growled. "Fresh. But not strong enough to get through."

The lead scout beside him grimaced. "You think she was testing us?"

"She was here," Sable snarled. "Lorelei."

Silence followed.

Cold. Heavy. Dread laced silence.

Then he stood. "Good. Let the Bone Bitch try again. I want her to see what happens when she fucks with us."

Meanwhile, back in the royal chambers, Rhiannan was eased onto a nest of pillows by Kaelith and Sereth, her glowing belly being gently examined as Brimma activated a dozen wards around the room with tiny glittering explosives.

"She's not in labor," Kaelith said calmly, "but close. That dark magic kicked her system into defense mode."

"Triplets are squirming like wild things," Sereth murmured, flipping through her book of fate. "They know war is near."

Brimma cracked her knuckles. "Good. Born ready, just like their mama."

Outside, Faenet exploded.

💬 "Is that an ATTACK?!" 👀 "Azarion carried the Queen like a fucking WARRIOR." 💬 "Lorelei dared show her face? That rotted twig can burn."

💬 "Squad Thorne is already on it. OUR ARMY IS NO JOKE." 💗 "The babies are okay, right?!"