The air was cold and dry, filled with the scent of dust and dead leaves as Kael and Elira moved away from the main palace grounds. The information Elira had found in the library was not just a map, it was a key to the King's deepest secrets. It turned out the King wasn't in the throne room as Marcus had lied, but he was hiding in a secret sanctuary built for times of war, a hideout that only the royals knew about. Kael felt a surge of rage in his chest, burning hotter than the shadow magic that consumed his skin. His father was a coward, hiding in a hole while his champion fought his battles.“Are you sure this is the way?” Kael asked, his voice low and dangerous. He didn't look at Elira, his eyes were fixed on the path ahead, scanning for any movement, any threat that dared to stop him.Elira nodded quickly, her breath shuddered as she tried to keep up with his pace. She was holding the piece of paper she had taken from the book, her hands trembling softly.“Yes, according to the m

The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, a dark hole that refused to let them go. Kael walked in front, his steps were heavy and uneven, creating a loud thud against the wet floor of the secret passage. The rage in his heart was the only thing keeping him moving because his body was screaming for him to stop. Every step sent a surge of pain burning down his leg and the wound on his arm where the blue sword had cut him was burning like someone had poured acid on it. It wasn't bleeding red blood anymore, it was releasing a black liquid that smelled like smoke and death, just the type he inflicted on others.Elira walked behind him, her eyes fixed on his back. She could see how his shoulders were trembling, she could see how he leaned against the cold stone wall every few minutes when he thought she wasn't looking. Her breath shuddered with worry. She knew about the Mage-Bane steel, she had read the books in the library during her time alone. It was a weapon made to kill people like Kae

The rain didn't stop, it just kept pouring down on the old roof of the cabin, leaking through the holes and making small endless taps on the floor. Elira woke up and the cold increased, her body was shivering from the cold air that filled the small space. She looked down at Kael immediately, her heart pounding in her chest and fear enveloped her immediately. He was still lying there, wrapped in his cloak and hers, but he looked worse than before, much worse.His skin was pale, as if he had burned from a fire, and the black veins from the wound on his arm had gone up to his neck now, glowing even in the dim light. He was burning up, his forehead was hot to the touch, yet he was shivering violently as if he was freezing to death. Elira's breath shuddered and she felt a thorn in her throat, a heavy lump of fear that she just couldn't swallow. She knew she couldn't stay here, she knew if they stayed in this cabin for another hour, Kael was going to die.“Kael,” she whispered, shaking

The wind washed against Elira's face as she rode the horse harder than she ever had before. The black stallion was breathing heavy, white smoke coming from its nose in the freezing air of the North but Elira didn't stop, she couldn't stop. Cassidy's words were ringing in her head like a bell, two days, just two days or Kael would die and be gone forever. The thought made her chest heavier than the cold was making her skin. She kicked the horse again, leaning forward, her eyes fighting against the snow that had started to fall.The journey was brutal, the land changed from the green forest to rocky hills and finally to the white frozen valleys of the North. It was a place of death, a place where the sun didn't seem to have any effect.Elira was shivering, her fingers were numb inside the gloves but she held onto the reins tight. She was tired, she hadn't slept, she hadn't eaten, but the weight of fear was keeping her awake.Ahead, in the distance, she saw it. The Northern Fortress sto

The cold floor of the dungeon was chilling into Elira's skin, making her shiver uncontrollably. It was dark and smelly, making her stomach churn.She sat in the corner, her knees pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped tight around herself. She could feel the Oak Flower against her skin, hidden deep inside her dress. It was the only warm thing in this hell hole, a tiny piece of life that reminded her of Kael.Kael.Her heart skipped a beat just thinking about him. He was dieing in that room, miles away, waiting for her. He was counting on her and she had failed him. She had walked right into a trap like a fool.“Stupid, stupid,” she muttered softly to herself, hitting her head against the wall.She stood up sharply, her legs shaking a bit from hunger. She hadn't eaten anything since she left Cassidy's place and her stomach was crying loudly. But she ignored it. She couldn't think about food now. She had to get out. She scanned the area, looking for anything, a stone, a piece of metal