The morning light bathed the Sky Throne Hall in gold and pearl, and Crown Prince Auren stood tall at its center—his voice calm, steady, full of authority.
The court had gathered for a rare announcement. Nobles from the high houses of Light, emissaries from the winged archons of the East, and even minor lords who had not set foot in Aetheria's palace for years.
They all came for one reason:
To witness the Crown Prince declare the next era of hope.
---
"My people," Auren spoke, his tone ringing with soft command, "Aetheria will soon welcome a child born of two worlds. A child of light… and life."
Elara stepped forward, wrapped in flowing silks of moon-pearl, a faint bump beneath her gown. She held Auren's hand—nervous, glowing, and adored.
Applause erupted.
She smiled shyly as the nobles bowed. Murmurs spread of blessings, of prophecies. Some whispered she was carrying a new Seer. Others hoped for a warrior.
Auren gently placed his hand on her stomach and looked out to the court.
"This child will not just be my heir. He or she will be the hope of a united kingdom—Light, Dark, Earthborn, Skyborn. All shall rise under this house."
The moment was warm, golden, safe.
But not all smiles were true.
---
In the shadowed archway, Kael stood beside the royal guard, watching from a distance.
He didn't clap.
Didn't smile.
But his eyes never left her.
Or her stomach.
Not once.
---
Later That Day: A New Alliance
The horns of the outer gates rang mid-afternoon. Envoys from the Shadelands, a once-hostile neighboring sky realm, had arrived under banners of peace and "bonding."
The lead emissary was a tall, unnaturally charming man with violet eyes and a serpent's smile.
Lord Varyx.
He claimed to bring offers of trade, magical cooperation, and cultural exchanges—but the moment his eyes landed on Elara, something in Kael's gut twisted.
Hard.
---
That evening, a feast was held in the Sky Garden Hall. Auren sat beside Elara, fingers laced with hers, whispering jokes and doting words into her ear. He touched her stomach often, instinctively protective.
"She kicked," Elara whispered with wonder.
Auren grinned like the sun. "Already taking after her mother—stubborn and strong."
Nearby, Lord Varyx toasted their future with a silver chalice. "May your child be the start of peace," he said smoothly.
Kael watched him like a blade unsheathed.
---
Later: A Shadowed Warning
Elara found herself alone briefly near the moon-lit corridor garden, where the waterfalls whispered quietly into the lake below.
Varyx appeared—too close, too suddenly.
"You shine brightly, Crown Princess," he said silkily. "Tell me… does your heart still belong only to light?"
She frowned, stepping back.
Before she could reply, Kael emerged, fast and quiet as a breath of smoke. He positioned himself between her and Varyx with lethal precision.
"Step away," Kael said darkly. "Or lose your tongue."
Varyx chuckled. "Still snarling in the dark, Kael? Or is it just jealousy?"
Kael didn't blink. "Touch her again, and I'll rip your shadow from your soul."
Varyx bowed mockingly. "Ah. Possession. Dangerous, isn't it?"
He vanished down the hallway, leaving tension crackling in the air.
Elara looked up at Kael, heart pounding. "Why are you always there?"
He didn't meet her eyes. "Because Auren trusts too easily. And I don't."
Then he walked away before she could speak.
But behind him, his hand clenched so hard his palm bled.
---
In the royal chambers that night, Auren pulled Elara close, unaware of the encounter.
"You're safe now," he whispered, resting his hand on her stomach. "Nothing will ever touch you or the baby. I promise."
She nodded, but didn't speak.
Because she didn't know who her shadow feared more:
The enemy outside the gates…
Or the one within their hearts.
---