The courtyard remained frozen in stunned silence.
No one dared to speak. No one dared to move.
The music had died. The celebration had shattered.
And now,
all eyes were fixed on the girl in the prince's arms.
"Elara…" Kaelen's voice came out lower than he intended, strained in a way few had ever heard from him.
She didn't respond.
Her body lay limp against him, her head tilted slightly, strands of her hair brushing against his arm as if even the wind had forgotten how to move.
For a heartbeat, Kaelen simply stood there.
Then instinct took over.
Before anyone else could reach her, before her family could even push through the stunned crowd, Kaelen lifted her more securely into his arms. "I've got her."
Darin forced his way forward immediately, his expression sharp with panic. "She's my sister."
"And she's unconscious," Kaelen cut in, his tone firm, leaving no room for argument. "We don't have time."
For a brief moment, tension flared between them.
Darin's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides.
But then he exhaled sharply. "…Fine. But I'm coming with you."
Kaelen gave a short nod. That was the only concession he was willing to make.
He turned without another word. "Clear the way!"
Guards snapped into action instantly, pushing through the crowd as the massive palace doors were thrown open.
Behind them, the whispers began to rise like a storm.
"The creature bowed, did you see it?"
"That light… that wasn't normal…"
"She's just a healer's daughter…"
"No… she's something else…"
The words followed them like shadows.
Inside the palace, everything felt different.
heavier and quieter.
The warmth of celebration had been replaced by something cold and uncertain.
Servants hurried out of the way as Kaelen strode through the corridors, his boots echoing sharply against the polished marble floors.
Elara's breathing was soft, uneven against his chest.
Too quiet.
"Where are we taking her?" Darin asked, keeping pace beside him.
Kaelen didn't answer immediately. Because for the first time, he didn't know.
Before he could decide, hurried footsteps approached from behind.
"Elara!" Alaric's voice broke through the corridor as he rushed forward, Serenya close behind him.
Kaelen slowed, allowing them to catch up.
"She collapsed," Darin said quickly. "There was lightand that creature..."
"I saw," Alaric replied, his voice tight.
His gaze moved to his daughter in Kaelen's arms, and something flickered in his expression. Fear. Something deeper.
"We should take her home," he said firmly. "She'll be more comfortable there."
Kaelen stopped walking. The corridor fell silent.
"No." The word came out steady and final.
All three of them looked at him. Kaelen's gaze didn't waver.
"She collapsed here. After that creature appeared."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"I'm not sending her away without knowing what's happening to her."
Alaric frowned. "Your Highness, she's my daughter."
"And I'm responsible for what just happened," Kaelen replied, quieter now, but no less firm.
The weight of his words settled heavily in the air.
Serenya stepped forward gently, her voice softer but no less resolute. "We're not refusing your help… but she belongs with her family."
Kaelen looked down at Elara for a brief moment.
Then back at them.
"And she will be," he said. "But not until we know she's safe."
The tension broke as another presence entered the corridor.
King Aldric.
The guards straightened instantly. Silence followed in his wake.
His gaze moved from Kaelen… to Elara… to the healer and his family.
"Take her to the guest chambers," the king said calmly.
No hesitation. No doubt.
"She and her family will remain in the palace tonight."
That settled it.
Alaric bowed his head, though reluctance lingered in his eyes. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
Moments later, Elara was laid carefully onto a bed within one of the palace guest chambers.
The room was elegant, soft fabrics, polished wood, golden light from flickering candles.
But it felt unfamiliar. Cold and not like home.
Alaric moved quickly, his hands steady as he checked her pulse, her breathing, her temperature. Serenya stood close, her fingers trembling slightly as she brushed Elara's hair back from her face.
"She was fine this morning…" she whispered.
Darin remained near the door, silent but alert, his eyes flicking constantly toward Kaelen.
And Kaelen… He hadn't moved far.
He stood beside the bed, his gaze fixed on Elara as if leaving her sight might cause her to disappear.
Alaric's hand paused suddenly.
At her wrist. For a brief moment a faint glow flickered beneath her skin. Gone as quickly as it came.
Alaric stilled. "You saw that?" Darin asked quietly.
Alaric nodded slowly, his expression darkening.
"This is no ordinary illness…"
Outside the chamber, tension gathered like a storm waiting to break.
General Lysender stood beside the king, his expression sharp and unyielding.
"That creature did not come to attack," he said.
King Aldric remained silent.
"It came for her."
A pause followed.
"And now she's inside your palace."
The king's gaze hardened slightly. "She is under my protection."
Lysender's voice lowered. "Or she is a danger we have invited inside."
Not far from them, Lyra stood alone.
Her fingers curled tightly at her sides, nails pressing into her palms.
She had seen everything.
Kaelen's hesitation. His choice.
The way he held her. Her eyes darkened slowly.
So the healer's daughter…
Was no longer insignificant.
She was a threat. And threats were meant to be removed.
Inside the chamber, Elara's fingers twitched.
Kaelen stepped forward instantly. "Elara?"
Her brows furrowed faintly, as if caught between dreams and waking.
And then, I a pulse of light flickered beneath her skin.
Once. Stronger this time.
Kaelen's voice dropped to a whisper.
"What are you…?"
No one answered.
Outside, the night stretched on in uneasy silence.
And far beyond the palace walls…
Something stirred in the darkness.