I swallowed hard. "Is there a way to fix it? And to send ho safely?"
He t my eyes, serious and unyielding. "Possibly. But it requires a rare catalyst — an artifact lost for centuries. We believe it lies hidden in the ancient ruins beyond the Eastern Mountains."
Lira’s eyes widened. "The ruins are dangerous. Many have tried to retrieve anything from there and never returned."
The King nodded gravely. "Yes. But it is our only hope."
I felt a mixture of dread and determination rise within . To return ho ant facing dangers I barely understood but staying trapped here was worse.
"Then I will go," I said quietly. "I have to try."
The King regarded with a flicker of approval. "You are brave. And perhaps the destiny that was ant for you."
He turned to Lira. "I will send a party to accompany Athena, but the journey will test all of her strength."
Lira nodded firmly. "I will go with her."
The King considered this, then gave a small nod. "Very well. Prepare yourselves. You leave at dawn."
As we were led out of the throne room, the weight of what lay ahead settled over .
Outside, Lira reached out and squeezed my arm. "Whatever happens, we face it together."
I took a deep breath, the faint light of hope flickering in my chest. For the first ti since I arrived, I believed there might be a way ho — but the path was fraught with peril, and my past shadows lood close.
The palace halls buzzed with urgency as preparations for the journey began.
Servants and guards scurried about, gathering supplies and weapons. Lira moved with practiced grace, overseeing the arrangents and ensuring I had everything I might need.
"We have to be ready for anything," she said, tightening the straps on my pack. "The Eastern Mountains are unforgiving."
I nodded, trying to steady the flutter of nerves in my chest. Despite the King’s solemn warnings, part of clung to hope. Maybe, just maybe, this quest would finally bring answers and a way ho.
Hours passed in a blur of packing, training, and hushed conversations about strategy. Lira remained a steadfast presence, her quiet confidence bolstering more than she realized.
Then, just as the first pale light of dawn crept through the windows, a sudden knock echoed through the room where I was making final checks.
Expecting Lira, I opened the door without hesitation.
But it wasn’t her.
Lucas stood there, frad by the morning light, his expression unreadable.
I felt my cheeks flush instantly, the mory of our last encounter flooding back — the fierce kiss, his intense eyes, the way he’d pulled close without hesitation.
"Lucas," I breathed, surprised and unsettled.
He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.
"Did you really think the King would send his own daughter to retrieve sothing so dangerous?" Lucas said, voice low and sharp.
I swallowed hard, heart pounding. "I—I thought he would..."
He shook his head, a small, almost bitter smile tugging at his lips.
"I’ll be going with you instead."
The words sent a ripple of tension through the room. My mind raced, mories colliding — the way he used to move beside in the training yards, the whispered conversations under the moonlight, the monts when trust and sothing more had flickered between us.
It reminded of when we did—
My thoughts trailed off as Lucas closed the distance, his gaze locking with mine.
"I won’t let you face this alone," he said quietly, but with an unmistakable edge of possessiveness.
I bit my lip, cheeks burning as I tried to steady my breath.
"Alright," I whispered, "but we have to be careful."
He nodded once, the flicker of the old Lucas I’d once trusted flashing through his stormy eyes.
As we stepped toward the door, the weight of what lay ahead pressed down on — but now, at least, I wouldn’t be alone.
Lucas stood just inside the door, his presence suddenly filling the room like a storm about to break. The air between us felt charged, thick with things unsaid — regret, desire, betrayal, and a fragile thread of trust that still hadn’t snapped.
I couldn’t stop my cheeks from flushing, heat rushing through as mories surged forward — the kiss, the way his hands had pulled close, the hunger in his eyes that mirrored my own. But there was also the coldness, the secrets, the shadows lurking behind that intensity.
He cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"You’re nervous," he said quietly, but there was no teasing in his tone.
I swallowed hard. "Maybe a little."
He took a step closer, and I could feel the warmth radiating off him. "I don’t want to hide from what we are — or what we could be."
My heart hamred, torn between wanting to believe him and fearing the pain it could bring.
"I’m scared, Lucas," I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Not just of the journey, but of everything. Of trusting you again. You are still keeping a lot from "
His eyes softened, and for a mont the hardened advisor lted away. "I get that. More than you know."
Then his gaze sharpened. "But this mission... it’s not just about danger outside. It’s about the risks we take inside. The risks to our hearts."
I swallowed, fighting the urge to reach out.
He reached out instead, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face, his fingers lingering.
"Whatever happens," he said, voice low and fierce, "I won’t let you face it alone. Not now. Not ever."
I t his gaze, and the world narrowed to just us — breath, heat, the pulse of a promise hanging heavy in the space between.
My breath hitched.
Before I could say anything, Lucas leaned in just a little, his lips grazing mine — a soft, teasing touch that set my skin on fire without crossing the line.
"Not here," he murmured against my lips. "But soon."
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