Celestial Bonds - Shattered Paths (Book 3)

Chapter 1: A Kingdom Divided

Kian

The council chamber is suffocating. Every face around the long, polished table looks at me, expecting decisions, orders, and leadership. My hands grip the chair's armrests as if grounding myself against arguments and discussions swirling around the room. Reports from the borders and unrest in the capital are one crisis after another, piling onto my shoulders. It's all I can do to maintain my composure.

"...military forces must be deployed immediately," one of the advisors insists, his voice grating on my frayed nerves. I nod absently, but my thoughts drift elsewhere. My kingdom is crumbling, and the alliance with Eltor is on the brink of collapse. Yet, I can only think about how every part of my life is undone.

Lyara. The name echoes in my mind like a distant whisper. I close my eyes for a moment, remembering her fiery gaze, the way she once looked at me with hope, even affection. Those moments seem like a lifetime ago. Now, whenever we're in the same room, there's nothing but tension—thick, unspoken, threatening to snap. She chose Jax, and though I try to focus on the political implications of their bond, I can't deny the jealousy that plagues me. How did things fall apart so quickly?

And then there's Lira. My gaze shifts to where she stands by the window, her expression unreadable as she watches the council argue. Lira, my advisor, my confidante. She's been my rock through this chaos, offering guidance when I felt directionless. But recently, there's been a shift in our dynamic. It's subtle—an unspoken understanding that neither of us has addressed, a bond growing between us that feels... dangerous.

Dangerous, not just because of what it could mean for the alliance with Eltor, but because I sense her struggles. Lira's counsel is invaluable, but I've seen the weariness in her eyes, the moments when she hesitates before speaking as if weighing every word. She carries secrets she's not yet ready to share, making me wonder how deep her involvement goes. Is she simply an advisor, or does she have her stake in this prophecy we're entangled in?

"Kian?" Lira's voice pulls me back to the present. The council has gone silent, all eyes now fixed on me. "The generals are awaiting your decision regarding the border defenses," she says gently, her gaze searching mine, trying to anchor me to the task.

I swallow, pushing the personal turmoil aside. "Yes, of course," I reply, my voice sounding steadier than I feel. "We'll send reinforcements to the eastern pass and fortify our supply lines. We need to show Eltor that Terra will not stand down."

There's a murmur of agreement, and I catch the faintest nod from Lira. She steps forward, relaying the orders with the calm authority that has always made her invaluable to me. But even now, as I watch her command the room, I see a shadow in her eyes. Is it worry? Guilt? I can't tell, and it gnaws at me. In this web of political and personal conflicts, she is the one person I should be able to trust. And yet, I can't shake the feeling that she's keeping something from me.

The council members continued their discussions, planning strategies, and logistics, but my focus drifted again. I think of Jax, buried in the archives, obsessively researching the Crown. My hands tighten into fists. He was once my friend, someone I respected. Whenever I hear his name, it feels like a knife twisting in my gut. His pursuit of the Crown's secrets might save us all or drive us to ruin. Worse, I know Lyara is with him in this.

Lyara and Jax. They have become a united front, something I should have seen coming. My anger isn't just about Lyara's choice but about the betrayal of trust. I trusted Jax. I trusted them both. And now, I'm left questioning everything—my role as a prince, my place in this prophecy, and whether I even want to fight for the future we're supposed to build.

"Kian," Lira says softly, coming to stand beside me. I glance at her, catching the concern in her eyes. "You can't afford to lose focus," she continues, her voice barely above a whisper meant only for me. "The council is restless. The people are looking to you for strength. We need to stay unified, especially now."