Celestial Bonds - Shattered Paths (Book 3)

Chapter 6: Shadows of the Past

Lyara

The palace hallways seemed colder than usual, their vast stone surfaces echoing every step I took. Kian's words still rang in my ears, harsh and biting, a reminder of the widening chasm between us. Our confrontation had left me reeling, emotions swirling into a storm I couldn't control. He had demanded answers about Jax, about where my loyalties truly lay, and I had been too angry, too hurt, to give him the reassurance he needed. I sought solace in the one place that consistently offered me clarity: the archives.

I pushed open the heavy doors, the scent of ancient parchment and dust greeting me like an old friend. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the shelves, the texts looming over me as if silently judging. I walked further into the room, trailing my fingers along the spines of the volumes lining the walls. The records of Terra and Eltor's history were all here—the stories of alliances, wars, betrayals, and triumphs. The key to understanding the prophecy and the Crown was within these walls. I had to believe that.

My thoughts kept circling back to Kian and how he had looked at me, his eyes a storm of pain and confusion. I wanted to reach out to him to explain my torn between my love for Jax and my duty to Eltor. But every time I tried, the words caught in my throat. And then there was Lira. Kian trusted and confided in her in ways he no longer did with me. It stung more than I wanted to admit. I had seen how he looked at her—how his eyes softened in her presence. I couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy, an emotion I had no right to claim.

I shook my head, pushing those thoughts aside as I searched for the section on prophecies and legends. Kian and Lira weren't my concern right now. The prophecy was. I had to focus and find something that would help us understand the Crown and what it demanded from us. I turned down a narrow aisle, the air growing cooler as I ventured deeper into the archives. My fingers brushed against a worn, leather-bound tome that caught my eye.

I pulled it from the shelf and glanced at the cover, my heart beating. It was an old Eltorian text I had heard whispers about during childhood—a collection of stories about the Crown's previous wielders and their sacrifices. I carefully opened the book, the pages brittle with age, and began to read.

The stories painted a haunting picture. Each bearer of the Crown had faced a choice, a trial that demanded something precious. One passage in particular sent a chill down my spine: a tale of two lovers who had sacrificed their union to secure peace for their warring kingdoms. They had walked separate paths, united in purpose but forever divided by the Crown's decree.

My hands shook as I traced the faded ink, the words blurring before my eyes. Was this what the Crown demanded of us? To tear apart our bonds for the sake of our kingdoms? I thought of Jax, of how he had stood by me, unyielding in his love and determination. And then I thought of Kian—the strength he showed in his resolve to protect Terra, even if it meant hardening his heart. Could we be destined to follow the same path as those in the stories?

"Lyara?" A familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts. I saw Jax standing at the end of the aisle, his eyes filled with concern. "I had a feeling I'd find you here."

He approached cautiously as if afraid I might shatter at any moment. I closed the book, holding it to my chest as I met his gaze. "I needed answers," I said quietly, my voice barely more than a whisper. "And I found... this." I handed him the tome, watching as he scanned the pages, his expression growing more troubled with each passing second.

Jax's jaw tightened, his eyes flicking up to meet mine. "It's always about sacrifice," he muttered, the frustration clear in his voice. "Why must the Crown demand that we give up what we hold dear?"

"Maybe because it knows that true power comes at a cost," I replied, the weight of my words settling over me. "It's a test—a way of forcing us to confront what we're willing to lose for the sake of our kingdoms."