Celestial Bonds - Shattered Paths (Book 3)

Chapter 10: Into the Forest

Lyara

The air is tense as we move through the forest, the ancient trees looming overhead, their twisted branches casting shadows across the path. I grip the reins of my horse tighter, my stomach churning with every step forward. This journey to the temple feels like stepping into the unknown—a leap into a fate we've been avoiding for too long. And yet, here we are, heading toward the place where everything will change.

Kian leads the way, his back straight and posture rigid as if he's trying to bear the weight of everything alone. I can see the stiffness in his shoulders and how he clenches the reins as though they are the only thing keeping him grounded. His words from the night before still ring in my ears: "We must confront the Crown directly." There had been no room for debate or questioning, and I'd felt the finality in his tone, the closing of a door between us. The decision was made, and now we march forward together but more divided than ever.

Behind me, I hear the sound of hooves crunching on fallen leaves. Jax rides in silence, his eyes scanning the forest as if searching for threats hidden among the trees. He's tense, a coil of energy barely contained. We'd spoken late into the night, our voices hushed and filled with fear of what this journey might mean for us, for our kingdoms. He had promised me then, whispered words of love and determination, but I can feel the distance growing between us now. The closer we get to the temple, the more the reality of our situation presses down on us.

I glance to the side, catching sight of Lira riding alongside Kian. She sits tall and composed, her eyes forward and her face a mask of calm. It's the same expression she wears in the council chambers, revealing nothing but hints at so much. I know she's struggling too. I've seen how she watches Kian, the concern that flashes in her eyes when he turns away. Lira has always been Kian's advisor, his voice of reason, but lately, I've sensed something deeper between them—an unspoken bond that makes my chest tighten with something I don't want to name.

The trail narrows, forcing us into a single file, and I fall in line behind Kian. His presence is imposing, even now, and I remember the days when I had thought our union would be the key to peace. There had been a time when I'd imagined a future with him, a future built on shared responsibility and quiet companionship. But that was before Jax had entered my life, before the Crown had begun to stir and twist our paths. Now, I barely know where I stand with Kian. Our recent arguments have left a raw wound between us, and I'm not sure it can ever heal.

"Careful here," Kian calls out, his voice low but carrying through the dense forest. "The ground is uneven."

I nod, though I know he can't see me. His concern is practical, not personal, but still, a small part of me warms at the sound of his voice. This is who Kian is—steady, unflinching, always focused on the path ahead. He's trying to protect and lead us through this uncertainty, but I wonder if he realizes the path isn't just through the forest. It's through the mess of emotions and loyalties that bind us all together.

The trees close in around us, the canopy overhead blocking out the sky and casting everything in a dim, green light. It's beautiful in a way, this ancient forest, but it's also ominous. It feels like it's watching us, waiting for us to make our move. I shiver, not from the cold, but from the weight of what lies ahead.

Behind me, Jax shifts in his saddle. I glance back and meet his eyes. They're dark, filled with worry, but also resolve. I know he's afraid of what the Crown will demand of us, of what we might have to sacrifice. But he's here, and I draw strength from that. Jax has always been a light source for me, a defiance against the fate others have tried to impose on us.

Lira falls back to ride beside me, her gaze steady on the path ahead. "How are you holding up?" she asks quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I swallow, unsure of how to answer. "As well as can be expected," I reply, forcing a small smile. "It feels like we're stepping into the unknown."