Celestial Bonds - Shattered Paths (Book 3)

Chapter 12: A Glimpse of the Past

Lira

The forest presses in around us, dark and ancient, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs echoing with secrets from ages long past. It feels like the trees themselves are watching, bearing witness to our every step as we push further into the unknown. I walk at the group's rear, my gaze shifting from Jax's tense shoulders to Kian's purposeful strides ahead. Lyara walks beside Jax, her silence thick with unspoken worries. We are all so close, yet it feels as though an unbridgeable distance stretches between us.

It has been hours since Jax and Kian's heated argument at the campsite. Their harsh words still hang in the air, a reminder of the growing rift between us. Jax's doubt in Kian's ability to lead, Kian's accusations of Jax's selfishness—it's clear that our bonds are fraying. I should say something to break this uneasy silence, but my throat feels tight, trapped by the weight of what I know.

I glance at Kian, his figure outlined by the dim light filtering through the forest canopy. The tension in his posture betrays his internal struggle. He's always been composed, carrying the weight of his responsibilities with a stoic resolve. But as the days wear on, that mask is starting to crack. I've seen how he looks at me lately, eyes full of unspoken questions, seeking reassurance. I want to reach out to him, to tell him that he's not alone in this, but I hold back. I have to.

Kian has enough on his shoulders, and revealing the depths of my feelings would only complicate things further. I need to focus on the task ahead—to find answers in this forest, to confront the Crown's prophecy and whatever fate it has in store for us. My heart aches as I think of how our roles have shifted; once, I was his advisor, but now, it's more than that, and neither of us knows how to navigate this new territory.

"Are you okay?" Lyara's voice breaks through my thoughts. I turn to see her eyes on me, full of concern. There's a vulnerability in her expression that I rarely see. She looks tired, worn down by the constant uncertainty of our journey.

"I'm fine," I lie, offering her a small, tight smile. "Just... thinking."

She nods, her gaze drifting to Jax, who walks a few steps ahead. There's an unspoken understanding between us, a silent acknowledgment of our pressures. I've always admired Lyara's strength and determination to forge her path despite the expectations placed upon her as Eltor's princess. But I know the toll it's taking on her, especially now, with Jax's growing obsession over the prophecy and Kian's cold distance.

"Jax is pushing himself too hard," Lyara murmurs, almost to herself. "He thinks he can find a way to control the Crown, but... I'm not so sure."

I follow her gaze, watching Jax stride ahead, his shoulders set with a determination that borders desperation. I know she's right. Jax is driven by a need to prove himself and find a way to protect the people he loves, but it's consuming him. His confrontation with Kian has only deepened his resolve, and I fear what he might do if he continues down this path unchecked.

"We're all pushing ourselves," I reply, keeping my voice neutral. "But we have to find a way to work together. One person's will won't tame the Crown. It demands something from all of us."

Lyara's lips press into a thin line, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. She cares for Jax deeply but also knows that this journey is changing him—and all of us—in ways we might not be able to reverse. She opens her mouth to say something, but before she can, a sudden rush of wind sweeps through the trees, rustling the leaves in a cacophonous wave. It's as if the forest itself is reacting to our presence.

I stop, my heart hammering in my chest. The air around us grows heavy, and I feel a strange pressure at the base of my skull. It's a sensation I recognize, one I've felt before in moments of prophetic visions. My hands instinctively reach out, grasping for something to steady myself.