Celestial Bonds- The Crown's Judgment (Book 5)

Chapter 9: Confronting Truths

Kian

Morning broke over Eltor, casting a cold light across my balcony. The chill in the air starkly contrasted with the storm raging within me. I stared at the horizon, trying to make sense of the emotions pulling me in different directions. Today would be the day I confronted the truths I had buried deep inside. I wasn't sure if I was ready, but I knew I couldn't delay any longer.

As I leaned against the railing, memories from the past weeks swirled in my mind—moments of quiet with Lira, the trust in her eyes as we strategized for the kingdom's future. She had been my anchor through the chaos, the one who stood by my side through every storm. I should be grateful for her steady presence and her unwavering support. And yet, every time I thought of Lyara, a different kind of storm brewed within me, one I could not control or explain.

What was wrong with me? I had a duty to my kingdom, to Lira. I was supposed to be the one who made the hard choices for the greater good. But now, every choice I faced felt like a betrayal—of my responsibilities, my promises, and most of all, of the people who trusted me.

I closed my eyes, rubbing my temples to chase away the headache threatening to form. Focus, Kian, I told myself. But no matter how much I tried to force my thoughts onto strategy matters, they kept slipping back to Lyara. She was fire and light, the presence that filled a room and demanded attention. I had tried to convince myself that my feelings for her were a passing infatuation that would fade with distance and time. But instead, it had grown into a constant ache, a pull that grew stronger every time I saw her.

And then there was Lira. My heart twisted painfully at the thought of her. She had been with me through battles, losses, and long nights of planning and worrying about our kingdoms. How could I turn my back on her now? She had given me her loyalty and love without asking for anything in return. Yet here I was, struggling with feelings that had no place in the life we had built together.

"The path I'm walking is leading me toward a precipice," I muttered, feeling the truth of those words settles heavily on my chest. One wrong step, and I could shatter everything we had worked for: the alliances, the future we had envisioned for Terra and Eltor. My role had always been making hard choices and sacrificing for the greater good. But now, every option felt like a betrayal.

With a sigh, I pushed away from the railing and returned to the council chamber. I needed to gather my thoughts before the meeting began. The room was eerily silent, the weight of my decisions pressing down like a heavy fog. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the familiar tug of guilt coil in my chest.

I sat at the table, staring at the documents before me, but the words blurred into a meaningless haze. Today, I would have to face Lyara. I avoided it for too long, hiding behind diplomacy and strategic planning. But the tension between us had reached a breaking point. I had to confront what lay between us, for both our sakes.

The door creaked open, and I saw Lira standing in the doorway. Her eyes met mine, and I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt wash over me for a moment. She looked so composed, so strong, as if she could see right through the turmoil in my heart and was choosing not to acknowledge it.

"Kian," she said, her voice calm but carrying an edge of concern. "The council will be gathering soon. Are you ready?"

Ready? The word echoed in my mind, mocking me. No, I wasn't prepared. I wasn't sure if I ever would be. But I nodded, forcing a smile that felt hollow. "Yes, I'll be there shortly," I replied, watching as she gave a slight nod before turning to leave. The door shut behind her, leaving me with my thoughts once more.

I let out a shaky breath, leaning forward to rest my elbows on the table. This had to end. I couldn't continue pretending that everything was fine, that my heart wasn't pulling me in a direction I had tried to resist. I needed to talk to Lyara, to lay everything bare, no matter how much it hurt. And I owed it to Lira, to be honest, to stop hiding behind half-truths and avoidance.

As the minutes ticked by, I felt a knot of dread forming in my stomach. What would this conversation mean for us? For our kingdoms? The stakes were higher than our personal feelings; they could unravel the alliances we had worked so hard to build. But there was no avoiding it now. Whatever came of it, the truth had to be confronted.

I stood up, feeling the crown's weight settle onto my shoulders even though it wasn't there. Today, I wasn't just a king; I was a man caught between love and duty, between what was expected of me and what my heart screamed for. It was a crossroads, and I knew there would be no turning back once I took the next step.

Steeling myself, I walked toward the door. My hand paused on the handle, and I took a deep breath, trying to quell the storm raging within. I had to do this—for Lyara, Lira, and myself. I needed to confront the reality of my feelings and the consequences they would bring.

As I pushed the door open, I caught sight of the council room slowly filling with advisors and guards. My eyes scanned the room until they found her—Lyara, standing by the far window, her posture rigid and face turned toward the horizon. I wondered if she felt the same pull I did, the same fear of what this conversation could unravel.

I hesitated for a heartbeat, the enormity of what I was about to do crashing over me like a tidal wave. Then, I stepped forward, moving toward her with a terrifying and liberating resolve. Today, we would face the truth buried beneath politics and duty. Today, I would confront Lyara and the reality of what lay between us.

The council door creaked open wider, and the room's sounds seemed to fade into the background as I approached her. She turned to face me, her eyes guarded yet questioning. I opened my mouth to speak, the words forming in my mind even as uncertainty clawed at me.

"It's time," I thought, my heart pounding. "No more running. We must face this, whatever it means for us, Lira, and our kingdoms."

"It's time," I thought, my heart pounding. "No more running. We must face this, whatever it means for us, Lira, and our kingdoms."

I moved closer, feeling the air grow heavier with each step. Lyara turned to meet my gaze, her eyes a storm of emotions I couldn't quite decipher. I opened my mouth, the words hanging on the tip of my tongue, ready to unravel the unspoken tension between us.

But before I could speak, the chamber doors creaked open behind me, and a rush of footsteps filled the room as the councilors began to file in. I closed my eyes briefly, frustration mingling with a strange sense of relief. The conversation would have to wait—though not for long.

I turned back to Lyara, catching the flicker of something in her eyes—anticipation, maybe even fear. She nodded slightly, an unspoken agreement passing between us: soon, we would face what we had kept buried for too long. As I stepped away to take my place at the table, my heart beat a steady rhythm of inevitability.

Tomorrow, I thought, stealing one last glance at her. Tomorrow, we would confront everything.