Bound By The Stars

The Dim Light Of Truth

Amela led Lydia and Eryx into a vast courtyard bathed in bright sunlight, yet the ground beneath them was an unyielding sheet of ice. The contrast was jarring yet strangely beautiful, with sunlight glinting off the crystalline surface, creating a dazzling spectacle.

"Please, sit here," Amela instructed, gesturing toward a smooth patch of ice where the sun's rays warmed the surface slightly. "You'll be transported back to your academy shortly. Just wait here."

As they settled down, a rustic goblet containing a flickering flame was placed before them. Eryx studied the flame, watching as it danced playfully, casting flickering shadows on the icy floor.

"What do you think is happening back at the academy?" Lydia asked, her voice a mixture of concern and curiosity. The waiting felt interminable, her mind racing with thoughts of their classmates and the chaos they had fled.

Eryx shrugged, glancing at her. "I don't know, but I can't shake this feeling that something sinister is at play. We need to be ready for anything when we return."

Lydia nodded, her brow furrowed. "I just hope everyone is safe. What if Xander or someone else is still there? What if they've captured more students?"

The mention of Xander sent a shiver down her spine. She felt her senses heighten, as if the energy in the air was swirling with unease. Why does it feel so heavy here? she thought, her instincts urging her to be alert.

Eryx seemed to pick up on her tension. "Hey," he said softly, his eyes searching hers. "We'll figure this out together. You and I.. we're stronger than we realize."

Lydia smiled faintly, appreciating his words. "I wish I felt as strong as you say I am."

"Trust me, you are," Eryx replied. "And if I have to drag you out of trouble, I will."

As they talked, the flame in the goblet flickered, then began to dim, casting ominous shadows around them. Lydia's heart raced.

"Is it supposed to do that?" she asked, anxiety creeping into her voice.

Eryx's gaze sharpened. "I think it means we're about to go. Hold on to something."

Just as the flame was about to die completely, something remarkable happened, a dragon mark appeared at the goblet, and it flared back to life, growing brighter and larger than before. The air around them shimmered with warmth, and Lydia felt a surge of energy envelop her.

"What just happened?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"I don't know, but it feels... different," Eryx replied, both surprised and intrigued.

Amela stepped closer, her expression shifting to one of curiosity. "The flame is reacting to your presence. It's as if it knows something."

Suddenly, a chilling realization washed over Eryx like a wave. This was all a test. The king had orchestrated this entire situation, and he wasn't truly going to send them back. His heart sank as he processed the implications.

He doesn't care about Lydia. He only wants me. Eryx felt a surge of anger and betrayal. His father, the king, had spent years searching for him, his only son, the one capable of challenging the throne. Eryx had walked right back into the palace he had fled as a boy, naive to believe he could find refuge.

Flashbacks assaulted his mind-his mother holding him in one arm and his twin brother Xander in the other. She was a fire controller, deeply in love with the snow prince, but the charm had faded quickly. Eryx remembered the stories of how his father's cold demeanor had shattered their family, leaving scars that lingered long after.

As the flame flickered violently, Eryx's heart raced. He thought of the bond he shared with Lydia, how she had become a beacon of light in his dark past. But now, the weight of his lineage threatened to crush him.

"Eryx?" Lydia's voice broke through his reverie, her eyes wide with concern.

"I'm fine," he said quickly, but he knew he wasn't.

The flame danced fiercely, its heat intensifying. Eryx felt its warmth, but he couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that gripped his heart. Was he truly ready to confront his father again? The memories of his mother's pain and the distance that had grown between them weighed heavily on him.

"I should have known better," Eryx whispered to himself, the truth hitting him hard. The flame was a reminder of the legacy he couldn't escape, the legacy of a prince, a brother, and a son who had once felt so alone.

As the flame continued to grow, Lydia's hand found his. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.

Eryx turned to her, his expression grave. "This was a setup. The king wants me back, not you. He'll do whatever it takes to find me and use me."

Lydia's eyes widened, fear mingling with determination. "Then we need to be ready. We won't let him control us."

Eryx took a deep breath, feeling the strength of Lydia's grip. Together, they would face whatever awaited them in the palace and uncover the truth behind his father's intentions. As the flame roared to life, they prepared to step into the unknown, ready to confront the shadows of their past and the challenges of their future.