Devotion

Chapter 48

Aurora

The cottage trembled as I read through Princess Xylvie's journals. A sharp pulse of energy surged through me—my brother's power. He was in danger.

I pushed the book aside and rose to my feet, ready to run to him, but Erix caught my wrist, his grip firm.

"He can hold his ground," he said, his violet eyes dark with urgency. "We need to move. Sylas is near, and we're running out of time." Without another word, he grabbed the books and warped us back to his manor.

King Xenos and Queen Katrina were pacing when we arrived. At the sight of us, Queen Katrina let out a breath of relief and rushed forward, grasping my hands. Her usually radiant face was pale, her grip trembling.

"Thank the heavens you're back." Her voice quivered. "We've just learned terrible news."

I swallowed hard. "What is it?"

She hesitated, steadying herself before speaking. "King Taric has reawakened. We don't have much time."

The words sent a cold shudder through my spine. King Taric—the monster of the Great Domain War. He had sought absolute power, enslaving those he deemed weak and slaughtering without mercy. His fate had been a mystery; some whispered he died of disease, others claimed he vanished into another dimension. But now he was back.

Erix and I exchanged uneasy glances. We were barely beginning to understand the depths of the Lumar Kingdom's history. I was supposed to be the strongest vampire in Kuata, yet I still knew nothing about my lineage or the power stirring inside me. Ashley had given me a book that only I could read, but it contained spells—nothing about who I was or what I was meant to do.

"What does this mean for us?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

Queen Katrina took a steadying breath before locking eyes with me, her emerald gaze glowing with magic. "It means war, Lotus. And it will begin after your brother's wedding to Princess Xylvie."

War. My breath hitched. My thoughts reeled. King Taric alive? How? Why? We had planned to expose the Moon Kingdom for selling me to the Lumar Kingdom, for ordering my death. But now... war? Destiny? What even was my destiny?

A heavy weight settled on my chest. My vision blurred. The walls felt as if they were closing in. I gasped, struggling to get air into my lungs. Queen Katrina reached for me, but my body convulsed as magic flared wildly from within me. King Xenos moved swiftly, enveloping me in his power. A cooling sensation rushed over me, but the panic held firm. My heart pounded—

Then everything shifted.

+++

The battlefield stretched endlessly, a sea of warriors from every kingdom. Whisperwood, Winter, Peavia, Moon. Fae, elves, mermaids, fairies, werewolves. A single command shattered the tense silence:

"Advance!"

King Xenos's voice rang out, and the armies surged forward, weapons clashing as war erupted.

A roar tore through the battlefield—a taunt.

The King of Evil had arrived.

King Taric.

"Charge!" he bellowed, leading his forces into the chaos. Blood painted the land, and bodies fell like autumn leaves. His power crackled like lightning, dark tendrils weaving destruction.