Veiled Bonds

Whispers of Uncertainty

The night was still, the air thick with unspoken thoughts as the kings settled into their chambers. Lysander remained by Anastasia’s side, his sharp features softened in the dim candlelight. The steady rhythm of her breathing was strangely soothing, anchoring him in a way he hadn’t expected. It was unnatural for their kind to bond so fiercely with someone so young, but the instincts that stirred within them—the need to protect, to shield—were undeniable.

Zephyr lingered outside the door for a moment before stepping in. His crimson eyes flickered toward the child nestled beneath the silk sheets. “Is she settled?” he asked, his voice hushed.

Lysander nodded, though his usual confidence wavered. “She didn’t stir once. She must be exhausted.”

Zephyr leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Elowen is growing suspicious.”

“She has every right to be,” Lysander admitted. “We didn’t even offer her daughter a room.”

Zephyr exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. “We couldn't. Not yet.” His gaze darkened. “We only just found her. If she was taken from us again…” He trailed off, unwilling to voice the thought aloud.

A tense silence followed before Zephyr finally spoke again. “Tomorrow, we deal with Kaelan. Whether he likes it or not, Anastasia is ours.”

—

Morning arrived too soon.

Elowen was awake before the sun had fully risen, tension coiled in her muscles as she dressed quickly. True to her word, she was going to see Anastasia first thing. She had barely slept, her mind replaying Zephyr’s words from the night before. Why do they feel the need to keep her so close?

She stepped into the hallway, surprised to find Hanna already up and waiting.

“They wouldn’t let you take her either, huh?” Hanna muttered, arms folded.

Elowen shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t like it.”

Before they could say anything more, the sound of footsteps approached. Lysander appeared at the end of the hallway, still looking as regal as ever despite the early hour. And in his arms, blinking sleepily, was Anastasia.

The little girl yawned, rubbing at her eyes before her gaze landed on her mother. “Mama,” she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

Elowen exhaled in relief, stepping forward to take her, but Lysander hesitated for just a moment too long.

“Elowen,” he started carefully, “before you take her, there’s something we need to discuss.”

Hanna frowned. “What now?”

Before Lysander could answer, a shrill voice cut through the quiet morning air.

“Where is she?! Where is my daughter?!”

Kaelan.

—

The tension in the throne room was suffocating.

Kaelan stood rigid, his fists clenched at his sides, barely restraining his anger as he stared at the kings. “You kept me from seeing her.” His voice was low, but it carried the weight of his fury.

Zephyr, standing with an air of unbothered authority, simply tilted his head. “And?”

Kaelan’s expression twisted. “She’s my daughter. You have no right—”

“We have every right,” Thaddeus interrupted, his deep voice laced with warning. “She belongs to us.”

Kaelan’s fury erupted. “She is seven!”

Silence.

The kings said nothing.

It was Anastasia, standing quietly between her mother and Lysander, who finally broke it. “Papa?” she whispered, her small voice hesitant.

Kaelan’s anger wavered for just a second as he met her wide, innocent gaze. He took a step forward—only for Zephyr to smoothly block his path.

“I’m not afraid of you,” Kaelan spat.

“You should be,” Zephyr murmured, his smile cold.

Elowen, sensing the growing hostility, quickly knelt beside Anastasia. “Sweetheart, why don’t you and Rony go to the kitchens? I’ll be right behind you.”

Anastasia hesitated, looking between them before nodding. As soon as the door shut behind her, the tension snapped like a tightened wire.

Kaelan’s fury was unchecked now. “She is not yours. I will never allow it.”

Zephyr’s gaze darkened. “You think you have a choice?”

Lysander took a slow step forward, his golden eyes gleaming with something far less kind than what he’d shown Anastasia. “You don’t understand, do you, Kaelan?” His voice was dangerously quiet. “She is ours. And we will have her.”

Kaelan’s breath hitched. The weight of their words settled over him like a crushing force.

There was no escaping this.