The Fifth Path

Book One of The Paths of Lythra.

A crown should never choose twice.

In Lythra, everyone belongs to a Path:
Healers restore.
Warriors protect.
Rulers command.
Destroyers erase.

Only four exist.
Everyone knows that.
Everyone is wrong.

When Elowen Sylvaris leaves her forest home to seek the ancient Crown buried beneath Eltharin, she doesn't expect to cross the borders of every Path she's ever trusted. She doesn't expect the land itself to stop answering her. And she definitely doesn't expect two boys to walk into her story at exactly the wrong time.

Rhyen Valeth has known her since childhood: steady, loyal, and far more dangerous than he lets anyone see.

Caelan Ithriel appears out of nowhere, already knowing too much, already watching her like he's been waiting.

One protects her.
One understands her.
Neither tells her the truth.
But the deeper Elowen walks toward the Crown, the clearer it becomes:

someone is lying.

And someone is leading her there on purpose.
Because there isn't supposed to be a Fifth Path.
And if it truly exists- it's already chosen her.

✨ slowburn
✨ love triangle
✨ morally grey characters
✨ forbidden magic and love
✨ strangers to allies to...?