Chapter 6 - THE CROWN BENEATH THE MOUNTAINThey descended for hours.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became.
Alora walked beside Kael.
Neither spoke.
Finally, she broke the silence.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“You knew I was going to be queen.”
“I suspected.”
“You should have told me.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you?”
Kael looked at her.
“Because I wanted one day in your life when you were just Alora.”
Her heart tightened.
“You don't get to decide that for me.”
“I know.”
She looked away.
After a moment, he said:
“I am sorry.”
The words were simple.
But they seemed to cost him more than any wound.
They reached a massive stone door.
A crown was carved into it.
Alora placed her hand against the surface.
The door opened.
Beyond it was a city.
An entire city beneath the mountain.
Stone towers.
Frozen bridges.
Moon-shaped windows.
Hundreds of empty houses.
And in the distance…
a palace.
Alora stared.
“This was your kingdom?”
Kael nodded.
“Before the fall.”
The wolves spread through the streets.
Some disappeared into old homes.
Others stood watch.
The elder led Alora toward the palace.
Inside was a throne room.
Two thrones stood beneath a shattered glass ceiling.
One black.
One white.
Kael stopped.
“The king's throne.”
“And the other?”
“The queen's.”
Alora looked at it.
“I don't want it.”
Kael didn't answer.
She turned.
“I don't.”
“I know.”
“What happens if I refuse?”
“The prophecy changes.”
“Can it?”
“No.”
She frowned.
“You just said it could.”
“I said the prophecy changes.”
He walked closer.
“But fate doesn't always need permission.”
Before she could reply, the elder entered.
It carried a small box in its mouth.
It dropped the box at Alora's feet.
Inside was a silver crown.
Tiny.
Beautiful.
And stained with old blood.
Alora touched it.
A vision struck her.
Her mother.
Holding the crown.
Her mother was crying.
Her father stood beside her.
“We cannot hide forever.”
“We only need twelve years.”
“And after twelve years?”
She looked at the baby in her arms.
“She will choose.”
The vision changed.
A door opened.
A young Kael entered.
His face was covered in blood.
Her father grabbed his arm.
“Run.”
Kael shouted:
“I'm not leaving you.”
Her father forced him toward the door.
“Your brother is already dead.”
Kael froze.
“We need you alive.”
Then her mother looked at Kael.
“And one day, she will find you.”
Vision.
Gone.
Alora dropped the crown.
Kael caught it.
She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“They knew.”
“Yes.”
“They knew you would find me.”
“Yes.”
“Then buying you for one coin…”
He smiled sadly.
“Perhaps we didn't choose each other.”
“Maybe we were led to each other.”
A horn sounded above the mountain.
The palace shook.
The elder turned sharply.
Kael drew his sword.
“What's happening?”
The elder spoke one word.
“Traitor.”
The palace doors exploded.
A group of wolves entered.
But they were not alone.
Behind them stood a man in northern armor.
Kael's face changed.
“Impossible.”
The man smiled.
Then removed his helmet.
Alora saw his face.
He looked exactly like Kael.
Almost.
Same golden eyes.
Same dark hair.
Same scar near the jaw.
Kael's sword lowered.
“No.”
The stranger laughed.
“You always were slow, brother.”
Alora looked at Kael.
“Brother?”
Kael whispered one word.
“Darius.”
The elder growled.
“The dead prince has returned.”
Darius's eyes moved to Alora.
He smiled.
“Not dead, little queen.”
May you like
He drew his sword.
“Just waiting for my crown.”
