Lyra’s voice shook.
“Right in your heart.”
Kael looked at her.
My heart?
Lyra nodded her head.
“It’s here.”
Kael put a hand to his chest.
He felt no thing.
Then— BOOM.
His whole body convulsed.
A wave of silver-black energy shot through him.
Lyra caught his arm.
“Kael!”
“I thought so.
The first Alpha stepped back.
His face changed.
“What?”
Kael glanced at him.
“You know what it is.”
The first Alpha shook his head.
“Not at all.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t lie to me again.
I’m not.
The ancient king looked at Kael’s chest.
“The throne is not in you.”
Lyra looked at him.
“Why then can I see it?”
The first Alpha gulped.
“Because something’s opening up inside Kael.
Kael clenched his hand to his chest.
“What.”
Before the first Alpha could reply, Eren screamed.
“Pop.”
Kael looked around.
Eren fell to the ground.
His shadow was moving on its own.
Kael ran forward.
“Eren!”
The boy took his hand.
“Don’t let it touch me.
“What?”
“My shadow.
Kael glanced down.
And the shadow had reached out to him.
It was coiled around Kael’s arm.
Suddenly he had a vision.
He saw a throne.
Not the black seat.
A silver one.
A woman was sitting on it.
First Luna.
A man stood next to her.
Kael’s dad.
But he never wore a crown.
He was on his knees.
The vision changed.
Kael saw himself as a kid.
Before the same throne, standing,
His father gave him a squeeze on the shoulder.
“Your blood is the throne’s.”
Young Kael shook his head.
“No way.”
His father smiled.
“You don’t get to choose.
The vision broke.
Kael gasped, coming back to himself.
Lyra cupped his face.
“What did you guys see?”
“Dad.
What was he doing?
“Kneeling.”
The first Alpha looked away.
Kael saw it.
“What are you not telling me?”
The first Alpha sighed.
“Your father wasn’t the first king.
Kael’s face darkened.
“What..”.
He was anointed vessel.
“For the throne?”
“Yup.
“Then why does it want me?
“Because he lost.”
Kael’s eyes went hard.
“How?
He loved your mother.
Kael blinked.
“What does that have to do with this?”
“Throne required absolute loyalty.”
The first Alpha turned to Lyra.
“He chose your mom instead.”
Kael’s face softened for a moment.
Then he revolted.
“Yeah.”
And then?
“He was gone”
Kael peered out into the darkness.
My mother said he was on the throne.
“He is.”
How can he love her, then?”
The first Alpha answered in a low voice.
For the throne took his body.
Kael’s blood turned to ice.
“And his mind?
“Still on it.”
Lyra moved nearer.
“Then he is not the enemy.
The first Alpha glanced at her.
“Almost.
Kael’s hands fisted.
And then we save him.
The first Alpha shook his head.
“You can’t.”
Why?”
“Because the only way to free him from the throne…”
He stopped.
…is to kill him.”
Kael stopped talking.
Eren whispered suddenly:
“Dad.
Kael glanced down.
“Don’t listen to him.”
“Who to?”
Eren gestured toward the darkness.
“Gramps.
Kael tensed.
A man’s voice echoed through the chamber.
“Eren.
The boy shivered.
And still the voice went on.
“You’ve gotten big.
Kael’s eyes flared.
“Reveal yourself.”
From the darkness a figure rose slowly.
One guy.
Tall.
Wide open.
His hair was white, and fell over his forehead.
His face was older than Kael’s, but undeniably the same.
Same jaw.
Identical eyes.
The same scar on the eye brow.
Kael couldn’t breathe.
“Father.”
The man glanced at him.
“My son,”
Kael showed his claws.
You’ve been watching us.
“Yeh.”
“You let them play us.
I tried to stop them.
“Seven years ago?”
The man’s face was cracked.
“I didn’t do it.
Lyra took a step forward.
Did you make Kael turn me down?
The man stared at her.
“No.”
Kael’s eyes went wide.
“But why do I remember doing it then?”
“Because you did.”
Lyra’s face went white.
Kael glanced at his father.
“You said I had a choice.”
I did.”
Which choice?”
Lyra’s father stared at her.
“Save her.”
Kael clenched his jaw.
I turned her down because you threatened her life.
“No,”
The answer left him stunned.
His father moved nearer.
“The throne scared her.”
Kael halted dead.
“You had it under control already.”
“No.”
His father tapped his own chest.
I was trapped.”
“Then who gave me the option?”
His father stared at the ceiling.
“The throne,” she repeated.
A deep heart beat shook the chamber.
BAM.
Kael’s father looked at him.
“It wanted to know if you would give up love for power.”
Kael narrowed his eyes.
And I lost.
“No.”
His father smiled, sadly.
“You did good.
Kael glanced.
“What?”
“You picked her.”
Lyra’s eyes filled with tears.
“But he turned me down.”
He dumped you to save your life.
Kael looked at Lyra.
It was as if all the pain of seven years returned at once.
“I thought you hated my guts.
Lyra’s voice cracked.
“I thought you were after power.
Kael moved toward her.
I never did.
Hands met each other.
Their mate bond flared.
Lyra’s skin was marked again with silver.
But this time they did not spread.
They drew a crown-like symbol over her heart.
Kael’s father looked at him.
“It’s started.”
Kael whirled.
“What?”
His father looked frightened.
She’s been picked by the throne.
Lyra tensed.
“What’ does that mean?”
“That means the throne doesn’t want Kael anymore.
Kael’s heart fell.
So what does it want?
His father glanced at Lyra.
“It wants its Queen. The mountain shuddered hard. There was a crack behind Lyra. Silver light streamed through it. Eren shouted. Mother!”
Kael took hold of Lyra.
His father yelled:
“Don’t let her come into the light!”
Kael stared at him.
“Why?
His father’s face contorted in fear.
“Because when she walks in…
Silver light devoured Lyra’s feet.
“…she’ll remember what she really is.”
Kael drew her nearer.
Lyra, battle it!
She gave it her best.
“I am!
The light crept up to her waist.
Eren ran to her.
Mother!
Kael caught him with one arm.
“Keep away!”
Eren’s eyes filled with tears.
She’ll disappear!
Lyra glanced at Kael.
Tears were running down her face.
I love you.”
Kael’s heart shattered.
I love you as well.
She reached out to him.
Their fingers brushed lightly.
Then Lyra’s eyes changed quite suddenly.
Silver.
Silver all over.
She smiled.
Her smile was not it, though.
Her voice was old and serene.
“Kael Veyron.
Kael stopped in his tracks.
“You have served the throne well enough.
His father’s face turned white.
“No…” “No. Lyra was speaking for the First Luna.
“Now it’s time for you to get on your knees.”
Kael looked at his mate.
Then behind her the throne appeared.
Not in his heart.”
Not in another world.
Right there.”
And there was Lyra sitting on it.