Luna Everleigh's POV
***
Rhydian's hands were clenched at his sides, his muscles tense beneath his shirt.
"I don't care what an old book says," I snapped, rising to my feet. "I am not a curse."
Nalia sighed. "That's not what I'm saying."
"Then what are you saying?" My voice cracked.
She hesitated. "The prophecy spoke of a descendant who would either bring salvation or destruction. No one ever knew which."
I felt sick.
Rhydian turned away, his shoulders tight with tension. I took a step toward him, my heart pounding.
"You don't believe that," I said.
He didn't answer.
A hollow feeling settled in my chest.
"You think I'm dangerous," I whispered.
His hands curled into fists, but still, he said nothing.
My throat tightened.
Before I could say more, the door burst open.
Kael strode in, his expression grim. "We have a problem."
Rhydian turned sharply. "What is it?"
Kael's voice was clipped, urgent. "The Silver Fang Society has found a way into the kingdom."
A sharp breath left me.
"Are they inside?" Rhydian demanded.
Kael shook his head. "Not yet. But they're at the border. And they didn't come alone."
I stepped forward. "How many?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "An army."
A chill ran down my spine.
Rhydian inhaled slowly, his hands flexing at his sides.
"Prepare the warriors," he said. "We hold the line."
Kael nodded once before disappearing down the hall.
The room was silent again, but it was different now. The weight of what was coming pressed against me, against us.
I turned to Rhydian, my pulse erratic.
His golden eyes locked onto mine, and for the first time, I saw it—true, unshaken fear.
I reached for him before I could stop myself, my fingers brushing against his forearm. "Rhydian…"
His body was rigid beneath my touch, but he didn't pull away.
Instead, his hand covered mine.
His voice was raw when he spoke.
"No matter what happens," he murmured, "I will protect you."
Something inside me cracked.
I exhaled shakily. "Even if I am what they say I am?"
His grip tightened, his golden eyes burning into mine.
"Especially then."
A lump formed in my throat.
But before I could say anything else, a distant horn echoed through the air.
A sound that sent every instinct inside me into high alert.
A sound that signaled the beginning of war.
***
(To be continued…)