The Mask of Eternal Dawn

Caelan-the brief encounter in the hall, the weight of his presence, the flash of vulnerability she had seen in his eyes. It had been a fleeting moment, gone befor

ds. It wasn't just a relic; it was a part of something far larger, something ancient and powerful. She had spent hours studying it since the banquet, tracing the delica

a key-she was

rt heavy with the weight of her decision. She had no plan, no clear idea of what she was doing, but she knew she couldn't ignore the pull

massive gates loomed before her, their iron bars glinting in the moonlight. It had always been a daunting sight, the towering walls

ermitted inside the prince's private quarters, she had an intuition about where to go. The servants' paths, the hidd

She paused at the entrance to the royal wing, glancing around to ensure no one was watching. Th

eavy wooden door, adorned with intricate carvings of r

itating for a moment before pushing it open. Th

furnished-an old bed draped in heavy, faded curtains, a desk cluttered with scrolls and papers, and shelves filled with books that seemed untouched by time. But it

mirror Lyra had ever seen. There was no reflection in it-at least, not of anything she could understand. Instead,

there was

essed in a simple tunic, the mask still fixed to his face. It was strange to see him without the regal attire of the b

unguarded, and yet still so distant. The mask he wore was a constant reminder of the curse, a barrier that kept him isolated from th

n behind the mask-locked onto hers, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with tension. He didn't spe

a little hoarse, as though it ha

, no script for this moment. All she knew was that she couldn't l

er voice barely above a whisper. "T

to touch the mask that covered his face. "Help me? No one

itated, then reached into her cloak, pulling out the mask sh

k, and his expression darkene

the growing tension. "I believe it's connected to t

ook a step back, his eyes widening beneath the ma

dangerous," she said softly. "I believ

the mask and spoke in a low, almost defeated tone. "If you are right, then you are the only one who can save me. But be wa

r resolve hardening.

im, Caelan gave a slight nod, a si

knew that her life woul