s of the Past, Fi

a's

's aftermath lingered in the heavy silence of my chamber, and even the sunligh

ad shifted irrevocably. I was no longer just Aria Blaken the orphaned girl from a fearful village. I was the heir to a power

n entered without waiting for an invitation, his crimson eyes sh

," he said simply, clos

my limbs despite the adrenaline stil

t was a test of strength, yes, but also of trust

come easily for me, Lucien. E

re softness touching hi

etween us like a

f this was fate, and how much was choice? Was I truly destined to be bound to L

s more you need to know about your bloodline, Aria. About wh

for him t

g into a story that would chan

, and betrayal. Lysandra was a powerful sorceress from your bloodline, gifted with magic that could shift the

ned. "But the w

to maintain control, cursed Lysandra's bloodline to silence her magic forever. The curse

ght of this knowledge set

wers were hidden," I said,

en. You carry the key to breaking the curse, bu

ions were clear my magic could save or destr

on trial was necessary to see if you can control t

hand, its runes faintly glowing in

consumes us all,

his words made

than ever, teaching me to channel the raw energy in my veins, to wield the magic that o

, Lucien took me to a secluded part of the palace gardens

It's connection. To the past, to each

mine in his. The blood bond pulsed beneath my skin, a

Lysandra's legacy had entrusted to me. It responded a gentl

p tightened,

ce low and encouragi

er of progress, shadows stirr

had ruled every whispered story. The night my parents disappeared,

harm, murmuring words I had never understo

choed a fragment of a lu

n inherited power. It was a legacy of

back. "You're strugglin

ant to admit the

t will always haunt you, Aria. Bu

expected understanding. A glimpse of the man be

awake, I pondered o

him? Could I

artled me. Varion entered,

e said grimly. "Dark forces sense th

hadows were closing in

kly. I will summon the council. Allies and enem

heavily. I was no longer a c

a beacon i

me was jus