CHAPTER 14 - THE KING'S DECREE
The path to the Oracle wound tightly between towering, silver-barked trees. Their leaves whispered above Lyria and Aiden, the forest humming with tension-as if it sensed a storm gathering beyond mortal reach.
Lyria walked steadily, though exhaustion gnawed at her. The earlier surge of her wolf instincts left her shaky, and the silver flame under her skin flickered unpredictably. Aiden stayed close, his hand hovering near her back without touching-protective, but respectful of her space.
The crater wolf moved quietly ahead, but its posture was rigid, ears constantly twitching. It felt dangerous, too.
Aiden glanced at Lyria. "How's your breathing? Still steady?"
"Better now," she said softly.
He exhaled in relief. But neither missed the way her eyes glimmered faintly-wolf and flame swirling together.
Aiden hesitated before adding, "You were incredible back there. Scary," he admitted with a gentle smile, "but incredible."
Lyria managed a small, weary smile. "I didn't mean to lose control."
"You didn't," Aiden said. "You fought it. And you won."
Those few words settled something inside her-a small anchor in a growing storm.
But the quiet did not last long.
The crater wolf suddenly froze, head snapping up.
"Something comes."
Lyria's heart clenched. "Seraphina?"
"No," the wolf growled. "This scent is older."
A distant horn echoed through the forest-deep, metallic, and unmistakably royal.
Aiden paled. "That's my father's horn."
Lyria's breath hitched. "The king is here?"
"No," Aiden said, scanning the trees. "That sound... it means a royal decree is being read. Someone is broadcasting it through the forest."
The forest dimmed.
And between two trees, a shimmer of gold light gathered-forming a translucent figure clad in kingly robes. It was not the king in flesh but a projected messenger-a magical recording created by the crown.
King Everhart's stern face flickered in the air.
"Aiden Everhart. My son. My heir."
Aiden stiffened.
Lyria felt something cold curl around her spine.
The king's voice boomed through the trees.
"By the authority of the Everhart throne, I issue an immediate decree."
Aiden's jaw tightened. "Here it comes."
Lyria swallowed hard.
The king continued, tone unforgiving.
"A hunter of unknown origin, calling herself Lyria, has illegally infiltrated the company of the Crown Prince. She possesses unregistered magic and has attacked royal forces."
Lyria's blood ran cold.
"That's not true," she whispered.
Aiden stepped closer to her. "He's repeating whatever Seraphina told him."
"Therefore," the king said, "I declare her a threat to the realm."
Lyria felt the world tilt.
A threat.
To the entire kingdom.
Aiden's hand tightened at his side. "Father, no..."
The king's phantom voice rose.
"All royal soldiers are ordered to capture the girl alive. She is to be brought to the palace for interrogation and containment."
Lyria stumbled backward.
Aiden caught her arm. "Lyria-hey-stay with me."
She shook her head, eyes wide. "I'm not dangerous. They can't- They can't lock me up."
Aiden's voice was fierce. "I won't let that happen. I swear it to you."
But the decree was not finished.
The king's projection turned, gaze burning with an unnatural intensity.
"And as for my son-"
Aiden froze.
The projection continued:
"Prince Aiden is hereby ordered to return to the capital at once. He is to cease all travel, abandon all unauthorized companions, and report directly to Lady Seraphina for protective arrangements."
Lyria felt her stomach twist.
"Protective arrangement?"
Aiden cursed under his breath. "That means she's taking control of my movements."
The king's voice grew ice-cold.
"Failure to comply will be considered treason against the crown."
Aiden's breath stilled.
Lyria's heart dropped. "Aiden..."
The projection faded into golden dust, leaving a suffocating silence behind.
Aiden stood perfectly still for three seconds-
Then he tore the royal crest from his cloak and threw it to the ground.
The crater wolf blinked in surprise.
"Aiden?" Lyria whispered.
He turned to her. His eyes-normally warm and steady-blazed with defiance.
"I'm not abandoning you."
Her breath shook. "But your father-"
"-is wrong," Aiden snapped. "He has been listening to Seraphina's poison for too long."
"Aiden... he said treason,"
"Let him," Aiden said, stepping closer. "Let him call me a traitor. Let him send every guard in the kingdom. I don't care."
He took Lyria's hands gently in his.
"What I care about is keeping you safe."
Her vision blurred with tears she didn't want to shed.
"Aiden... I never meant for you to risk everything."
He smiled softly. "You didn't force this. I choose you."
The crater wolf cleared its throat-if wolves could clear throats.
"The king's decree means danger from all sides," it said.
"You must reach the Oracle. Now."
Aiden nodded without hesitation. "Lead the way."
The wolf darted ahead.
Aiden gently squeezed Lyria's hand before they followed.
"You're not alone," he told her. "Not anymore."
Lyria took a shaky breath, steadying herself.
She didn't know what waited ahead-
Only that her wolf, her flame, and her bond with Aiden were all tied to the path before them.
Together, hand in hand, they ran into the deep forest-
while the king's hunters gathered behind them,
and destiny tightened its grip around their hearts.
