The first golden light of dawn spilled through the arched windows of the castle, casting long shadows down its quiet hallways. Liam stood silently by one of the narrow windows, watching the world awaken beneath the horizon. The memory of the previous night—Airam's head on his shoulder, the way her breathing slowed until it matched the rhythm of the wind—lingered in his mind like a gentle song.
He hadn't slept.
Not out of duty this time, but because every time he closed his eyes, her face reappeared in that soft moonlight. Her confessions still echoed in his ears—"Garden, books, and someone I love." It wasn't just the vulnerability of her words that haunted him. It was how closely they mirrored his own unspoken desires.
A soft knock sounded behind him.
He turned, expecting Lara, but it was one of the royal guards, out of breath. "Sir Liam, Queen Airam is being summoned to the western tower. Urgently. Something's been discovered."
Without a word, Liam was already moving.
Airam was already halfway up the spiral staircase of the western tower when Liam caught up with her. She was back in her formal attire—a deep crimson gown with gold embroidery—but the blindfold had been replaced with a thin veil that barely masked her striking eyes. The sight of her uncovered gaze made Liam falter for a split second, but he quickly matched her pace.
"What's happened?" he asked.
"They found something in the sealed chamber. Something… strange."
The western tower had long been considered a relic of the old regime—off-limits, sealed after the previous king's death. But that morning, a group of workers repairing storm damage had accidentally broken through a weakened wall, revealing a hidden room.
The chamber was circular, with ancient runes carved into the stone walls. In the center stood a pedestal, and upon it—a book. No dust. No signs of age. It looked as though it had been placed there only moments ago.
Lara stood at the entrance, her brow furrowed. "No one's touched it yet. But the room… it's humming."
Indeed, a soft thrumming filled the air, just at the edge of hearing.
Airam stepped forward, and the sound immediately deepened, like the heartbeat of the tower itself had grown louder in her presence.
Liam instinctively reached out. "Airam, wait."
But she was already placing her hand on the book.
The moment her fingers brushed the leather, the entire room lit up with golden light. The runes on the wall flared, and the pedestal split open, revealing a hidden compartment below the book.
Inside was a crystal—small, glowing with the same light that danced across Airam's fingertips.
A voice boomed through the chamber. Not one they could hear with their ears, but one they felt inside their bones.
"The Seer has awakened."
The light vanished as suddenly as it came. Airam stumbled back, caught by Liam just in time.
"What was that?" she whispered, her voice shaky.
Lara stepped in, her eyes wide with disbelief. "That was Old Magic. Sealed for centuries."
Airam turned toward Liam. "I'm not normal. I was never normal."
Liam didn't speak. He simply held her tighter.
They returned to her chambers, the crystal now resting in a locked box on her desk. The book lay beside it, its cover now marked with a symbol that hadn't been there before—an eye, surrounded by stars.
As Lara stepped out to summon the castle scholar, Liam lingered by the fireplace. Airam stood by the window, still staring out.
"You okay?" he asked gently.
Airam didn't answer immediately. "What if this changes everything? What if I really am... something I'm not ready to be?"
Liam crossed the room, his voice low. "Whatever you are, I'll follow."
She turned to face him, the firelight flickering in her eyes. "Even if I turn out to be dangerous?"
"I'll still follow."
A quiet moment passed between them.
Then a shriek cut through the hallway outside.
Liam and Airam rushed out, swords drawn. Guards were already running toward the eastern wing of the castle.
Lara met them halfway, her face pale.
"The scholar... he opened the book."
Liam's stomach dropped. "And?"
Lara swallowed hard. "He's gone. There's nothing left but ash."
As gasps and confusion filled the corridor, a cold wind rushed through the castle, and the book—though locked in Airam's room—slammed shut on its own, echoing like a final heartbeat.
And far beyond the castle walls, in the shadows of a forgotten ruin, a figure cloaked in smoke lifted its head and smiled.