~Kaida Orion POV~
I pressed the ring into Lunara's trembling palm and watched as her fingers closed around it. The pulse of silver light ran through her small hand and into the archive chest's lid. Moon Priest circled us, murmuring blessings.
The pounding on the shrine door rang louder.
Outside, voices screamed: "Break! Burn it if you must!"
Biat gripped my arm. "We must act now."
I whispered to Lunara: "You're safe with me." She nodded solemnly.
Moon Priest raised his staff. "Speak the covenant aloud, Kaida."
I inhaled, feeling the torchlight flicker as incense smoke curled upward.
"I, Kaida of the Silverline, claim Lunara as true heir. I invoke the river shrine and vow bond between us, not by crown ink, but by birthright blood and root oath, I swear to shield her with my life and line."
The ring glowed, roots etched in the stone floor beneath us lit with silver sparks and the chest pulsed.
