The council chamber felt colder than it had moments ago.
Whispers bounced off the marble walls, a chorus of disbelief, fear, and curiosity.
All eyes were on me.
Zayn stayed close, his hand brushing mine constantly, grounding me.
Azael lingered nearby, protective but cautious, as though sensing every possibility of danger.
Lady Celestine of the House of Vaylor stood at the far end, her emerald gown gleaming under the chandelier light. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, never left me.
The Queen Mother stepped forward, her robes rustling, every movement radiating authority.
"Princess Maya," she announced, voice echoing, "if the First Line has truly awakened, then it must be proven. The Council must witness it."
A murmur ran through the chamber.
I swallowed hard, feeling the energy surge beneath my skin. It responded to my heartbeat, pulsing like a living thing.
"You want to see?" I asked quietly, though my voice rang through the chamber.
lady Celestine smirked faintly. "I hope you're ready. For if you fail, the consequences will be… unforgiving."
I let the glow in my veins rise, letting it pool in my hands. The air around me hummed, warm and electric.
"Demonstrate your power," the Queen Mother commanded.
I lifted my hands slowly. The energy followed, spreading outward in thin streams of blue light. It wrapped around the air, bending slightly as if listening to me.
The council gasped.
Even Lady Celestine's smile faltered slightly, replaced with intrigue.
"You see, Princess Maya," Celestine said, stepping forward, "true power isn't just light. It is control. Can you wield it… or will it consume you?"
I focused, drawing on the First Line energy pulsing in my veins. My hands glowed brighter, the blue light stretching outward, filling the room with warmth and energy.
I felt the pulse of the palace beneath me, the heartbeat of the ancient crown, the whispers of my ancestors.
I let it flow.
A table in the chamber lifted slowly, hovering inches above the ground. Council members froze mid-gasp.
I directed the energy further, shaping it gently. A sphere of light hovered in front of me, glowing with the same soft blue as my veins. It spun slowly, perfectly balanced.
Celestine's eyes widened slightly. "Interesting… very interesting."
Zayn's hand on mine tightened. "Maya… it's beautiful," he whispered.
I nodded, letting the sphere dissolve slowly. The glow in my hands dimmed but didn't vanish completely — still alive, still potent.
The Queen Mother's expression was unreadable. She leaned slightly forward, studying me like a scholar studying a rare manuscript.
"Impressive," she said quietly. "But do not forget — control is just as important as strength. One mistake, Princess… and the power you wield could destroy more than this chamber."
Celestine's voice cut in, sharp and precise. "Indeed. And the House of Vaylor does not tolerate recklessness. I suggest you remember that."
I met her gaze steadily. "I understand."
She smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly, and stepped back. But the tension in her eyes didn't leave.
Azael finally spoke, voice low but steady. "This is only the beginning. They will test you in ways we cannot yet imagine."
Zayn's fingers brushed mine again. "Whatever happens, we face it together."
I looked around the chamber, feeling the energy pulse within me, feeling my heart steady despite the fear, despite the whispers and the tension.
And I realized something.
I wasn't just standing before the Council.
I wasn't just proving myself.
I was claiming my place.
The Queen Mother straightened, her eyes narrowing. "Princess Maya… the Council is satisfied with this demonstration. But know this — the next test will not be so forgiving."
Celestine's eyes glimmered as she added softly, "And I will ensure you understand the true cost of the First Line."
My chest tightened.
The challenge was clear.
The game had just begun.
And somewhere deep inside, the pulse of the First Line answered.
I am ready.
---