shadows kiss

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*The Queen's War Preparations*

In the depths of her chamber, the Queen's heart burned with a fierce, aching love—each beat pounding for her lost daughter, Zalria. Her hands trembled slightly as she traced the worn pendant around her neck, the faint stain of her daughter's dried blood a cruel reminder of what had been taken. The chamber was filled with the sharp scent of herbs and burning incense, an ancient ritual underway.

Her eyes scanned the rows of soldiers—worn but loyal, hardened by years of training. Yet, her gaze lingered on the young witches who gathered near the cauldrons, mixing potent potions, weaving protective spells, and enchanting weapons with ancient magic. Flames danced as the Queen conjured fire to dance above her palms, her voice a soft chant that stirred the elements.

"I will not lose her," she whispered fiercely. "Not again."

Her love was a wild storm, raw and untamable, driving her to prepare her kingdom for a war that would shake realms. She watched the soldiers train—steel clashing, arrows flying, magic crackling through the air—and she wept silently for the daughter she could not hold.

Memories of Zalria's laughter haunted her, mingling with the cold dread of her absence. The Queen's voice cracked as she spoke to herself, "Come back to me, my child. I will tear this world apart to bring you home."

---

*back at the inn*

In the dimly lit room of an old house, tension hung thick like smoke. Lyren's eyes were dark with suspicion as he faced Lyra.

"Where is Zalria?" His voice was low but filled with sharp urgency. "You say she left. But why? She wouldn't abandon her own blood. Not with Nathaniel sick."

Lyra's eyes flickered, her lips curling into a faint, almost cruel smile. "She left because she couldn't bear the weight anymore. She chose herself over her family—selfishness is her true nature."

Lyren's jaw clenched. "I don't believe you."

Her voice softened, turning honey-smooth as she stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "You want to trust me, don't you? Deep down, you're tired of the lies, the pain. Let me show you the truth."

Her fingers brushed his cheek, sending an electric shiver down his spine. She leaned in, her breath warm against his lips, eyes searching his. Just as she was about to kiss him, the door burst open.

Nathaniel stormed in, his face a mask of rage and betrayal.

"Lyren!" he shouted, voice breaking with fury. "what are you doing,? How could you betray Zalria like this? She's a stranger! A liar!"

Lyren pulled back, torn between the woman before him and the brother's fierce loyalty. The room trembled with the weight of unspoken truths and shattered trust.

How can you not see she's using you, are you so blind, Nathaniel said with utter disbelief.

---

As Lyra's lips hovered just inches from Lyren's, a faint, unnatural glow flickered in her eyes—shifting from warm brown to a piercing, cold silver. The color change was subtle but chilling, like moonlight slicing through darkness. It was a sign—Lyra was weaving a spell, silently binding Lyren's mind, bending his trust with magic he couldn't yet see.

Nathaniel's gaze snapped to her eyes, his heart pounding. He caught the glint of the spell's shimmer in her iris—the cruel manipulation hidden beneath her soft words.

*Nathaniel:* (voice low, urgent) "Lyren, don't—"

But it was almost too late. The spell's threads began to tighten, wrapping around Lyren's thoughts like invisible chains. His breath hitched, confusion mixing with a sudden, overwhelming warmth toward Lyra.

His eyes met Nathaniel's, wide with dawning fear. The warning was clear: something was very wrong.

---

Lyra's silver eyes held him captive, glowing with an otherworldly light as the spell wove its silent web around Lyren's mind. His breath caught, heart pounding—not with doubt, but with a sudden rush of overwhelming emotion.

Without warning, Lyren broke away from Nathaniel's shocked gaze and sprinted toward Lyra, his voice trembling but desperate.

Lyren,suddenly confessed,"I... I can't hide it anymore. I love you, Lyra. I've loved you from the moment I saw you."

His words spilled out like a confession long buried, raw and urgent.

Nathaniel's eyes widened in disbelief and fury.

*Nathaniel:* said almost screaming "Lyren, no! Don't look into her eyes—she's using magic to fool you!"

But Lyren's smile was soft, eyes still glowing faintly silver, as if the spell had sealed his heart completely.

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