Chapter 203 - Few Things Apart

Chapter 203 - Few Things Apart
KIERAN
The magic circle flickered out like dying embers. The red hue that had lit the sky vanished, leaving only stillness.
Then, Adeline’s body dropped from the air.
I lunged forward, catching her mid-fall.
“Adeline!” I called, shaking her lightly, my voice cracking with panic.
Her head lolled against my chest pale, silent, motionless.
Ivan hurried to gather the remaining spell markings, the relics, and scattering the sand from the circle. “We need to move,” he said quickly. “We can’t stay here. Lykos might already be at war.”
My eyes didn’t leave Adeline’s face. “She’s not awake,” I said hoarsely.
Ivan looked at her briefly. “It’ll take time. She’ll return once the Helix settles within her.”
But I didn’t move. My fingers trembled where they brushed her cheek. The world around me blurred, the smell of ash and magic fading into the memory of another battlefield. Smoke, fire, screams. Liora, her eyes closed. The Helix sword had been drawn not by hatred, but by fear.
I had held her the same way I’m holding Adeline. But all I could see was that day. Her body limped. Blood stained my hands.
Her last look not anger, but heartbreak.
Tears slid silently down my face. I whispered, voice shaking,
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you. Even when your soul stood before me, I couldn’t see it was you.”
Ivan stopped, watching me. I didn’t speak, but the weight of what he felt lingered in his eyes. He, too, could sense Liora’s essence within Adeline.
I finally rose, cradling her against my chest. Ivan led the way out of the dark forest as the fog thinned around us.

TWO DAYS LATER
The ride back was long and quiet. Adeline haven’t woken up since then. When we reached Lykos, the once-bustling city was now in ruins.
The protests had turned into bloodshed.
Broken banners littered the ground, torches lay scattered, and the stench of fire and death filled the air.
I reined my horse sharply, eyes wide at the destruction.
Ivan swallowed hard. “They turned on each other,” he muttered. “The guards… the people… and maybe the beasts before they left.”
He looked at Adeline, still unconscious. “I’ll take her to Eloise’s mansion. It’s safer there. She needs rest.”
I hesitated. My heart wanted to stay near her, but duty and guilt warred inside me. I gave a short nod. “Fine. Keep her safe, Ivan.”
Ivan took her gently from my arms, placing her in front of him on the horse. “We’ll meet again.”
And with a kick, he rode off toward the Duchy.
I rode through the shattered gates.
Smoke still curled in the air. The palace courtyard was strewn with debris, broken armor, bloodied flags, and the faint metallic scent of death.
I rushed inside, boots echoing against the marble floors.
Almost immediately, the sound of weapons being drawn surrounded me.
“Spirit beast!” someone shouted.
I froze until the torchlight illuminated my face.
Cassius lowered his blade first, relief flooding his expression. “It’s him! It’s Kieran!”
The guards dropped their weapons, bowing slightly.
Then Cassius was already at his side, pulling him into a rough, relieved embrace. “Where have you been… your marks… they’re gone.”
Darius came next, now visibly shaken. He stepped forward and hugged me firmly. “We lost too many… too damn many.”
My heart tightened. “What happened?”
Darius stepped back, weary eyes dark. “The protests turned to riots. The beasts attacked the outer quarter. The people thought the witches summoned them. We tried to hold the line…”
He trailed off, voice heavy.
I swallowed. “And Alistair? Where is he?”
Darius exchanged a long look with Cassius before answering, voice low.
“He’s wounded and sick, he has left the council room since the attack ended.”
Cassius added grimly, “He’s not the same. You should see him yourself.”
The heavy double doors creaked open.
I entered first, flanked by Darius and Cassius. The room smelled faintly of medicine and smoke. Curtains were drawn halfway, letting slanted beams of gray light fall across the bed where King Alistair lay, pale and broken.
Beside him stood Kaira, eyes swollen from crying. Amelia sat near the bedside, fingers tightly clasped, whispering a prayer.
Fiona lingered quietly at the far end, grief pressed into her every breath.
The moment they saw me, Kaira rose quickly and ran to me. “You’re alive,” she breathed, clinging to me for a heartbeat. I nodded gently, my eyes scanning the room.
Then Amelia gasped softly, noticing my skin.
“Your marks… they’re gone.”
Fiona’s eyes widened. “The curse, it broke?”
I hesitated, opening my mouth to speak, but a weak, raspy voice cut through the silence.
“...Kieran.”
Everyone turned.
Alistair was awake, his eyes half-open, the ghost of his old strength flickering for the last time.
I immediately crossed the room, kneeling beside the bed. “Alistair,” I said softly.
Alistair’s lips curved into a faint, tired smile.
“I didn’t think… you'd ever call my name in that tone,” he whispered, forcing each word out. “But perhaps… this is my punishment. My karma.”
Alistair raised a trembling hand to him. “I destroyed what I should've protected. I turned my blade against my blood and let greed blind me.”
He coughed, a spatter of blood staining the corner of his mouth.
“The throne never favored me, Kieran. It devoured me. And now…”
He took a ragged breath.
“Now, death stands kindly by my side.”
The chamber went still.
I swallowed hard, lowering my gaze. “Rest. Don’t—”
But Alistair cut me off with a weak shake of his head. “No… I will rest only when I know the throne belongs to hands that can heal what I broke.”
His eyes fluttered toward me. “You must take it. Rule, and make peace where I sowed ruin.”
I froze. My lips parted, but no sound came. Finally, I said, voice quiet yet firm,
“I can’t.”
Cassius leaned toward Darius, whispering under his breath, “I knew he’d say that.”
Alistair frowned faintly. “Can’t?”
I rose to my feet, looking down at my brother. “Another kingdom awaits me,” I said quietly. “One that calls for me. One where my kind belongs.”
My eyes shifted, finding Amelia’s gaze.
Her lips parted slightly as the truth dawned on her, Lunvaris.
Cassius glanced between us, realization striking him too.
I continued, “That kingdom has waited long to have me as their Alpha. And now, it’s time I return to it.”
Amelia’s lips curled into a soft, almost disbelieving smile. For the first time in days, hope glimmered in her eyes.
Alistair coughed again, weaker now. His gaze drifted to Darius. “Then… you.”
Darius stood silent for a long moment. He looked at Fiona, the woman standing quietly in the shadows, and then back at the king.
“No, Your Majesty,” he said finally. “Lykos would never accept the woman I love as their queen.”
The room fell silent again. Then, slowly, everyone turned to Cassius.
He blinked, taken aback. “Me?”