They camped by the edge of the Vale, the twin blades resting beside Elaria like guardians. The cold wind whispered louder now, as if the world had felt her choice.
Kael sat across from her, watching the fire. "Taking both blades… that wasn't supposed to be possible."
Elaria met his gaze. "Maybe I'm not what the curse expected."
He didn't argue. But his eyes held something heavy.
"You changed," he said. "Since the forest. Since the visions."
"I remembered who I am," she replied. "And what they took from me."
A shadow passed over the moon. Kael stood instantly.
"We're not alone."
From the mist stepped a woman in golden armor, eyes burning with light.
"Elaria of Lunaris," she called. "By order of Queen Althea, you are to surrender and be judged for treason."
Elaria rose slowly, blades at her sides. "Althea is not my queen. She's my aunt. And she stole a crown that wasn't hers."
The knight's sword hissed from its sheath. "Then you leave me no choice."
Kael stepped forward, shadows rising behind him. "You won't touch her."
The knight smiled. "You really think you can stop me, Shadow Prince?"
Elaria stepped between them. "No. But I can."
And then the blades flared in her hands—one glowing white, one glowing black.
And the forest lit up with power not seen in generations.