Chapter 8 Hearts Divided
Lyra: POV
Walking back to the palace, my thoughts were in complete chaos. Everything that had happened today swirled in my mind—Elena's cryptic prophecy, my growing purification abilities, the intimate moment with Arden, the terrifying attack, and the mysterious stranger called Storm-wing.
Most confusing of all was the strange warmth I'd felt when Storm-wing touched me. It was different from my connection with Arden but equally intense, equally compelling.
"Some paths of destiny are more complex than we initially understand," Stella said quietly when I asked about her reaction to Storm-wing.
"But Soulbounds are supposed to be unique," I whispered. "How can I feel this way about two different people?"
"I don't know," Stella admitted, her voice troubled. "But Elena's prophecy mentioned something about a heart divided. Perhaps... perhaps there's more to your destiny than a simple Soulbound connection."
The thought both thrilled and terrified me. As I approached the palace, I wondered if I should tell anyone about the attack, about Storm-wing's rescue, about the growing confusion in my heart.
Returning to the palace, I found Aria waiting anxiously in my chambers. "Your Grace! I was beginning to worry—you're later than expected."
"I lost track of time in the library," I said, the lie coming easier than I'd expected.
Aria studied my face with those perceptive eyes. "Sometimes truth finds us in the most unexpected places, Your Grace. And sometimes it comes in forms we don't immediately recognize."
Her words sent a chill through me. Did she somehow know about my inner turmoil?
"Your mother has requested your presence for dinner in the crystal pavilion," Aria continued. "She seemed... eager to speak with you privately."
After the attack and Storm-wing's rescue, I needed a few moments to collect myself before facing Mother. I sat on my bed, hands still trembling slightly as I processed what had just happened.
Elena's prophecy echoed in my mind: "A destined heart sometimes splits in two, only becoming whole when facing true destiny."
I touched my chest, where both warmth and confusion still lingered, and wondered what destiny truly had in store for me.
The void cultists had called me the Star-Chosen, just as Elena had. They'd spoken of a Void Gate and needing a key. Most disturbing of all, they'd seemed to be tracking the purification energy I'd only just discovered I possessed.
"Are you alright?" Stella asked gently. "That was more dangerous than we realized."
"I'm shaken," I admitted, "but what troubles me most is this confusion in my heart. The connection I felt with Storm-wing—it was so different from Arden, yet equally powerful."
"Elena's prophecy mentioned a divided heart," Stella reminded me. "Perhaps this is what she meant."
I touched the spot where Storm-wing had helped me up, where that strange, primal warmth had flowed between us. How could I have reactions to two different men? Wasn't the Soulbound connection supposed to be unique and unmistakable?
After washing my face and changing into fresh clothes to hide any evidence of the attack, I made my way to the crystal pavilion where Mother waited.
Mother sat in the pavilion wearing a simple yet elegant gown, her expression thoughtful as she gazed at the evening stars. With a fluid gesture, she activated a privacy screen around us—a shimmering curtain of water elements that would muffle our conversation from any listeners.
"Tonight, there are no titles between us," she said softly as I joined her. "Your father is still entertaining the Emberscale emissaries with Cassius. We have time to speak freely."
After the attendant served our first course and withdrew, Mother studied me carefully. "Since Valen's arrival, you've seemed to carry the weight of our entire territory on your shoulders. And your dragon soul feels... restless. Has something happened?"
I took a deep breath, deciding honesty was my only option. "Mother, I've met my Soulbound."
Her eyes widened slightly, hope and concern warring in her expression. "Not Valen, I assume?"
"A water dragon named Arden," I explained, describing the instant connection we'd felt in the market, how Stella had practically leaped toward his dragon soul, Aquilo. "When we're together, everything feels natural and right—completely different from the discomfort I feel around Valen."
I told her about our time in the library, how our elements had merged so harmoniously, though I kept Arden's specific questions about palace security to myself.
"But there's something else," I continued, extending my palm to show the faint silver-blue light that still flickered there. "My purification abilities are growing stronger. Earlier today, I cleansed a void-contaminated squirrel, and just now..." I hesitated, then decided to trust her completely. "I was attacked by void cultists in the garden. They called me the Star-Chosen and said I was meant to be a key for something called the Void Gate."
Mother's face went pale. "Attacked? Are you hurt? How did you escape?"
"A stranger called Storm-wing saved me," I said carefully. "He seemed to know about void magic and the Star-Chosen prophecy."
"This purification ability is extremely rare in our bloodline," Mother said quietly after I'd described the rescue in detail. "The last to possess it was my grandmother, and she used it to help seal away ancient void magic centuries ago. Perhaps this explains Lord Cassius's recent interest in spending time with you—he's always been fascinated by ancient powers."
During our main course, I finally spoke what was truly in my heart. "Mother, I cannot marry Valen. Every time he touches me, I feel instinctive revulsion. Now that I know what a true connection feels like, I cannot accept a false marriage."
"But there's something that confuses me," I added hesitantly. "When Storm-wing helped me tonight, I felt... something. Not the same as with Arden, but equally powerful. Elena's prophecy mentioned a heart divided—what if there's more to my destiny than a simple Soulbound connection?"
Mother reached across to take my hands. "In my eyes, your happiness is far more important than any political alliance. A Soulbound connection is dragonkind's most precious gift and should never be sacrificed for politics."
Her expression grew distant. "When I was young, I faced a similar choice between love and duty. I ultimately chose the political union, and while I learned to respect your father, I don't want you to repeat my regrets."
"As for your confusion about multiple connections," she continued thoughtfully, "there are ancient legends about dragons with multiple destined paths. Perhaps your role as the Star-Chosen means your heart must be large enough to encompass different types of bonds."
