Crown Of Moonlight: The Lycan King's Betrayal

moment's reprieve from the suffocating confines of stone walls and the endless questions circling her mind. The cool night ai

the courtyard. Her thoughts returned to Darien's cryptic warning. The shadows... the

ntrance to the eastern wing, their low voices carrying through the stillness. Lyra recognized one of

urtyard, careful to remain in the shadows. She watched as a cloaked figure emerged from the eastern wing, their movemen

ordinary visitor. Lyra turned to retreat into the for

d her reaction. The King's sharp gaze flickered to the

t here?" he demanded,

is gaze with measured calm. "The apothe

but his tone softened slightly. "You shou

ing her chin slightly. "But

you?" His e

s not natural. I believe it carries a magical curse, but I can't

formation you need," Aldric i

sed to back down. "Then I'll work with what I have. But if there'

The weight of his gaze was almost unbearable, but Lyra held firm.

, though his tone lacked conviction. "Focus

his cloak billowing behind him. Lyra watched hi

clouded to focus on her work. Instead, she wandered the corridors, her steps quiet against the

tinctively, her curiosity outweighing her caution. The sound led her to a nar

amber stretched before her, its walls lined with shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. A

tincts warning her to leave. But befor

uldn't b

deep and laced wit

eplied, her voice steady despite the une

rked by sharp features and piercing green eyes. He was younger

d. "Which is more than I can say for

her curiosity overriding her cauti

"Research. The same thing you're likely doing. But unlike you, I'

rough her, but Lyra refused to let it show. "You

re to. But that knowledge won't help you

ng to save someone's life. If you kn

"The poison is ancient," he said finally. "A creation of the witches from t

repeated, her

ained. "It twists the soul. Even if your

s hit her like a blow.

id, his voice grim. "And because the

footsteps echoed through the corridor. The man's eyes widene

et," he w

ning the room. One of them spoke, his voice gru

footsteps fading into the distance. The man

," he said. "Leave this p

ied firmly. "Not un

better be careful. There are forces at wo

ut of the room, leaving Lyra alone

herself to leave, her mind racing. The man's warning echoed in her tho

cover the truth. If Aldric wouldn't tell her

ss held, she would uncover