Chapter Two: The Forbidden Door
Amara had never seen her father afraid.
Not when storms destroyed the eastern villages.
Not when Valedor's armies gathered at the northern border.
Not even when an assassin's arrow struck the throne beside his head.
But when she entered the Great Hall that night, King Aldren was standing before the ancient map of Elyria with both hands pressed against the table.
And he was trembling.
The moment he saw her, his expression hardened.
“Leave us.”
The guards bowed and disappeared.
Lina started to follow them.
“Not you,” Amara said.
Her father looked at Lina.
“Very well.”
Amara approached the table.
“What happened?”
The king did not answer.
Instead, he looked toward the enormous windows.
Beyond them, the crimson glow still stained the northern sky.
“You heard it, didn't you?”
Amara's heart skipped.
“Heard what?”
“The voice.”...