Chapter 20: The Shadow of the Citadel

The lower archives of the Obsidian Citadel occupied the oldest part of the mountain.

Some corridors predated the Blackwood dynasty. Their walls contained veins of iron that interfered with projection magic, making the archives one of the few locations where co

Chapter 21: The Secret Sister

The revelation struck me with enough force to wake every spark beneath my skin.

“My mother’s sister?” I whispered.

The lower archives seemed to contract around us. Ancient shelves rose on both sides, their shadows stretching across the stone floor. The leather-bound

Chapter 22: The Gathering Storm

The Supreme Citadel’s war room filled within twenty minutes.

Commanders entered wearing half-fastened armor, carrying maps, field reports, and communication stones. The celebration banners from my coronation still hung in the upper corridors, but below them soldiers