Chapter

183

Three years later

Aurora sat beneath the shade of a towering oak tree, her eyes softening as she watched Elyra toddle through the meadow. The child's silver hair caught the sunlight, shimmering as though the heavens themselves had blessed her. Cassian crouched a few paces away, grinning as Elyra giggled and reached for a butterfly that flitted just beyond her tiny hands.

"She's fearless," Cassian said, his voice filled with pride.

"She'll need to be," Aurora replied, her tone both admiring and apprehensive.

As Elyra clapped her hands in delight, a burst of radiant light erupted around her. The butterfly darted away, startled, and Cassian staggered slightly, shielding his eyes. The grass beneath Elyra's feet glowed faintly before fading. "Again?" Aurora murmured, rising to her feet.

Elyra looked up, her wide, innocent eyes shimmering with an otherworldly brilliance. "Mama, shiny!"

Aurora knelt beside her, cupping her daughter's small face. "Elyra, we've talked about this. You need to keep the shiny inside."

Elyra pouted, her lip trembling. "It wants out."

Cassian approached, placing a steadying hand on Aurora's shoulder. "She doesn't understand yet. She's just a child, Aurora." Aurora sighed, pulling Elyra into her arms. "I know. But the Pact isn't something she can play with. If she loses control..."noveldrama

"She won't," Cassian interrupted firmly. "We'll teach her. She has us."

Elyra giggled, oblivious to her parents' concerns, and reached for a nearby flower. As her tiny fingers brushed the petals, another pulse of light rippled outward. Aurora exchanged a worried glance with Cassian. "She's going to need more than us," Aurora whispered.