Chapter 142: Through Clear Skies
KIERYGAN’S POV
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Mirael let out a sickening cackle just before it began. A thick, foul rain fell-dark as tar, reeking of rot. It clung to everything it touched, seeping into cracks, eating through shields. My wings flared instinctively, curling around Eirlys as the stench burned my nostrils.
Guards surged forward, shouting as they herded guests toward cover-their voices swallowed by the storm. Wolves snarled, vampires leapt, witches hurled spells at Mirael’s shadowed form. But every strike slipped through her like smoke. She only laughed, sharp and mocking, reveling in their futility.
And then… light. Blinding, searing light burst past the shelter of my wings.
“Eirlys!” I roared, snapping my head down to her.
I snarled, reaching for her-but she kept walking. Straight toward Mirael.
Her glow flared brighter with every step, until she stood before the phantom itself. Mirael tilted her head, lips curling in a mockery of pity.
“How does it feel, having everything ruined?” she hissed, her face twisting into a snarl. “That’s how I felt when you took everything from me.”
Eirlys didn’t flinch. She only stared back, her silence sharper than any retort.
Mirael’s laugh cracked like ice. “What will you do now, little Mothwit? You can’t touch me.”
But then-Eirlys’ wings unfurled. White and vast, edged in searing light. Her violet eyes blazed gold, burning through the storm, through me.
Finally, she spoke. Her voice was steady, resonant, undeniable. “I see you.”
She raised her hand and pressed it against the phantom’s chest.
Mirael’s eyes went wide. A scream ripped from her throat, jagged as shattering glass, as her form twisted and warped under the touch of Eirlys’ light.
“How?” she shrieked, voice cracking, raw with terror. “How are you doing this?”
Eirlys didn’t answer. She only glowed brighter, her light swallowing Mirael’s darkness, until the shadow shredded like smoke in wind. With a final, guttural scream, Mirael vanished-snuffed out of sight.
Gasps echoed through the guests, whispers rippling, fear and awe tangled together.
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< Chapter 142: Through Clear Skies
But the storm did not stop. The hail still pounded, and that vile rain still fell beyond Eirlys’ glow.
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Her wings unfurled, catching the storm winds as she lifted into the air. Snow and shadow whipped around her, yet she rose with steady grace, her glow cutting through the black sky.
I braced myself, waiting for the familiar wash of her light-healing, cleansing, the way she had always fought the blight. But this… this was something else.
Eirlys stretched her arms wide, palms open to the heavens.
And the heavens answered.
A crack tore through the storm above, and a single spear of sunlight pierced down, splitting the dark in two. Then another. And another. Each beam burst forth like an arrow of gold, shattering the tempest, tearing holes in Mirael’s shadow until the sky itself bent and broke
beneath her radiance.
Another wave of gasps rippled through the crowd as the hail softened into harmless snow, the foul rain dissolving in a hiss of steam. The storm faltered, unraveling into wisps until only a sweep of clear sky stretched above us.
The courtyard held its breath. Awestruck. Every gaze fixed on her-my mate, my queen-as she descended, radiant and unyielding, her wings catching the newborn sunlight as if she had
been carved from it.
My chest ached, too full, too tight.
The instant her feet touched the stone, I was already moving. I shifted back, arms reaching,
gathering her against me.
“Eirlys.” Her name broke from me like a prayer, ragged and reverent.
We stayed like that, bound in each other’s arms, until Eirlys finally stirred. She leaned back just enough to glance around, her glow softening into a gentle shimmer.
“Is everyone… are they all alright?” she whispered, scanning the courtyard with wide, searching eyes.
Before I could answer, Ulyanna, Evander, and Orryx approached, their expressions carved from stone. The High Witch’s gaze swept the ruined courtyard. Then, with a flick of her hands, chairs righted themselves, tables slid back into place, and the black stains seared into the stones dissolved beneath her magic.
Only when every trace of the storm’s chaos was erased did Ulyanna face us. Her eyes with grim certainty. “I know how Mirael got in.”
burned
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<Chapter 142: Through Clear Skies
Every head turned. At my side, Eirlys stiffened.
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Ulyanna’s gaze swept the courtyard, her eyes narrowing before she delivered the words like a hammer blow. “Someone from within created a breach.”
A growl rumbled in my chest before I realized it, my arm tightening around Eirlys. “Who?” The word tore from me, low and dangerous.
Orryx stepped forward, his tone clipped, controlled. “Our own witches are all accounted for. They were gathered and under guard. As for the guests…” His jaw hardened. “Three witches are missing.”
Ulyanna pressed her lips into a thin line. Slowly, she drew a small, dark object from her pocket. “I found this. A dampener. It must have been planted while all eyes were elsewhere.”
She offered it to me. I took it, my claws itching to crush it. The metal was flat, round, disturbingly familiar-akin to the alloy from Eirlys’ old bracelet. Strange runes etched across its surface shimmered faintly, unreadable to me, yet heavy with intent.
I led Eirlys back into the palace, my hand firm at the small of her back. She stayed close, wings folding away. Orryx, Evander, and Ulyanna followed silently.
The meeting chamber awaited, already filled. Remaining council members had gathered, even King Lucius and Prince Draven lingered among them. All eyes turned as we entered. I took my place at the head of the long table; Eirlys settled at my right.
Callum broke the silence first. “Necessary arrangements are underway. Guests are being escorted out. No one leaves unaccounted for.”
Evander leaned back in his chair, hands steepled, eyes glowing crimson with restrained hunger. “Allow me to hunt the missing witches. I’ll drag them back myself if I must.”
I caught the flash of excitement in his gaze-the thrill of the chase-and gave a curt nod of approval.
Orryx leaned forward, voice steady, precise. “You should proceed with your planned honeymoon. Both of you.”
Eirlys’ eyes searched mine, worry etched across her features. “We can’t just leave,” she said. What if they come back and cause trouble again?”
Ulyanna’s voice cut through, sharp and unwavering. “Do not trouble yourself, Eirlys. My witches and I will restore the wards.”
King Lucius inclined his head once. “We’ll remain here until you return,” he said. “Do not let a spiteful witch ruin your day. If you let her, she wins.”
”
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<Chapter 142: Through Clear Skies.
A low murmur of agreement rippled through the chamber.
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I looked to Eirlys, catching the faint flush on her cheeks. “This day should have been perfect. And it still can be.” I let the words fall with certainty, my gaze holding hers, willing her to trust them.
Finally, she met my eyes and nodded. “Alright,” she whispered.
I allowed myself a faint smile, rare but meant for her alone. “Good… I have not shown you my gift yet.”
EIRLYS’ POV
The courtyard was quieter now, nearly emptied of guests. I held Nibbles close to my chest, his tiny nose twitching against the silk of my gown.
Ahead, Kierygan waited in his dragon form, scales gleaming like liquid glass beneath the sunlight. His wings twitched, restless, as though impatient with how long I lingered.
Behind me, our friends gathered, their faces softened with relief and fondness.
“Safe travels, Snowdrop,” Evander said with his easy grin, bowing in a flourish. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
I hugged him tightly. “Good luck with your hunt. And take care.”
Kierygan’s dragon let out a screech, the sound so sharp it made me instinctively pull away from Evander. He was always possessive and territorial in this form. I raised my voice.” Sorry!”
Ulyanna’s smile was small but genuine. “We’ll keep watch, child. Go without fear.”
Then Callum barked a laugh. “Don’t come back until you’ve made a baby dragon. Or a baby
fae. Or both.”
Heat flared across my cheeks as laughter rippled through the group. “Callum, honestly!”
He only grinned wider, shameless.
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