Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Royal Court
High up in the obsidian-pillared Royal Box, Chancellor Vane dropped his crystal goblet. It shattered against the marble floor, spilling dark red wine like blood.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Vane shrieked, his face draining of all color as he pointed a trembling finger down into the arena. "Kill the prisoner! Why is the beast hesitating? Tear him apart!"
The guards surrounding the royal box exchanged panicked glances. None of them dared to move. Down in the arena, the terrifying Frost-Maned Lion did not roar in bloodlust. Instead, it slowly, reverently lowered its massive head until its snout touched the sand right at Kaelen’s feet. It let out a low, rumbling purr that sounded less like a threat and more like a long-lost greeting.
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Kaelen stared down at the glowing pendant in disbelief. The warmth radiating from the golden lion was pulsing in time with his own heartbeat. Memories he had locked away in the darkest corners of his mind suddenly flashed before his eyes—a burning palace, a weeping mother, and a dying king whispering words he had been too young to understand: “Protect the bloodline, little lion. The true dawn will come.”
The arena was dead silent. Every eye was locked on Kaelen. In that single, breathtaking heartbeat, the accused thief stopped looking like a criminal, and started looking like a king.
