Chapter 9 - The Moonward Citadel
On the fourth evening, the royal procession crested the final ridge of the northern mountains, and the great capital of the northern kingdoms came into view.
Rising majestically against the twilight sky was the Moonward Citadel—an ancient fortress of white stone and crystal spires that had stood empty and locked for two decades since the Great Purge. Its gates were adorned with carved silver crescents and intricate runes that had remained dormant until now.
As the royal carriage approached the massive iron gates, something extraordinary happened.
The ancient runes etched into the stone walls began to glow with a brilliant, pulsing silver light. The heavy doors slowly swung open on their own, welcoming back the true bloodline that had been unjustly exiled twenty years ago.
A crowd of thousands had gathered in the outer courtyard—citizens, nobles, warriors, and pack elders from all across the kingdom—waiting in reverent silence. As Elise stepped out of the carriage, the entire gathering dropped to one knee in a synchronized wave of absolute respect.
Elise froze, her breath catching in her throat. She looked back at Rowan, who stood beside her, offering a reassuring nod.
“They are not bowing to a ruler,” Rowan whispered gently. “They are bowing to their healer. Their protector. Their home.”
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With Oral walking faithfully by her side, his silver-white fur gleaming in the starlight, Elise walked forward up the grand stone steps of the citadel. As she placed her hand upon the central threshold, a surge of pure, warm energy rippled outward from her palm, igniting every torch and lantern across the entire citadel in a breathtaking display of light.
The lost heir had returned. The darkness of the past twenty years was broken, and the kingdom was finally whole.
