If Lyra Everhart had one gold coin for every time Isabella called her useless, she could have bought the manor by now.

Possibly the neighboring manor too.

Maybe even Isabella herself.

Not that Lyra wanted another problem in her life.

"Useless."

There it was.

Right on schedule.

Eight-year-old Lyra didn't even bother looking up from the basket of laundry balanced against her hip.

The basket was nearly half her size.

She felt that was deeply unfair.

"Good morning to you too."

The comment earned her a glare.

A successful start to the day.

The Everhart Manor stood atop a hill overlooking the capital city of Elaria.

Tall white towers reached toward the clouds.

Golden banners danced in the breeze.

Beautiful gardens stretched around the estate like a sea of color.

Visitors often called it magnificent.

Wonderful.

Dreamlike.

Lyra preferred the term prison.

A very expensive prison.

But a prison nonetheless.

At eight years old, Lyra wasn't what most noble daughters were supposed to be.

Her long black hair was currently escaping from a braid that had taken an exhausted maid nearly twenty minutes to create.

Several stubborn strands hung around her face.

They always escaped.

Nobody knew how.

Not even the maids.

Her sapphire-blue eyes seemed far too bright for someone carrying laundry before breakfast.

They sparkled with the kind of curiosity that usually led to trouble.

A lot of trouble.

The manor staff had learned to recognize that sparkle.

Whenever it appeared, something was probably about to break.

"Did you hear me?"

Isabella demanded.

"No."

"You never listen."

"I do."

"No, you don't."

Lyra considered this.

"That's possible."

Isabella looked personally offended by the existence of her younger stepsister.

A condition Lyra had unfortunately been unable to cure.

"Mother says you're supposed to clean the west hall."

"I just cleaned the west hall."

"Then clean it again."

"Maybe the dust came back."

A servant nearby suddenly developed a coughing fit.

Lyra suspected it was laughter trying to escape.

At fourteen, Isabella already looked every bit the perfect noble daughter.

Golden hair.

Elegant posture.

Expensive dresses.

The ability to insult people while smiling.

A skill Lyra found both impressive and concerning.

The grand staircase suddenly fell silent.

Uh oh.

Every servant straightened immediately.

Several looked nervous.

One looked ready to flee.

Lady Seraphine had arrived.

Lyra's stepmother descended the staircase with the confidence of someone who knew she owned everything she saw.

And probably several things she didn't.

Her blonde hair shone beneath the morning sunlight.

Her emerald dress looked flawless.

Her expression did not.

"Lyra."

Danger.

Immediate danger.

"Yes, Lady Seraphine?"

"Why are you standing around?"

Lyra glanced at the laundry basket.

Then at Seraphine.

Then back at the laundry basket.

"I'm beginning to suspect we have very different definitions of standing around."

Silence.

One servant quietly turned around and walked away.

A wise decision.

Seraphine smiled.

Lyra immediately became suspicious.

Nothing good had ever followed that smile.

Nothing.

Not once.

Not ever.

"Since you apparently have enough energy for jokes..."

Seraphine folded her arms.

"You may clean the library after you're finished."

"The entire library?"

"Yes."

"It's bigger than my bedroom."

"Then perhaps you'll finally spend time somewhere useful."

Ouch.

That one had some effort behind it.

Lyra watched her stepmother walk away.

Then looked at the servant beside her.

"That felt unnecessary."

The servant nodded.

"It really did."

The Girl Without Magic

Magic existed everywhere in Elaria.

It flowed through rivers.

Whispered through forests.

Slept beneath mountains.

Children awakened magical affinities before reaching ten years old.

Fire.

Water.

Earth.

Wind.

Healing.

Light.

And dozens of other rare variations.

Most children eagerly awaited their awakening.

It was one of the most important moments of their lives.

Families celebrated.

Neighbors visited.

Gifts were exchanged.

Everyone was excited.

Lyra wasn't.

Because hers had already happened.

Or rather...

It hadn't happened.

When she turned eight, healers from across the capital examined her.

Then examined her again.

Then once more because they thought they had made a mistake.

No affinity.

No magical signature.

Nothing.

The daughter of a gifted mother.

The daughter of an influential father.

And somehow...

No magic.

People tried not to say it in front of her.

Unfortunately for them, children had ears.

"Such a disappointment."

"Poor Lord Cedric."

"Her mother was talented."

"What a waste."

Adults often forgot that whispers could still be heard.

Or perhaps they simply didn't care.

Father

Not everything in Everhart Manor was terrible.

There was one exception.

Lord Cedric Everhart.

Her father.

The library doors opened later that afternoon.

Lyra looked up from a mountain of books.

Her entire face brightened instantly.

"Father!"

Lord Cedric smiled.

A real smile.

Not the polite noble version.

The genuine one.

And suddenly the room felt warmer.

He crossed the room and gently brushed a strand of black hair away from her face.

"You're covered in dust."

"The dust attacked first."

Cedric laughed.

Actually laughed.

The sound made Lyra grin.

She missed that laugh.

She missed him.

Even at eight years old, she understood something important.

Her father loved her.

The problem was that the kingdom seemed to love borrowing him.

Meetings.

Politics.

Royal duties.

Trade disputes.

Important people discussing important things.

All of them stole pieces of his time.

And somehow there was never enough left over.

Still...

For a little while, they sat together.

Talking.

Laughing.

Being a family.

And Lyra would remember that afternoon for the rest of her life.

Because sometimes the happiest memories become the hardest to let go of.

Outside the library windows, dark clouds gathered beyond the distant mountains.

Far beyond them stretched the legendary Beast Forest.

A place of monsters.

Magic.

Ancient secrets.

And stories.

Lyra often dreamed about adventure.

About freedom.

About seeing the world beyond the manor walls.

She had no idea that before the week ended...

The Beast Forest would become her home.

And somewhere deep among those ancient trees...

A silver-eyed wolf suddenly lifted its head.

As though it had heard the beginning of a story.

End of Chapter 1 🌙📖

If there was one thing Lyra hated more than being called useless, it was being lied to.

Unfortunately, Everhart Manor specialized in both.

The next morning began suspiciously.

Which was unusual.

Normally her mornings began with chores.

Or insults.

Sometimes both.

Today began with breakfast.

Actual breakfast.

At the dining table.

With food that wasn't leftovers.

Lyra narrowed her eyes at the plate in front of her.

Then at Seraphine.

Then back at the plate.

"This feels like a trap."

Across the table, Isabella rolled her eyes.

"It's food."

"Exactly."

"What does that mean?"

"It means nobody has ever voluntarily given me pastries before."

The servants immediately looked busy.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Lady Seraphine smiled.

Danger.

Immediate danger.

"My dear Lyra."

The girl nearly choked.

My dear Lyra?

Who was this woman?

What had she done with Lady Seraphine?

"We have a surprise planned for you."

There it was.

The trap.

Lyra knew it.

"A good surprise?"

"Of course."

That was not an answer.

Not even slightly.

Later That Day

The surprise remained suspicious.

By lunch, servants had packed supplies into a carriage.

By afternoon, horses had been prepared.

By evening, Seraphine announced:

"We leave tomorrow."

Leave?

Lyra nearly dropped her spoon.

Leave where?

Everhart Manor was many things.

Terrible.

Annoying.

Occasionally haunted by Isabella's personality.

But people didn't usually leave it.

Especially not Lyra.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

Still not an answer.

The Library

That evening Lyra found her father in the library.

Again.

Because apparently important men reproduced through paperwork.

Stacks of documents covered his desk.

Maps lay scattered everywhere.

Letters sat in neat piles.

Her father looked exhausted.

Which wasn't unusual anymore.

"Father?"

Cedric immediately looked up.

His tired expression softened.

"Lyra."

She climbed into the chair opposite him.

Something felt strange.

Not dangerous.

Just strange.

Like standing outside before a storm.

The world looked normal.

But something was changing.

"Are you leaving again?"

Cedric sighed.

"A short trip."

Of course.

There was always a trip.

Always another meeting.

Another council session.

Another problem needing Lord Cedric Everhart.

Sometimes Lyra wondered if the kingdom would collapse if her father took a nap.

It seemed possible.

"You work too much."

Cedric laughed softly.

"So I've been told."

"By me."

"Frequently."

"Someone has to."

The laugh that followed was real.

And warm.

And painfully rare.

For a moment neither spoke.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable.

It never was with her father.

Lyra traced a finger along the silver wolf pendant hanging around her neck.

The gift he had given her yesterday.

She liked touching it when she was thinking.

Or worried.

Or lonely.

Which unfortunately covered most situations.

"Father?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I'm useless?"

The question escaped before she could stop it.

Silence filled the room.

Cedric stared at her.

Not shocked.

Not angry.

Heartbroken.

"Lyra."

His voice sounded different.

Soft.

Careful.

As if the wrong words might shatter something.

"Why would you ask that?"

Because everyone else thought so.

Because she heard the whispers.

Because she saw the looks.

Because she had no magic.

Because sometimes even brave people became tired.

Instead she shrugged.

"Just wondering."

Cedric stood.

Walked around the desk.

Then knelt beside her chair.

"Listen to me."

His voice was firm now.

"I don't care whether you have magic."

Lyra blinked.

"Really?"

"Really."

"What if I never awaken anything?"

"Then you never awaken anything."

"What if everyone laughs at me?"

"Then everyone is wrong."

"What if—"

Cedric gently tapped her forehead.

"You're thinking too much."

Lyra frowned.

"I do that."

"Constantly."

They smiled.

And for a moment...

Everything felt okay.

Safe.

Normal.

The way she wished life always felt.

Then a servant knocked on the door.

"My lord, the council awaits."

Of course they did.

Lyra wanted to ban councils.

Possibly forever.

Cedric stood reluctantly.

Before leaving, he paused.

Then ruffled her hair.

"Goodnight, Lyra."

She wrinkled her nose.

"You ruined my braid."

"Occupational hazard."

"That's not an occupation."

Cedric laughed again.

Then walked away.

At the doorway he stopped.

For a brief moment, he looked back.

As though he wanted to say something else.

Something important.

Instead he smiled.

"I'll see you when I return."

A promise.

Simple.

Ordinary.

The kind nobody thinks about.

Until it becomes the last one.

The Next Morning

The carriage waited outside.

The sky hung gray overhead.

Rain threatened in the distance.

Several servants loaded supplies.

Nobody seemed happy.

Actually...

Nobody would meet Lyra's eyes.

That was strange.

Very strange.

She climbed into the carriage beside Seraphine.

Something cold settled in her stomach.

The journey began.

And somewhere deep within the Beast Forest...

A silver-eyed wolf rose to its feet.

Far away, in a cabin hidden beneath ancient trees, a man who had lived for centuries paused while reading.

For reasons he couldn't explain...

He suddenly felt like his peaceful life was about to become significantly more complicated.

End of Chapter 2🌙

Lyra had decided three things about the journey.

First, the carriage was uncomfortable.

Second, Lady Seraphine was being suspiciously nice.

Third, she absolutely hated surprises.

Especially when the surprise involved being dragged halfway across the kingdom.

The carriage rattled along a winding road.

Outside, forests rolled past like endless green waves.

Villages appeared and disappeared.

Mountains rose in the distance.

The scenery was beautiful.

Normally Lyra would have been glued to the window.

Today, something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

Across from her sat Lady Seraphine.

Perfect posture.

Perfect dress.

Perfect smile.

The smile bothered Lyra most.

Nobody smiled that much without a reason.

Especially not Seraphine.

The woman usually looked at Lyra the way people looked at mud on expensive shoes.

Yet for two whole days she hadn't insulted her once.

That was terrifying.

"Are we there yet?"

Lyra asked.

"No."

"Now?"

"No."

"How about now?"

Seraphine slowly looked up from her book.

"Lyra."

"Yes?"

"Stop."

Lyra smiled.

Success.

At least somebody was suffering with her.

The Forest Appears

Late on the third day, the landscape changed.

The trees grew larger.

Older.

Darker.

The cheerful forests they had passed before disappeared.

In their place stood giants.

Ancient trees whose branches seemed to scrape the sky.

Sunlight struggled to reach the ground.

Shadows stretched between roots thicker than houses.

The air itself felt different.

Alive.

Lyra pressed her face against the carriage window.

For the first time all day, excitement replaced suspicion.

"What forest is that?"

Nobody answered.

Lyra frowned.

A servant looked away.

Another suddenly found his boots fascinating.

The knot in her stomach tightened.

Then she recognized it.

Every child in Elaria knew the stories.

The Beast Forest.

Her excitement vanished instantly.

"Oh."

Nobody spoke.

That was answer enough.

The Beast Forest wasn't simply dangerous.

It was legendary.

Stories claimed dragons nested within its mountains.

Ancient spirits wandered beneath its trees.

Creatures older than kingdoms slept in forgotten ruins.

Many adventurers entered.

Few returned.

Lyra slowly turned toward Seraphine.

"Why are we here?"

The woman smiled.

And suddenly Lyra understood.

Not everything.

Not yet.

But enough.

Enough to make her heart sink.

The End of the Road

The carriage stopped.

Silence settled over the forest.

No birds sang.

No insects buzzed.

Everything felt watchful.

Like the forest itself was observing them.

Waiting.

Lyra climbed down from the carriage.

Cold wind brushed against her face.

Huge trees surrounded them on all sides.

The road ended here.

Beyond it stretched endless wilderness.

Nobody moved.

Nobody spoke.

The servants looked miserable.

One looked ready to cry.

The knot in Lyra's stomach became something heavier.

Something terrifying.

She turned toward Seraphine.

"Why are we here?"

This time her voice sounded smaller.

More fragile.

The answer never came.

Instead, Seraphine stepped back toward the carriage.

One step.

Then another.

And suddenly Lyra understood everything.

"No."

The word escaped before she could stop it.

"No."

The servants lowered their eyes.

Nobody looked at her.

Nobody.

"You're leaving me here."

Silence.

The worst answer of all.

Lyra felt something crack inside her chest.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

Just enough.

Enough to hurt.

She looked at the servants.

People she had known her entire life.

Nobody met her gaze.

She looked at the coachman.

Nothing.

Finally she looked at Seraphine.

"Why?"

For a moment the woman simply stared.

Then her expression hardened.

Cold.

Cruel.

Honest.

"Because nobody wants a useless child."

The words hit harder than any slap.

For a second Lyra couldn't breathe.

She couldn't think.

Couldn't move.

The world seemed to tilt beneath her feet.

Then the carriage door closed.

The horses turned.

And just like that...

They left.

Lyra stood frozen.

Watching.

Waiting.

Surely someone would stop.

Someone would come back.

Surely.

The carriage became smaller.

Smaller.

Smaller.

Then disappeared.

Gone.

Just like that.

Alone

For a long time Lyra simply stood there.

The road felt empty.

The forest felt enormous.

And she felt very small.

The wind rustled the leaves overhead.

A branch creaked somewhere in the distance.

The world continued moving.

As though nothing had happened.

Lyra hated that.

How dare the world continue?

How dare the trees stand there peacefully?

How dare the sky remain blue?

Her family had abandoned her.

The world should have the decency to look upset about it.

Instead...

Nothing.

Tears burned behind her eyes.

She blinked them away.

Then blinked again.

Stupid tears.

They refused to listen.

Finally, anger arrived.

Glorious.

Wonderful.

Reliable anger.

Anger she understood.

Lyra kicked a rock.

Hard.

The rock bounced across the road.

Hit a tree.

The tree growled.

Lyra froze.

"..."

The tree growled again.

Very slowly, Lyra raised her head.

Two glowing eyes stared back from the bark.

"...Sorry."

The tree blinked.

Then went back to sleep.

Lyra decided not to question it.

The Wolf

The sun was beginning to set.

Shadows stretched between the trees.

The forest grew darker.

Quieter.

Then came the growl.

Deep.

Heavy.

Close.

Very close.

Lyra turned slowly.

A gigantic silver wolf stepped from the shadows.

Calling it a wolf felt inaccurate.

Houses were smaller.

The beast's silver fur shimmered beneath the fading sunlight.

Its eyes glowed like frozen stars.

The creature stared directly at her.

Lyra swallowed.

The wolf stared.

She stared back.

The wolf growled.

Lyra pointed at it.

"You know what?"

The wolf blinked.

"If you're going to eat me..."

The beast tilted its head.

"...just do it quickly."

The wolf froze.

"So far today I've been called useless..."

Tilt.

"Abandoned by my family..."

Tilt.

"And stranded in a forest full of monsters."

Tilt.

"Honestly, I don't have the energy for dramatic deaths."

The wolf sat down.

"What?"

The wolf continued staring.

"Are you judging me?"

The beast somehow looked like it was judging her.

"Rude."

A laugh echoed through the forest.

A real laugh.

Warm.

Unexpected.

Lyra spun around.

A man stood among the trees.

Tall.

Dark-haired.

Golden-eyed.

He looked around thirty-five.

And yet...

Something about him felt ancient.

Like the forest knew him.

Like the trees themselves recognized his presence.

Most importantly—

He was laughing.

At her.

"What's so funny?"

Lyra demanded.

The stranger looked at the wolf.

Then at her.

Then back at the wolf.

"I've known him for nearly three hundred years."

Lyra blinked.

"What?"

"That's the first time anyone has called him rude."

The wolf looked offended.

"See?"

Lyra pointed.

"He's doing it again."

The man laughed harder.

And for the first time since the carriage left...

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Lyra's mouth.

She didn't know it yet.

But the worst day of her life had just become the beginning of a new one.

And Orion, the immortal who valued peace and quiet above all else, was about to make the biggest mistake of his very long life.

Because he was about to take Lyra home.

End of Chapter 3 🌙✨📖