Chapter 80: Departure

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: Departure

"There is no fury like a woman scorned, nor any jealousy quite like the terror of losing what you fought to keep." — William Congreve

The morning sun cast long golden shards across the polished marble courtyards of the grand eastern gate.

A heavily armored elven diplomatic carriage waited beneath the royal banners of Queen Aeloria. Its draft beasts stamped impatiently against the cobblestones while royal guards prepared for departure.

The time had come to send Kalia home.

For Riven, it was the closing of a brief and chaotic Chapter.

For Lyra, it felt like someone was trying to steal something that belonged to her.

She stood several paces away from the carriage, her hands clenched tightly together.

Her silver blonde hair was pinned into an immaculate braid, and her violet eyes remained fixed on Kalia.

The beastgirl was standing far too close to Riven.

Again.

Kalia wore fine travel furs provided by the royal treasury. Her vibrant red hair fell down her back, and her animal ears twitched happily as she looked up at Riven.

Lyra’s jaw tightened.

’Why does she keep standing so close to him?’

The royal guard approached.

"The carriage is ready, Princess."

Lyra barely acknowledged him.

Her attention remained on Kalia.

Then Kalia reached into her clothing.

She pulled out a small silver claw covered in ancient tribal runes.

She stepped directly in front of Riven and placed it into his gloved palm.

"A token of the Silver Claw Tribe."

Her voice was soft.

Almost intimate.

"Keep it safe."

Riven examined the silver claw.

"What does it do?"

"Nothing."

Kalia smiled.

"It is simply proof that you saved one of ours."

She paused.

"And that the Silver Claw Tribe remembers its debts."

"Also it will glow if I am trying to contact you"

Riven closed his fingers around the token.

Kalia’s tail swayed happily.

"And then I’m counting the days."

Riven looked at her.

"For what?"

"Estar Academy."

Her smile widened.

"I turn fifteen in two years."

She leaned slightly closer.

"Exactly when you do."

Lyra’s fingers dug into her palms.

’She’s planning to meet him at the academy.’

Kalia continued.

"And when we get there, you have to visit the eastern valleys."

Riven raised an eyebrow.

"I’ll probably be busy."

"Then I’ll give you a reason to come."

Kalia’s eyes sparkled.

"My father wants to welcome you properly."

She lightly tapped the silver token in his hand.

"And my tribe takes debts very seriously."

Lyra’s patience snapped.

"That is enough."

Her voice echoed across the courtyard.

Kalia turned.

Lyra marched toward them.

Her expression was calm.

Far too calm.

"The carriage is leaving."

Kalia blinked.

Lyra stepped between them.

"Riven has responsibilities here."

Her violet eyes moved toward Kalia.

"Important ones."

Kalia tilted her head.

"So?"

"So you don’t need to keep making plans with him."

Kalia’s ears flicked backward.

"But he saved my life."

"I know."

Lyra’s smile tightened.

"I was there."

The two girls stared at each other.

Neither moved.

Riven looked between them.

He had fought assassins with less tension than this.

Kalia finally smiled.

"I simply want to see my savior again."

Lyra’s eye twitched.

"You’ve said that."

"And?"

"And he already knows."

Kalia stepped closer to Riven again.

Lyra immediately stepped with her.

Kalia moved right.

Lyra moved right.

Kalia moved left.

Lyra followed.

Riven watched them silently.

Kalia’s tail flicked with amusement.

"You really don’t want me near him, do you?"

Lyra’s face flushed.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about."

"You’ve followed me every time I get close to him."

"I am the princess."

"That isn’t an answer."

Lyra’s mana flickered around her feet.

A faint crack appeared in the marble beneath her boot.

Kalia’s ears lifted.

Riven sighed.

"Lyra."

She immediately looked at him.

"What?"

"You’re cracking the floor."

Lyra glanced down.

She pulled her mana back.

"I know."

Her cheeks were red.

Kalia giggled.

Lyra’s eyes snapped toward her.

"Something funny?"

"No."

Kalia smiled.

"Not at all."

She turned back toward Riven.

"Goodbye."

She stepped forward and hugged him tightly.

Lyra’s eyes widened.

Her hand immediately went toward the ceremonial dagger at her waist.

Riven calmly patted Kalia’s back.

"Take care."

Kalia pulled away.

Then she looked directly at Lyra.

A tiny, mischievous smile appeared.

"See you in two years."

Lyra’s eye twitched.

Kalia climbed into the carriage.

She leaned out of the window as it began moving.

"Don’t forget the token, Riven!"

Riven raised it slightly.

"I won’t."

"Save me a dance at the academy!"

Lyra’s expression became murderous.

The carriage disappeared through the eastern gates.

Silence settled over the courtyard.

Lyra slowly turned toward Riven.

Her face was flushed.

Her violet eyes were burning.

Riven looked down at the silver token.

"An academy break in the eastern valleys."

Lyra stared at him.

Riven continued examining the token.

"I wonder what reward I’ll get."

Lyra’s mouth dropped open.

"Riven."

He looked at her.

"Are you actually thinking of going"

She grabbed the front of his coat.

Her fingers tightened around the fabric.

Riven didn’t move.

He looked into her eyes.

Her anger was real.

But beneath it was something else.

Fear.

She was afraid that someone else might take the place she had fought so hard to earn beside him.

Riven’s expression softened.

"Two years."

Lyra blinked.

"What?"

"Two years until Estar Academy."

His voice became quieter.

"That’s a lot of time."

Lyra continued staring at him.

"Time for what?"

Riven’s lips curved into a faint smirk.

"To keep you from murdering every girl who talks to me."

Lyra’s face turned bright red.

"I do not murder girls who talk to you!"

Riven raised an eyebrow.

"You almost drew your dagger."

"She hugged you!"

"Yes."

"And you hugged her back!"

Riven paused.

"She was saying goodbye."

Lyra crossed her arms.

"That doesn’t make it better."

Riven almost laughed.

Almost.

Instead, he gently tapped the silver token against her forehead.

"You’re cute when you’re jealous."

Lyra froze.

Her face became even redder.

"You..."

She stared at him in disbelief.

Then she turned away with an embarrassed huff.

"I hate you."

Riven smiled.

"No, you don’t."

Lyra glanced back at him.

Her expression softened.

"No."

She quietly shook her head.

"I really don’t."

High above them, Queen Aeloria watched from the palace balcony.

She lowered her spyglass.

A huge smile spread across her face.

’Oh, this is going to be entertaining.’

She turned toward her study.

Two years.

The Queen laughed softly.

’They won’t survive the academy without driving each other insane first.’