It took us two full days to make it back to Arthur’s castle, and I was honestly shocked at how quickly his men had repaired the damage from thest attack. Everything looked pristine again, like nothing had ever happened. They clearly didn’t waste any time around here.


    But even though only two days had passed, my stomach had grown noticeablyrger than it had been when I killed Mia. The rapid changes were unsettling. I was curious–maybe even a little anxious–to know exactly how far along I was, but there was <i>no </i>way of telling until I got


    back home.


    As soon as we arrived at the castle, we were met with cheers and celebration. Word had already spread across the realm that the ck witch was dead, and people <i>were </i>overjoyed. Everywhere we went, people bowed their heads and smiled at me.


    “You’re a local hero now,” Arthur said as we made our way through the crowd. “Are you absolutely sure you want to leave?”


    <b>“</b>As much as I think this ce is beautiful, it’s not home,” I said firmly.


    “I know<i>,</i><i>” </i>he replied with a small smile. “Come on, let’s see what they’ve managed to find out.”


    We walked inside, and I was surprised to see the castle buzzing with activity. Two full rooms were filled with people poring over books, scrolls, and papers.


    “Your majesty,” a woman said, bowing her head as Arthur approached.


    “Have you found a way to get Lyra back home?” Arthur asked.


    “I’m afraid not,” she said with a frown. “It’s proving to be much more difficult than we anticipated to find a method to open a portal.”


    “Alright,” I said, stepping forward. “Where have you gotten to? I’ll help.”


    “You need to rest and get a proper meal,” Arthur said, looking at me with concern.


    “I can eat while I work,” I said sharply. “But I’m not going to rest.”


    “Think of the baby,” he pressed. “You’ve barely slept since we were locked in that castle.”


    “I know,” I said quietly. “But don’t worry about me. Sleep is something I’ve learned to live without.”


    “Are you sure about that?” he asked, searching my face.


    “Positive,” I replied. “Now can we please just focus?”


    < CHAPTER 90


    He sighed but nodded. “Fine. I’ll have the cook bring you something to eat.”


    More Rewards


    I sat down at one of therge tables and nced over the books and notes they had been working on. My heart sank. They werepletely off track and clearly had no idea what they were actually looking for. At this rate, I’d be better off going through the entire library myself.


    I stood, went into Arthur’s vast library, and retrieved a stack of more relevant books before returning to the table. One by one, I began working through them, page by page, determined to find a clue.


    I didn’t know how much time I had left. Every day here, my stomach grewrger, and the urgency pressed heavier on me.


    “Kronos,” I said, ncing up, “how are you feeling after getting sted by that electricity?”


    He gave me a wry smile. “I feel a little weird, but at least my hair isn’t standing on end.”


    I chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t think you could pull off that look.”


    The others nearbyughed, and Kronos shrugged dramatically. “d you all agree.”


    “Any luck?” Arthur asked as he stepped back into the room.


    “Not yet,” I said, jotting down notes from different pages. “But I think I’m getting close with these books.”


    “I really think you need to get some rest–for the baby,” he said, his voice soft but insistent.


    “Arthur,” I said, lifting my head to look at him, “every single day I’m here, my stomach gets bigger. I don’t even know how far along I am. I have no idea how much time has passed in my world. I need to find my way back.”


    “No offense to your people, but they weren’t even looking in the right books. They don’t have a clue what they’re doing,” I said.


    Arthur didn’t argue. Instead, he pulled up a chair beside me and started helping me sift through the books–the ones I knew would actually lead us somewhere.


    A flicker of hope lit up inside me as I realized I was getting closer. Every page, every symbol, every half–forgotten ritual brought me one step nearer to home. All I could think about was Elias–what it would feel like to see him again, the look on his face when he saw me. <fn14bc> Latest content published on find[f]ovel</fn14bc>


    But alongside the excitement was a knot of fear. I knew he wouldn’t have handled this separation well. What if he hadn’t survived this long without me? The thought twisted my stomach. I didn’t know if I’d be able to live with that.


    :


    < CHAPTER 90


    More Rewards <b>> </b>


    I tried to force those thoughts out of my head and focused on the books. But nothing in my life ever stayed simple.


    Arthur kept sneaking nces at me, his eyes full of unspoken concern. I ignored it. I wasn’t ready to have that conversation–not now.


    Eventually, I pushed back from the table and stood to get a coffee, only to notice Kronos trailing behind me.


    “Can’t a girl do <i>anything </i>around here without being followed?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at


    him.


    “Sorry,” he said with a sheepish shrug. “I know it probably feels <i>like </i>we’re always spying on


    you.”


    “I don’t think you’re spying. I think your King told you all to keep an eye on me because he thinks I’m working myself too hard,” I said.


    “Wow… you’re good,<i>” </i>Kronos admitted with a small smirk.


    “You don’t need to worry about me. I know my limits. And this? This is nothing. You have no idea what werewolves are capable of. We can handle a hell of a lot more than normal


    humans.”


    “I’m starting to believe that,” he said. “But… Arthur’s going to miss you when you leave.”


    “He barely knows me,” I replied, brushing it off.


    “He’s gotten to know <i>you </i>pretty well thesest few days,” Kronos said. “Sometimes, that’s all


    it takes.”


    “Are you seriously here to try and convince me to stay?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.


    “No. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. We all know where your heart is. I just… thought you deserved to know how he feels,” he said.


    “Yeah. I know. Arthur and I already talked about it. He’s not going to disrespect my bond with my mate. So there’s nothing to worry about,” I said firmly.


    “Okay,” he said, backing off.


    I made my coffee and returned to the room, settling back in with the books.


    A couple of hours passed before it happened. I was scribbling notes from various pages into my notebook when my pen slipped from my fingers and ttered onto the table.


    “What is it?” Arthur asked, instantly alert.


    < CHAPTER 90


    More Rewards


    “I think I did it,” I whispered, barely daring to believe it. “I think I figured it out. I know how to open the portal.”


    “Are you serious?” His eyes widened.


    “Yeah,” I said, my heart pounding as I looked up at him. “I <i>know </i>how to do it.”


    My entire face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. I couldn’t believe it–I could finally go


    home.


    But then the butterflies came. Because I had no idea what I was going home to.


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