My eyes snapped open like a trap, darkness receding slowly.A faint glow emanated from candles scattered around my childhood bedroom – a room I hadn't seen in ten years. Panic set in as memories clashed – past and present, alive and dead. My name echoed in my mind: Eryndor Thorne. But which life was real?"By the gods…" My voice cracked like a stranger's.Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows – my old servant, Edwin."Master Eryndor… welcome back," he whispered, eyes wide with fear and awe.
Edwin's words hung like a death sentence."Back?" I repeated, voice low and deadly. "Explain."Edwin swallowed hard. "You've been gone ten years, Master Eryndor… yet you stand before me – reborn."My mind reeled – reincarnation magic, rumored extinct.Suddenly, visions flooded my mind: battles fought, loved ones slain, betrayal by those closest…My eyes locked onto Edwin. "Who brought me back?"He glanced nervously behind him before whispering, "A mysterious woman… Lady Aurelia. She spoke of 'balancing fate' and 'your rightful revenge'."My heart ignited with fury. Revenge – my sole purpose.Edwin handed me a mirror. My reflection showed a face ten years younger – yet eyes still haunted.
My gaze lingered on my reflection – younger face, same scars within.Edwin broke silence. "Master Eryndor, Lady Aurelia awaits. Shall I announce your… rebirth?"I nodded curtly.As Edwin exited, my eyes drifted to a nearby letter – sealed with Lady Aurelia's crest.Breaking the wax, I unfolded parchment with trembling hands.Her handwriting danced across paper:"Eryndor Thorne,A decade stolen, yet fate returns what's yours.
Seek me at Blackwood Manor tonight.
Come alone.Aurelia"Suddenly, night air carried whispers outside – Edwin's urgent tone mingling with another's – feminine, melodious…"Edwin, tell me true – does he still love me?"My heart clenched. Who was she to me?
Edwin's pause outside my door was palpable before he whispered,"Master Eryndor loved only one woman, milady… Your Highness, Princess Lyra."My mind shattered. Lyra – my fiancée, murdered by my betrayers.The door creaked open, and Lyra herself stood before me – alive.Yet something was off – her eyes, once bright blue, now shimmered violet."Eryndor…" Her voice barely above a whisper. "Is it truly you?"I stumbled backward, heart racing. "Lyra… dead. You're dead."Her delicate hand reached for mine. "Lady Aurelia brought me back too… for revenge, and perhaps… rekindled love."Suddenly, visions assaulted me – our past love, her murder, my downfall.My eyes locked onto hers. "What sorcery is this? You're not entirely mine anymore."
Lyra's violet eyes flashed with pain. "Not entirely yours… because Lady Aurelia's magic came with a price: my heart now shares allegiance with hers."Rage and possessiveness warred within me. "Explain."Lyra's voice barely rose above whisper. "Aurelia saved me from death's realm… binding my soul to hers – and yours to revenge.Three vows were spoken:Revenge against our betrayers.Loyalty to Aurelia's cause.Love… freely given, or forever lost between us."My fists clenched. "I vow only revenge. What cause does Aurelia hide?"Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside – Lady Aurelia herself appeared in the doorway."Eryndor Thorne, Lyra has explained the vows… now I reveal my cause: overthrowing your family's murderer – my father, King Malakai."My eyes widened. Lyra's hand slipped from mine as I faced Aurelia."Your father killed my family… and Lyra? Why spare me this truth?"
Aurelia's eyes blazed with fury. "Because, Eryndor Thorne, you were blinded by love and loyalty… until Lyra's death and your own downfall.My father manipulated your family's destruction – using your cousin, Lord Ravenswood, as his puppet."Lyra gasped beside me. "Ravenswood – the one who stabbed me…"My vision turned crimson. "Tell me everything."Aurelia's voice cut like ice. "Ravenswood sought power, my father sought control – together they slaughtered your family, framed you for treason… and left you for dead."Suddenly, memories long suppressed erupted – my trial, Lyra's murder scene, my own fatal wounds.I faced Lyra, heart heavy. "You died saving me…"Then turned to Aurelia. "I swear vengeance – on Ravenswood, your father… everyone.But first – what binds Lyra's soul to yours?"Aurelia's smile hinted darkness. "A kiss… on the night she died. My magic revived her – tied to my will… and my heart."
My eyes locked onto Aurelia's, fury mingling with shock."A kiss… on her last breath?" My voice low, deadly.Aurelia nodded slowly. "As life fled Lyra's lips… mine claimed them.A dark magic bond formed – Lyra's soul revived, tied to mine… and her heart divided between us."Lyra stepped forward, violet eyes gleaming tears."Eryndor, my love for you never died… but Aurelia's kiss awakened feelings I dare not speak."My mind reeled – Lyra torn between me and Aurelia.Suddenly, I grasped Lyra's shoulders, pulling her close."Tell me," I whispered fiercely. "What feelings?"Lyra's voice barely audible. "Gratitude… affection… and perhaps something more for the woman who saved me."Aurelia's eyes flashed triumph behind Lyra.I glared past Lyra's shoulder. "This bond ends. Tonight."
Aurelia smiled slyly. "Impossible, Eryndor.The bond dissolves only if Lyra chooses:Eternal love for you – forfeiting her revived soul.Loyalty to me – crushing her heart's love for you forever.Death – reclaiming her soul, but silencing her heart entirely."Lyra's eyes widened in horror.I pulled her closer, voice low and fierce."Option one. She chooses me."Aurelia's laughter echoed menacingly."Lyra must speak the words herself… or forever belong to me."Lyra's gaze locked onto mine, violet eyes burning.Then, barely audible:"I… choose love… for Eryndor."Aurelia's face twisted in rage as Lyra's bond to her snapped.Suddenly, Lyra collapsed into my arms – fully mine once more.But Aurelia's fury boiled over:"Revenge for this betrayal… starts tonight. My father's guards arrive at dawn. You have hours."
Aurelia vanished into darkness, leaving Lyra trembling in my arms."Eryndor, what have I done?" Lyra whispered, violet eyes now bright blue again – fully restored.I held her closer. "You chose me. Now help me destroy them."Lyra nodded fiercely. "My father's guardsmen are loyal only to gold. Aurelia's father – King Malakai – pays them triple fold."Suddenly, a plan ignited within me."Edwin," I called out – my servant appeared instantly."Summon every disgruntled guardsman's contact we have.Lyra, tell me – what night is King Malakai most vulnerable?"Lyra's eyes sparkled with strategic brilliance."Tonight – during his masquerade ball. Ravenswood attends, Father's business with him unfinished."My heart blackened with intent."Perfect. Tonight, we crash the ball… and ignite revenge."
Edwin bowed. "Disgruntled guardsmen summoned, Master Eryndor.They await your command at Oldwind Tavern – 50 strong, eager for revenge against King Malakai's rule."Lyra handed me a masquerade ball invitation – stolen from her brother's chambers."This grants us entry. My brother, Prince Kael, attends – unaware of Father's true nature."I tucked the invitation into my belt."Tonight's agenda:Infiltrate the ball with guardsmen disguised as nobles.Lyra creates distraction near Ravenswood.I confront Ravenswood – publicly shaming his treason.Guardsmen seize King Malakai – sparking chaos for our escape."Lyra's eyes gleamed approval.Just then, Edwin whispered urgently, "Master Eryndor – Aurelia's messenger arrives."A hooded figure handed Edwin a note – he read silently before facing me."Aurelia warns: 'Ravenswood wears a ring – poison needle strikes anyone grasping his hand'."