Prince Kael's words hung like a royal decree. Lyra stepped forward, voice firm."Brother, our bond is strong – Eryndor, Aurelia, and I share heart, trust, and vision."Aurelia added, "Together, we bring balance: Eryndor's battle strategy, my magical diplomacy, Lyra's compassionate heart."I nodded in agreement."United, we'll restore honor, justice, and peace to our war-torn realm."Prince Kael smiled thoughtfully."I propose a trial reign – three moons to prove your trio's wisdom. If successful, Father's throne shall be yours – shared equally."Lyra's eyes sparkled."Accepted, brother! Our first decree: Ravenswood's treacherous family shall face justice."Aurelia whispered to me, "And our second: a private ceremony – sealing our three-hearted bond forever."Suddenly, a wise old wizard appeared – staff glinting with runes."Fates align for your trio… but beware, dark prophecy unfolds:'One heart shall break, another betray, before trio reigns supreme."
The wizard's words cast a dark shadow.Lyra clutched my arm, Aurelia's hand finding hers."Explain, wise one," I urged, voice low and urgent. The wizard's eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom."Three paths unfold:Heartbreak: Lyra's past love for her family's killer – Ravenswood's brother, still alive. Betrayal: Aurelia's hidden sibling – a powerful sorcerer, sworn enemy of our realm.Or yours, Eryndor – a forgotten oath to a dark deity, forged in death's realm."My mind reeled – Lyra and Aurelia exchanged worried glances."Which path will destroy us?" Lyra whispered.The wizard vanished as suddenly as he appeared – leaving only a parchment:"Choose wisely, trio. Ravenswood's brother arrives tonight. Aurelia's sibling tomorrow. Your darkness always."Aurelia turned to us."Tonight, we face Lyra's past. Tomorrow… my family's secret."
Tonight's moon cast an eerie glow over castle walls. Lyra stood beside me, Aurelia behind – hands on our shoulders."Ravenswood's brother, Cassius… was my childhood friend, Eryndor," Lyra whispered."Until family loyalty turned him against us. His arrival signals dark intentions."Suddenly, castle gates creaked – Cassius rode in, eyes locking onto Lyra."Princess… still beautiful. Still blind to family truths," Cassius sneered.I stepped forward, hand on sword hilt."Cassius Ravenswood – your brother's treason ended tonight. Yours will too."Cassius dismounted, voice low and menacing."Not before revealing Lyra's forgotten vow… to marry me, Eryndor Thorne.A childhood promise – sealed with a kiss… and magically bound."Lyra's eyes widened in horror – Aurelia's grip on her shoulder tightened.
Lyra's face turned deathly pale."No… that vow was childish play, Cassius – magically bound by my nanny's harmless spell!"Cassius sneered."Harmless no more – nanny was Aurelia's aunt, a dark sorceress. The spell matures with Lyra's heart – now binding her to me… or killing her if she loves another."Aurelia stepped forward, eyes blazing fury."My aunt's magic won't claim Lyra – I'll break the spell or destroy myself trying!"I drew my sword, voice low and deadly."Neither sacrifice needed – Cassius dies tonight. Lyra chooses me."Cassius laughed wildly."Too late – Lyra's heart already burns with mine… feel her pulse, Eryndor – synchronized with mine."Lyra's hand flew to her chest – eyes wide in horror –then she whispered "Eryndor… my heart beats with his…"
My world shattered like broken steel.Aurelia grasped Lyra's hand, her eyes blazing determination."This spell will break – my magic against my aunt's darkness!"But Lyra's gaze remained locked on mine, voice barely audible."Eryndor… my heart chooses you – yet beats for him. What sorcery is this cruel fate?"I dropped my sword, arms embracing Lyra fiercely."Not fate – we defy this. Aurelia, break the spell – no matter the cost."Cassius sneered."The cost will be Lyra's memories of you, Eryndor – my aunt's spell links heart to heart… and soul to soul. Choose: Lyra forgets you – or dies loving you."Suddenly Aurelia whispered, "Wait… my aunt's spell has a loophole…"
Aurelia's eyes sparkled with hope."My aunt's spell binds heart to heart – but can be broken by…a third heart loving equally – mine already loves Lyra, and sees the love you share…"Lyra's gaze locked onto mine, then Aurelia's – understanding dawned."Your heart loves me too, Aurelia… and Eryndor loves me – could your love for us both break the spell?"Aurelia nodded fiercely."Yes. My aunt's magic never anticipated… a bond between three hearts."Cassius snarled."No – this perversion won't save her!"I drew my sword again, pointing at Cassius."Silence. Aurelia – seal our three-hearted bond – save Lyra."Aurelia stepped forward, hands on ours – eyes burning with magic."By love's triad power… LET THE SPELL SHATTER."
Magic swirled – Aurelia's eyes blazed bright blue. The air trembled – Lyra's chest glowed softly –then her heart's rhythm shifted – synchronizing with MINE alone.Lyra's eyes locked onto mine – tears of joy streaming."Eryndor… my heart beats only for YOU now."Cassius stumbled back, defeated – my sword still raised. But Aurelia caught my arm, whispering."Spare him – his heart will now reveal… my sibling's darkness."Cassius collapsed to knees, speaking robotically."Aurelia's brother… Malakar – resurrects dark emperor Xandros…to destroy your trio's reign – and rule with dark magic and eternal night," Cassius finished, eyes glazing back to normal.He looked up at Aurelia with fear."Your brother Malakar comes for you… to bind your magic to his will."Aurelia's face set in determination."Never. Lyra, Eryndor – we must prepare for war against my family's darkness."Lyra nodded fiercely."Together, our trio will defeat them – Prince Kael will join our cause."I drew my sword fully out now."Malakar and Xandros will face my steel – Aurelia, what powers does your brother wield?"Aurelia's eyes darkened."Malakar controls shadows – and has resurrected Xandros with…my own mother's dark soul – making Xandros nearly invincible."
Suddenly castle gates shattered – a dark figure emerged – shadows dancing around him like living darkness."Malakar…" Aurelia whispered, eyes blazing defiance.Malakar's voice was low and menacing."Sister dear – Lyra, Eryndor… how charming.Xandros's resurrection is complete – thanks to your heart bond…its power called my mother's soul back – NOW HE AWAKENS!"Behind Malakar, a massive stone sarcophagus cracked open –Xandros emerged, eyes glowing red – skin like decayed earth.His voice thundered."I AM XANDROS – DARK EMPEROR REBORN.YOUR TRIO'S LOVE WILL BE MY FIRST SACRIFICE."Lyra grasped my hand – Aurelia summoned magic flames.