Chapter 23: The Night They Tried to Kill Her
Night fell quietly over the castle.
Too quietly.
Elara sat in her room, the crown resting on her head, its glow low and calm. The events of the day still lingered in her thoughts—the wardlight, the nobles' fear, the way the court had fallen silent when she stepped forward.
She knew something had changed.
People no longer just watched her.
They feared her.
She stood and walked to the window. The moon was high. The courtyard below was empty. Guards stood at their posts, still and alert.
Yet the crown pulsed once.
A warning.
Elara froze.
Her heart began to race. "Something's wrong," she whispered.
The wardlight stirred around her, faint but ready.
She turned just as the door creaked open.
Three figures slipped inside.
They wore dark cloaks. Their faces were hidden. One carried a short blade that gleamed faintly in the moonlight.
Elara's breath caught—but she did not scream.
Stay calm, she told herself.
"Do not move," one of them hissed. "We don't want this to be painful."
Elara swallowed. "You shouldn't be here."
One of them laughed softly. "That crown doesn't belong to you."
The crown pulsed sharply.
The wardlight flared.
Golden light filled the room—not bright, not blinding—but strong. It spread around Elara like a shield.
The first attacker rushed forward.
The moment he touched the light, he was thrown back across the room. Not hurt—just stopped.
The others froze.
"What is this?" one whispered.
Elara's voice shook, but she stood firm. "Leave. Now."
They didn't listen.
The second attacker lunged from the side.
Elara raised her hand.
The wardlight expanded, pushing him away as well. He hit the wall and slid down, stunned but alive.
The third hesitated.
"You can't keep this power," he said. "The nobles will never allow it."
Elara felt fear rise—but also something stronger.
Resolve.
"I am not your enemy," she said. "But I won't let you hurt me."
The man raised his blade anyway.
Before he could move—
The door burst open.
"Enough!"
King Araion entered, sword drawn, his presence filling the room like a storm.
The third attacker dropped his weapon instantly.
Guards rushed in moments later, seizing the intruders.
The room fell silent.
Elara's knees weakened. The wardlight faded.
Araion was at her side in seconds, steadying her.
"Are you hurt?" he asked urgently.
She shook her head. "No."
His jaw tightened. "They dared to touch you."
She looked at the attackers, now restrained. "They were sent," she said quietly.
"Yes," Araion replied. "By nobles who fear what you are becoming."
Elara's chest felt tight. "They want me gone."
"They want control," he said. "And they failed."
He turned sharply to the guards. "Take them away. Secure the palace. No one enters or leaves without my word."
When they were alone again, Araion finally allowed his worry to show.
"You should not have faced them alone," he said.
"I didn't know," Elara replied softly. "But the crown warned me."
"And you trusted it," he said. "That saved your life."
She sat on the edge of the bed, shaking now that the danger had passed.
"They really tried to kill me," she whispered.
Araion knelt in front of her, meeting her eyes. "Yes."
Tears filled her eyes—but did not fall.
"I was scared," she admitted. "But I didn't freeze."
"That is strength," he said.
She looked at her hands. "The wardlight… it protected me."
"It obeyed you perfectly," Araion said. "You survived an assassination attempt without taking a life."
She looked up sharply. "They're alive?"
"Yes," he said. "Because you chose restraint."
The crown pulsed softly.
Araion stood and looked out the window. "This changes everything."
"How?" Elara asked.
"They have crossed a line," he said. "The court can no longer pretend."
She hugged her arms. "Will they try again?"
"Yes," he said honestly. "But now, they know you are not helpless."
She took a deep breath. "Then I won't hide."
Araion turned to her, surprised.
"They attacked because they fear me," she continued. "If I shrink now, they'll strike again."
His eyes searched her face.
"You are choosing to stand," he said.
She nodded. "I won't be a shadow queen."
Silence fell between them.
Finally, Araion spoke softly. "I will increase your guard."
"I know," she said. "But promise me something."
"What?" he asked.
"Teach me more," she said. "Not just magic. Strategy. Defense. Truth."
He nodded slowly. "I will."
He paused. "Tonight proved something."
"What?" she asked.
"You are no longer just chosen," he said. "You are a threat—to those who cling to the old order."
She swallowed. "Is that bad?"
"No," he replied. "It is inevitable."
As dawn approached, Elara stood at the window again. The castle was quiet, but different now.
She had been hunted.
And she had lived.
The crown rested steady on her head.
They tried to kill her—
And failed.