CHAPTER 256: _PROPHECY BINGO CARD

Elian’s POV

*****

"Why are you two looking at me like I grew wrinkles overnight?" Aurora broke the silence that came after Lucian picked up her call.

Same sass. Same sharp silver eyes that made her look like she could easily read everyone in the room. Because she could.

"Oh... Oh..." She grinned, gaze fleeting between Elian and Lucian. "Are those mom and dad’s thrones? Ouu, did I interrupt something or—"

"You literally left only yesterday, Aurora." Lucian rubbed his forehead. "That’s why I’m shocked. What, you already feel like coming back?"

Aurora sniggered, swatting her silver hair back. "You wish. Maybe I’ll drop by for the wedding. Saw your announcement last night by the way—Congrats, big brother!"

Elian sat there awkwardly, watching their interaction. She’s only been gone for a day but he could tell. Lucian already missed his sister. Despite how hard he tried to hide it.

"Anyway, this isn’t a welfare call." Aurora’s expression became serious. "I’m calling because something happened at the place Seraphyne and I slept over last night."

Elian’s brows furrowed and so did Lucian’s.

The latter hesitated before speaking. "The way you say that makes me feel like the place you’re at is temporary or something."

"Let’s go with ’or something’." Aurora winked. "So, Seraphyne and I were getting ready, about to settle in and—"

"Please, don’t go into any unnecessary details." Lucian chimed hurriedly, features twisted with horror.

The Princess chuckled dryly. "Oh, please. Don’t act like you’re the most innocent pea in the pod. And no. Nothing explicit happened between—"

"Aurora?" Seraphyne’s familiar light voice echoed in the background, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps.

Soon, she stepped into the frame, hazel eyes shaded with black eye shadow. Her short black hair was vibrant, a friendly smile lighting up her face.

"Oh, good morning, your Highnesses." Seraphyne waved, giving Aurora a scolding look. "Why didn’t you tell me you were chatting with your brother and his mate?"

[Welp... Isn’t this adorable? The Stormborn siblings and their mates in one virtual gay meet-cute.]

"Because it’s not a chat, Sera." Aurora sighed. "I was about to tell them about what happened last night."

Seraphyne’s eyes widened. "Good call!" She brought her eyes to the boys, leaning closer to the screen. "So last night this mysterious black bird perched on our window. Leaving behind clear traces of magic."

Elian’s frown deepened.

Black bird? Magic?

[Yeah, we witnessed that cloaked woman turn into one last night.]

’Not just any cloaked woman. Amara.’ Elian pointed out mentally. ’But what the heck is she doing around Aurora?’

"That’s strange..." Lucian glanced briefly at Elian, his features tense. "Elian and I spotted a black bird on the spot beneath my bedroom balcony. Flew off into the night before we could do anything."

Elian clenched his fingers on the armrests. He needed to speak up.

"It was a witch in a black cloak. She transformed into the bird." He blurted. "Could she be the same one who perched on your window last night? Is there anything else?"

Seraphyne nodded hastily. "Yeah. The bird left behind specks of magic dust. Red. They faded into the wind before I could collect any."

Lucian’s expression darkened. "Guards, out. All of you."

The sentinels in white and gold armour bowed without question, the clang of their boots echoing against the marble floor as they exited. Once the heavy doors closed, silence pressed in like a living thing.

Aurora’s usual teasing smirk faltered. She shifted in her seat on the holographic projection, the faint hum of the communicator filling the pause. "Alright... so this isn’t just me being dramatic."

Lucian folded his arms. "You wouldn’t have called if it was."

Aurora sighed. "Two nights ago—no, the night of Father’s death—I had a dream."

The change in her tone made Elian’s stomach tighten. "A dream?" he repeated with a whisper.

"A nightmare," she corrected softly. "I was standing in a desert. The Dark Lands, I think—nothing but endless red sand. It was quiet at first. Too quiet. Then... I saw someone crawl out of the ground."

Lucian’s brows furrowed. "Who?"

"My ex mate." Her voice trembled slightly. "Magnus. He looked... wrong. His eyes were sunken, skin peeling like ash. He snarled at me, started shifting into something else. First into Father. Then... into a woman with a hooded cloak. I couldn’t see her face at first, but when she looked up—her eyes glowed red."

The temperature in the throne room seemed to drop a few degrees.

Elian’s breath caught. A woman with red eyes...

Aurora hesitated, glancing away as if afraid of her own memory. "She told me to watch out for the Moon Blessed. Said he’d decide the fate of Solara itself."

Lucian straightened, the muscle in his jaw ticking. Elian, on the other hand, froze completely. His pulse stuttered. He felt the word sink into his bones like poison.

Moon Blessed.

That was him.

He was the one she meant. And no one else knew.

[Well, congrats, sunshine. You’re officially on every prophecy bingo card in existence.]

’Not helping,’ Elian shot back mentally, fighting the urge to shrink into his chair.

Aurora continued, voice low. "When I woke up... there was red sand under my nails. Real sand. I checked the sheets, the floor—everything. It wasn’t just a dream."

Silence.

Lucian exhaled slowly, his eyes flicking between his sister and his mate. "Earlier today, Elian and I were ambushed by Dark Hand agents," he said finally. "One of them, a witch, mentioned this Moon Blessed before they escaped. I think it’s connected."

Aurora frowned. "You think the dream and the attack—"

"I don’t think. I know." Lucian’s voice sharpened. "Too many coincidences in one day."

Elian stayed quiet, fingers curling tightly against his palms. His mind raced.

Should he tell them? Tell Lucian that he is the Moon Blessed? That the prophecy, the attacks, all of it somehow circled back to him?

No. He couldn’t. Not yet.

What if they looked at him differently? What if they feared him?

[Or worse, worship you.]

He swallowed hard. His throat felt dry.

Aurora’s voice softened. "Whatever’s happening, you both need to stay cautious. This isn’t over."

Lucian nodded once. "We will."

"Good." Aurora offered a faint smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Tell Mother I’ll contact her when we’ve figured out where to stay next. Seraphyne’s already strengthening the wards."

"Stay safe, sister."

"You too, big brother."

The holographic screen flickered, then vanished, leaving only the faint shimmer of residual light.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Elian’s lips parted, finally finding his voice. "Lucian, I—"

Before he could finish, Lucian’s communication ring vibrated sharply.

He frowned, glancing down. "Delta Reina."

Elian blinked. "Reina?"

Lucian accepted the call, and her voice came through, sounding urgent. "Your Majesty, the Arcadian Council have accepted our request for an audience."

Elian’s pulse skipped.

This call could help give a clue on whether Arcadia really was behind the elusive Dark Hand. Or Amara and her body-hopping husband.