Page 71 of Shattered Crown

The potion burned going down, but Silas felt its effects almost immediately. Warmth spread through his body, easing the worst of the aches. Beside him, Kai knelt at the pool's edge, placing his hands on Thorne's shoulders and channeling healing energy into the water with practiced ease.

“Better?” Kai asked after several minutes.

Thorne's form stabilized slightly beneath the emerald waters. “Much. Thank you.”

“Don't thank me yet.” Kai glanced between them. “We're all pretty fucked up, but at least we're alive.”

Silas squeezed Thorne's hand, their bond pulsing with shared relief and lingering fear. They had survived, but at what cost? Sebastian had escaped with the Shadowblight, stronger than ever. The valley lay partially corrupted. Their grand alliance showed cracks already.

A commotion outside drew their attention. Lyra entered, her face drawn with fatigue. “A messenger just arrived from the capital. Your father's awake, Silas. He's requesting your immediate return.”

“What else did the message say?” Silas asked.

Lyra handed him a sealed scroll. “Only that Diana's been managing things in your absence, but the king insists on seeing you personally. Something about urgent matters regarding the kingdom's future.”

Silas broke the seal and scanned the contents. The language was formal but carried undertones of reconciliation. His father wanted to discuss succession, alliances, and the threat Sebastian posed. More surprisingly, the message acknowledged Silas's relationship with Thorne without condemnation.

“It could be a trap,” Thorne warned, his protective instincts flaring despite his weakened state.

“Or an opportunity,” Kai countered. “We need resources, political support. If the king's willing to provide that...”

“We can't ignore it,” Silas agreed reluctantly. “But I'm not leaving until you're stronger.”

The next several hours passed in a haze of healing rituals. Silas rarely left the pool's edge, monitoring Thorne's recovery with anxious attention. Their bond hummed constantly, each using it to anchor the other through the aftermath of defeat. The crystalline formations surrounding them pulsed in rhythm with their shared energies, accelerating the healing process.

By nightfall, Thorne showed significant improvement, the sanctum's ancient magic working more effectively than they had dared hope. Come morning, he finally managed to rise from the luminescent waters, his form maintaining cohesion without wavering. Relief flooded through Silas so powerfully that tears pricked his eyes.

“Hey,” Thorne said softly, reaching up to cup Silas's face as he emerged from the pool. “I'm okay. We're okay.”

Silas leaned into the touch, allowing himself a moment of vulnerability.

“We need to call a council,” he said. “Figure out our next move. We don't have time to waste.”

“Are you sure you're ready?” Elena asked, appearing at the chamber entrance. “Both of you still look like you've been dragged through the Eldergrove backward.”

“Ready or not, we need to act,” Thorne replied, his voice stronger than before. “Every hour we delay gives Sebastian time to strengthen his position.”

Kai crossed his arms. “And what exactly are we supposed to do? March right back into battle with half our forces depleted and our leaders barely standing?”

“No,” Silas shook his head. “But we need a strategy. Sebastian thinks he's won, that we're broken. That's an advantage we can use.”

“Spoken like a true Ashworth,” Nathaniel said as he entered the chamber, his stride purposeful despite the fatigue evident in his eyes. “Always thinking three moves ahead.”

“You should be resting too,” Lyra said, following close behind him. “The ritual drained you significantly.”

“As it drained us all,” Nathaniel replied with a dismissive wave. “But we don't have the luxury of recovery time. The Shadowblight won't grant us that courtesy.”

“Gather everyone,” Thorne decided, looking to Elena. “Every faction leader, every guardian elder who survived. We need everyone's perspective if we're going to find a path forward.”

Elena nodded. “I'll spread the word. The central chamber in one hour?”

“Make it half an hour,” Silas countered. “Time isn't our ally right now.”

As Elena departed to gather their forces, Thorne turned to Silas. “You're certain about this? The council will want answers we don't have.”

“Then we'll find them together,” Silas replied. “Besides, sometimes leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking the right questions.”

Thorne's mouth quirked in a half-smile. “When did you get so wise?”

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