Moonlit Vows Of Vengeance-Chapter 67: Sky fire Empire

There’ll be guards, of course. And beasts. But you’ll be under my protection."

"Do they know you left?"

"My father will forgive me," she said. "Eventually."

We stepped into the sphere, and the world blinked.

The forest shimmered like glass under the strange twin moons, casting an almost silver glow over the winding trail. Lira pulled her hood over her head and walked with the ease of someone who knew exactly where they were going. Me? I was just trying not to trip on tree roots.

"You could’ve at least warned me that teleporting would feel like being shoved through a straw," I muttered, rubbing my temples as I stumbled after her.

Lira laughed—a light, melodic sound that made it hard to stay annoyed. "Would you have come if I had?"

"Fair point."

We’d left the academy grounds through a concealed portal hidden behind the northern cliffs. Apparently, students weren’t supposed to access it, which made me feel both guilty and a little thrilled. My magic was still a mystery, and the academy was slowly suffocating me. This, at least, was movement. Even if I had no idea where it would lead.

"Where are we, anyway?" I asked after the silence stretched too long.

Lira turned back with a grin. "This forest is called Dwyn’s Edge. It forms the outer border of my kingdom. We’ll hike through it for a day, maybe two. Then we’ll hit the floating isles. From there, it’s a direct path to my father’s gates."

My boots crunched over frostbitten leaves. "Floating isles?"

"You’ll see. Trust me, it’s amazing. They serve roasted honey fruit on sticks."

"Sold."

We walked in companionable silence for a while. The moonlight made Lira’s hair look almost white, and the glow of her magic—soft and flickering—hovered faintly around her skin. She had always seemed untouchable at the academy: cool, aloof, confident. But now she seemed more grounded. Human, even.

"How did you end up there?" I asked.

"At the academy?" She glanced over her shoulder. "Boredom. Court life is... exhausting. My brothers are always fighting over succession, my mother hates that I prefer swords to sewing, and my father—well, he indulges me. So I decided to explore this world like a normal person. Disguised, of course."

"And I thought I had problems," I murmured.

"You do," she said with a smirk. "That’s why we’re here."

I chuckled, but the sound felt foreign on my lips. Still, it was nice to laugh again. Even if I was technically still a runaway werewolf goddess from a world that didn’t exist anymore.

The path grew steeper as we moved uphill. Pines closed in around us, heavy with frost, their scent fresh and sharp. At some point, Lira found a creek and we knelt to drink. The water was cold enough to make my teeth ache, but it jolted me awake better than any slap.

By the time the stars were high, we found a small glade to rest in. Lira built a fire with practiced ease, humming some old melody under her breath. I watched the flames crackle, feeling warmth seep back into my fingers.

"Do you think your father will really help me?" I asked softly.

She looked into the fire. "My father... isn’t like the others. He believes in bargains. In oaths. He won’t help for free—but if you impress him, if he sees something in you—he will offer something in return."

"And if I don’t?"

"Then we run," she said, grinning. "And you’ll owe me dinner for life."

That night, under a canopy of stars brighter than I’d ever seen, I let myself dream of possibility. Of belonging. Of something other than silence and loss.

The next day brought sunlight and chaos.

It started with the squirrels.

Tiny things with glittering fur and beady golden eyes. They chirped like birds and threw small acorns at Lira’s head while she slept.

"Hey!" she cried, jolting up as one bounced off her forehead.

I laughed so hard I nearly fell into the firepit.

The squirrels fled, but not before dropping what looked like a shiny pebble wrapped in leaf. I picked it up and unwrapped it. Inside was a lump of something golden and sweet-smelling.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Honey lump," Lira said, sniffing. "They steal them from local bee-spirits. Pretty valuable, actually."

"Should we eat it?"

She shrugged. "Only one way to find out."

We split it in half and took a bite. The taste was pure bliss—like wildflowers, fire, and sunlight all melted into a single flavor. I groaned as warmth spread through my limbs.

"Okay," I said, "I like your weird magical squirrels."

"Told you this would be more fun than the academy."

By midday, we reached the cliffs she’d spoken of. Floating islands dotted the sky, suspended by glowing chains of magic that shimmered in hues of teal and gold. Bridges of light arched between them, swaying faintly with the wind.

"Don’t look down," Lira said cheerfully, stepping onto the first bridge.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it’s more fun when you scream."

She was right.

I screamed.

The bridge bounced with each step, and though the fall would probably kill me, I couldn’t deny the beauty. Islands floated like lazy clouds, each one filled with trees, fountains, and little shrines that glowed as we passed. There were creatures too—small, winged things with butterfly faces and bells on their tails. One landed on my shoulder and sneezed a puff of glitter.

"I’m gonna get glitter lung," I muttered, brushing it off.

"They like you," Lira said, laughing.

"Great. Maybe they can teach me magic."

We reached the last isle just as clouds began rolling in. The sunlight dimmed to a silver haze, and a strange, low sound vibrated through the air. novelbuddy.cσ๓

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

Lira held up a hand, eyes narrowing.

The growl came again, low and wet, like something hungry dragging claws against stone.

"Get behind me," she ordered, drawing a blade from her hip.