Chapter 34

Megan’s POV

I nodded dumbly in the wake of the towering man's hushed benediction, my entire corporeal form aquiver with uncanny primordial energies that defied quantification.

Just who was this imposing... host?

Guardian spirit?

His very presence exerted a granitic allure that made remaining upright an increasingly monumental effort.

As if sensing my disorientation, Lilly materialized beside me with that radiant fey grin of hers fully intact.

"That's quite enough metaphysical pleasantries for one evening, Your Resplendency," she chimed in a singsong lilt that danced along the precipice of insolence.

"My charge has been warmly received into the inner sanctum, as per your graciousness. Now, if you'd be so kind as to release her back into my shepherding for the remainder of our rite of unfettering?"

The leonine figure's piercing stare held me transfixed for one eternal, airless inhalation before he inclined his head in a