Chapter 32. Two Queens, One Throne

The vault’s light dimmed slowly, like a breath being held. Threads of gold and silver retreated into the mountain’s veins, vanishing one pulse at a time.

When the last shimmer faded, Selene and Veyra stood alone at the center of the chamber—hands still joined, the Oathstone pulsing beside them like a sleeping heart.

No one spoke.

The silence felt sacred. Final.

Then the flamekeeper stepped forward, her face carved in shadow.

“The mountain has accepted you both,” she said.

A pause.

“Now the world must.”

She turned to the others gathered at the vault’s edge—Rael, Mairead, Letha. Their faces mirrored Hollowridge itself: awe, fear… and something rarer.

Faith.

“What does it mean?”