The blue flames above Caelan's head suddenly intensified.

He stumbled backward.

"Get it off me!"

Lucien rushed forward, but an invisible force threw him across the chamber.

"Lucien!" Seraphina shouted.

He caught himself against the stone wall.

"I'm fine!"

The crown continued hovering above Caelan.

The voice beneath the throne echoed again.

"The shadow has returned."

Caelan clenched his fists.

"I don't belong to you."

The voice laughed.

"You belong to no one."

"Then why are you calling me?"

The blue flames turned black.

"Because you are the Crownless King."

---

The chamber shook.

Cracks spread across the frozen walls.

Lyra held the Crystal Heart tightly.

"It's reacting to Caelan."...