Lahat ng Kabanata ng Ascend or Be Consumed: Kabanata 131 - Kabanata 140

Lucan booked us a reservation.A reservation since I entered the Void.And the entire time we were getting dressed I kept biting back the urge to ask, Is it within Blackcroft?Because the last thing I needed was Veylor going ballistic again, lecturing me, reading my Core, and threatening disciplinary actions because I broke another of Blackcroft's hundred laws.But I also knew exactly how Lucan would react. He’d tilt his head, stare Veylor down with that razor-calm expression and say,“I don’t need your permission to take my mate out on a date.”I remembered how angry that bold, reckless attitude had nearly gotten me killed between them, and I glanced at Lucan. He was preparing some ritual stuff. I didn’t know if that made me warm in the chest…or worried about his lifespan.From the information I've gathered about the Apex and the Apex Circle, Veylor Seagrave was the oldest and most powerful Apex. Maybe that was why General Caldert was crazy over him.‘You are crazy about him too.

“Juno…” My name broke out on his lips. It stirred something ravenous in me. “You don’t know what you do to me.”“I do know. I’m grateful you are mine,” I whispered into his mouth.A wave of his power flared through the air, soundlessly, and the door to the Star Chamber opened on its own. The curtains made of silver starlights parted. Within the chamber, the chamber glowed like a perfect night sky, stars scattered across every surface. At the far edge, against a transparent wall, stood a wide circular bed. A rope extended from the wall and dropped on the bed. My eyes squinted when I couldn’t see what anchored it.The atmosphere was thick with ancient, numinous magic, and it was throbbing with an inherent rhythm. I returned my gaze to Lucan. Clearly, I was satisfied with his reservation. He smiled softly as he carried me across the threshold without letting my eyes leave his. He approached the circular bed with measured steps, and as he lowered me onto it, the cosmos seemed to spill

I spent nearly an hour trying to persuade my stubborn wolf that I couldn’t return to the Star Chamber, but she refused to listen.‘If you didn't find him in the Star Chamber, then go to his villa. Tell him you have General Caldert’s journal and that you risked your life and others for it. And when you read the first line, you lose your eyes. Be honest for once, Juno.” Her last words pierced my tight chest. ‘I can't go back to the Star Chamber. Besides, he must have left. I told him I needed space. He won't be waiting.’‘Go check first. And you don't have to show him or any of them the journal. Just tell them you have it. That's all. If they demand to see it, you must threaten to burn it.’I wanted to agree with her request, but I wasn't sure the array would work now that I was blind. I didn't want to risk teleporting out of Blackcroft and to some other places I didn't know. That would be horrible. I would rather stay here. And think of what to do.‘You remember the room, don’t you?

After Lucan gently led me back to the circular bed, we kept sharing glasses of Shiningbliss until I couldn't stop feeling the warmth of both the drink and his comforting presence, which eased my mind and made me too horny. This was the longest night of my life. His fingers slid to the back of my neck, steering my face toward him with exquisite patience. Without my sight, every sensation felt sharpened. I could feel the warmth of his breath, the closeness of his body, and the steadiness he enveloped me in ten times more. “Tell me,” he prompted, his thumb brushing my lower lip. “When he claimed you in that dream… Did you believe him?” I stiffened, the memory lancing through me. He sensed it at once, his other hand taking hold of mine, providing an immediate sense of calm and solidity. “Easy,” he muttered, his deep voice dropping to a rasp. “I told you—I’m here.” “I didn’t want to believe him,” I said softly. “But it felt… real.” His breath hitched. “What part of it felt

High Chancellor Veylor drew a final snarl of breath, and he was gone, disappearing with purpose I had no trouble recognizing.He was heading to the Star Chamber.Heading for Lucan.I stood alone in the palpable tension.My heart was pounding, and my world was still swallowed in black. My mind began to race.If Veylor reaches Lucan… what will he—A sudden knock on the door made every hair on my body rise.Someone was there. My senses told me it was Mistress Lune. Before I could react, the door flew open.“Juno, you—oh!” She swept into the room in a rush of silk and perfume, her expected excitement hitting me. “Look at you. You look absolutely stunning in your new—”Her voice cut off.I felt, rather than saw, her freeze.“Juno?” she whispered, shock escaping her. “Why are your eyes… unfocused?”I turned my head slightly toward her. That was all it took.“Oh no.” I heard her rush closer, her robes brushing the floor. “Tell me you are not blind.”I hesitated and that was enough.The ne