The air grew colder as they moved closer to the borders of the Silver Kingdom. Tall, ghostly trees stretched overhead, their silver-tinged leaves whispering in the breeze.
Lucian led the way, his expression unreadable as always, while Selene trudged after him, eyes wide with wonder and unease.
"Is this... really the Silver Kingdom?" Selene asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Lucian nodded without looking back. "The outer forests. The heart of the kingdom lies further ahead."
Selene frowned. "It feels... different. Heavy. Like the air itself is watching us."
Lucian's lips twitched in something close to amusement. "Your instincts are sharp. Many things watch here — not all of them friendly."
Selene drew her cloak tighter around herself, shivering despite the warmth of her own blood. They walked in silence for a while longer, the crunch of their boots on the soft earth the only sound.
Finally, Selene broke the quiet.
"Lucian... back when we met those assassins in the forest... you didn't even flinch. You crushed them like they were nothing."
"They were nothing," Lucian said simply.
"Still..." She hesitated, gathering her courage. "When you fought them... you looked... angry. Really angry."
Lucian paused. His aura, normally so tightly controlled, flickered for just a moment.
"They were part of a world that once betrayed me," he said at last. "Their presence... stirred old memories."
Selene bit her lip. She wanted to ask more, but something in his tone warned her off.
Instead, she changed the subject.
"When we get to the Silver Kingdom... what do we do?"
Lucian resumed walking. "We find shelter first. You will need rest."
"And you?"
"I will watch."
Selene shook her head. "You always watch. You never sleep. You barely eat."
"I don't need much," Lucian said.
She sighed. "You're not human."
A faint smile — barely a quirk of the lips — ghosted across his face. "No."
They crested a hill, and the trees parted.
Before them lay the sprawling Silver Kingdom — towering walls of polished stone, silver banners fluttering in the high towers, and a shining city glittering beneath a pale sun.
Selene gasped.
"Home," she whispered.
Lucian's eyes darkened slightly, but he said nothing.
He stared at the city for a long moment, then spoke in a voice like distant thunder.
"Be wary, Selene. Not every smiling face welcomes you."
Selene nodded, the weight of his words sinking deep into her bones.
They descended the hill together, the city gates looming larger with every step.
And somewhere beyond those walls, the first whispers of treachery stirred — waiting to tear them apart.
Would you like me to continue immediately into Chapter 10 with this same lively, dialogue-rich style?