Lucius POV
I watched as Athena—or Kiara, I wasn't sure which name fit her best just yet—suddenly slumped into my arms. Her body went limp, her energy utterly spent from the overwhelming power she had summoned. My mind struggled to process the moment, to reconcile the chaos. A spirit had dared to invade my palace, the heart of my kingdom, and yet, if not for that spirit, I might have lost her all over again.
The realization hit me like a thunderclap. The fiery, unyielding woman I had foolishly tried to send away was my wife. She was Athena. The goddess Athena.
I turned sharply to Gideon and Kael, who immediately sprang into action without a word, their training kicking in. They would scour the palace grounds, ensuring no trace of the spirit's essence remained. My focus shifted to Maidservant Tae, who stood frozen, her hands trembling, her eyes wide with disbelief.
