The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 219

Chapter 219

Lylah’s POV

Finished

“Sold?” Tiara’s eyes widened, her voice sharp with disbelief. “You never told me how you and Nyx were separated. So when Alpha Eldric cast you out of Ironcrest, he sold her too?”

She pushed herself up from the bed, fixing me with a piercing look.

I nodded slowly. “They did.” My voice was steady-too steady. “After my grandmother passed, they ordered the stable hands to abandon Nyx. They hated seeing me ride.”

The memory rose anyway, unbidden.

“I used to sneak her grass, bring her water from the river with my own hands,” I continued quietly. “But it wasn’t enough, Tiara. Day by day, she grew thinner… weaker.” My fingers curled into the sheets. “So when they finally sold her…” I swallowed. “I didn’t stop them.”

The words tasted like ash.

“She deserved better,” I whispered. “A better owner. A better life far from Ironcrest.”

Far from me.

I kept my face composed, but the ache clawed its way up, raw and relentless. It was a wound I had buried for years-one that refused to stay forgotten.

“Oh, Lylah…” Tiara’s voice trembled, but there was fury burning beneath it as tears slipped down her cheeks. “That damned Eldric and Daia… they’ve taken everything from you. Far more than you ever let

on.”

I reached out, brushing the tears from her face with a faint smile. “Nyx is fine now. I’m sure of it.”

The lie-or perhaps the hope-felt fragile.

“That night before they took her away, I went to see her to say goodbye.” A faint breath left me.

“It might sound foolish, but Nyx’s eyes didn’t look sad.” I swallowed. “And somehow that was enough for me.”

Tiara sniffed, wiping at her tears. “I hope she found a kind new owner-someone who treats her the way she deserves.”

“Me too,” I murmured.

But deep in my heart, the prayer had never stopped,

Every time I recalled the Ironcrest wind whipping through my hair, the steady rhythm of hooves beneath me as we tore across open fields, my chest ached with longing. My dark-maned companion. My Nyx.

‘I hope I can see you again someday!’

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Chapter 219

The next morning, we returned to the arena.

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Tiara had been right-the students were no longer participants, only spectators now. The air buzzed with excitement, thick with the mingled scents of wolves gathered in anticipation.

We chose seats far from Rowan’s section, away from Griselda and her circle’s prying eyes.

I was half-listening to Tiara, our conversation light, when the crowd suddenly stirred.

Applause broke out.

A horse and rider entered the arena.

I barely registered the announcement.

A woman-slender, poised-stepped forward, leading a horse by the reins. The animal moved with quiet grace, its coat dark as midnight, its mane flowing like liquid shadow beneath the sun.

Black as midnight.

Achingly familiar.

“Is that Cora?” Tiara gasped, rising to her feet. “This has to be a joke. Since when can she even ride? And whose horse is that?”

But I was already standing.

My eyes locked onto the horse-its height, the way its mane caught the light, the shape of its eyes-

Something in my chest tightened.

“Lylah…” Tiara’s voice turned cautious as she studied my face. “Don’t tell me that horse… is that Nyx?”

“No…” I said, though my voice wavered faintly. “Nyx would be older now. Taller. Fully grown.”

But still, something about that horse felt achingly familiar.

A bloodline.

I knew it.

Cheers swelled around us as Cora guided the horse to the center of the arena, basking in the attention like it was her birthright.

“Lady Cora! What a surprise! Thank you for honoring us with your participation!”

“Your horse is as stunning as you!”

Behind her, Orion stepped forward, carrying the saddle and tack, his voice loud enough to carry across

the arena.

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“She’s a purebred racer, the kind a Pack’s warriors use for training,” he announced with quiet pride. “In case you weren’t aware, her mother-Nyx-was born in Ironcrest before being purchased by the Starfall Pack six years ago. And from her, this mare was born.”

The world stilled.

Nyx.

The name struck like a blow to my chest.

“Mina,” Cora said sweetly, her laughter light as she turned to the crowd. “Everyone, meet Mina-my horse.” She stroked the mare’s neck with practiced ease, her smile widening. “A gift from Alpha Eldric and Luna Daia for their beloved daughter.”

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The Betrayed Princess Rising