lood reached
The advisor's laughter faded with his smoke, but his words
your mother is stand
e lied," A
His fingers were cold a
Amara yanked her hand awa
blow that en
"You murdered the queen's mo
," Amara
ouncilors and guards remained frozen, some still kneeling, others staring
ed toward D
ers surrounded the old sanctuary. They meant to take her alive,
entrance. The guardian had reached the hall, snow and dust c
cut to him.
I did not know what
live long enough to make her suffer. She had already seen what
" Amara's voice shook. Her hands curled into fists a
N
at do yo
d. "I have expected nothing f
l bond pull tight between them, as if it wanted to stitch their hands toge
xactly wha
hunters were at the door. She had hidden you with Eryndor and sealed your s
ear to protect you, even if you hated me for it. Then she a
on blurred.
es
or forgiveness. Some
lappe
h the throne hall. Draven's head turned with the fo
ing for his sword. Amara's si
uard
oked back at her. He didn't raise
g despite the fury twisting her face. "You could have to
ned beneath
ore
u were safer
lieving I had no family, no power, no right to question th
know wher
ew what you
ilence ans
his changes nothing. He killed her
self." Seraphina's lips pressed shut under Amara's command. "You w
raven. "You said you
wil
ed the words out. "Leave me. Stay away from me. Do n
l bond s
of black light pulsed beneath his skin. The chains around his
forward. "Ama
what I
he fought to stay upright. A harsh breath tore from him. For
nd is not a chain you can simply sever.
ght pulsing under Draven's skin. He had killed her mother. Her mother had
't know whether she meant
ght. His blood-red eyes me
ave
skin spread like cracks through glass. He flinched, but
er heart, demanding she call him back. She clutc
the marble. He stopped only
ed into the d
t-and began tearing
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