LOGINChapter One Hundred ThirteenHecate POVThe morning light was pale and cold, filtering through the narrow windows of the castle's lower level. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and distant woodsmoke, the kind of morning that felt like a fresh start even when the weight of the past pressed heavy on your shoulders. Hecate stood in the courtyard, her arms wrapped around Tori, holding her close for what might be the last time.Tori's body was warm against hers, familiar and solid, a reminder of all the years they had spent together. The years of hiding, of running, of surviving. The years when they had been each other's only comfort, only ally, only family. The years when the world had been against them, and they had clung to each other like the last two leaves on a dying tree.Hecate had treated Tori's wounds herself, applying salves and bandages to the raw marks on her wrists where the ropes had bitten. She had healed the cuts on her ankles, the bruises on her shoulders, the
Chapter One Hundred ThirteenHecate POVThe morning light was pale and cold, filtering through the narrow windows of the castle's lower level. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and distant woodsmoke, the kind of morning that felt like a fresh start even when the weight of the past pressed heavy on your shoulders. Hecate stood in the courtyard, her arms wrapped around Tori, holding her close for what might be the last time.Tori's body was warm against hers, familiar and solid, a reminder of all the years they had spent together. The years of hiding, of running, of surviving. The years when they had been each other's only comfort, only ally, only family. The years when the world had been against them, and they had clung to each other like the last two leaves on a dying tree.Hecate had treated Tori's wounds herself, applying salves and bandages to the raw marks on her wrists where the ropes had bitten. She had healed the cuts on her ankles, the bruises on her shoulders, the
Chapter One Hundred ThirteenHecate POVThe morning light was pale and cold, filtering through the narrow windows of the castle's lower level. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and distant woodsmoke, the kind of morning that felt like a fresh start even when the weight of the past pressed heavy on your shoulders. Hecate stood in the courtyard, her arms wrapped around Tori, holding her close for what might be the last time.Tori's body was warm against hers, familiar and solid, a reminder of all the years they had spent together. The years of hiding, of running, of surviving. The years when they had been each other's only comfort, only ally, only family. The years when the world had been against them, and they had clung to each other like the last two leaves on a dying tree.Hecate had treated Tori's wounds herself, applying salves and bandages to the raw marks on her wrists where the ropes had bitten. She had healed the cuts on her ankles, the bruises on her shoulders, the
Chapter One Hundred ThirteenHecate POVThe morning light was pale and cold, filtering through the narrow windows of the castle's lower level. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and distant woodsmoke, the kind of morning that felt like a fresh start even when the weight of the past pressed heavy on your shoulders. Hecate stood in the courtyard, her arms wrapped around Tori, holding her close for what might be the last time.Tori's body was warm against hers, familiar and solid, a reminder of all the years they had spent together. The years of hiding, of running, of surviving. The years when they had been each other's only comfort, only ally, only family. The years when the world had been against them, and they had clung to each other like the last two leaves on a dying tree.Hecate had treated Tori's wounds herself, applying salves and bandages to the raw marks on her wrists where the ropes had bitten. She had healed the cuts on her ankles, the bruises on her shoulders, the
Chapter One Hundred NineElsie POVThe bleachers were crowded, bodies pressed together on every side, the air thick with anticipation and the sharp scent of sweat and excitement. Elsie sat between her parents, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her heart pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat. Beside her, Zuri sat with her back straight, her dark eyes fixed on the arena below, her hand resting on Elsie's knee beneath the folds of her gown.To anyone watching, they were simply mistress and maid. Close, perhaps, but nothing more. No one noticed the way Zuri's fingers curled around Elsie's, the way they held on to each other as if the world were about to end.Elsie's father, Alpha Garrath, sat on her left, his broad shoulders tense, his grey eyes scanning the crowd with the watchful alertness of a man who had learned long ago that danger could come from anywhere. Her mother, Nyra, sat on her right, her red hair hidden beneath a dark hood, her pale face unreadable. She had no
Chapter One Hundred SixThird POVThe dungeon was cold, the air thick with the smell of damp stone and rust. Torches flickered on the walls, casting dancing shadows across the room where Tori sat bound to a wooden chair. Her wrists were raw from the ropes, her ankle throbbing from the fall, but she held her head high, her dark eyes fixed on the king before her.Maddox paced the length of the room, his boots echoing on the stone, his golden eyes blazing with barely contained fury. He had been asking questions for what felt like hours, and Tori had given him nothing. Nothing but silence. Nothing but defiance."How are you still alive?" Maddox demanded, stopping before her. "How have you been hiding in my village for three years without anyone knowing?"Tori said nothing. She stared at the wall behind him, her expression blank."Where is Samantha?" His voice rose. "I know she is alive. I know she survived. Tell me where she is.""I have nothing to tell you," Tori said, her voice steady d
Chapter One Hundred FiveThird POVHours earlier, the tavern had been quiet, the morning light filtering through the grimy windows in pale, watery stripes. Tori sat at the table in the back room, her hands wrapped around a cup of cold tea, her heart heavy in her chest. She had been waiting for what
Chapter One Hundred SevenThird POVThe great hall had never looked more magnificent.Thousands of candles floated above the assembled guests, their flames casting a warm golden glow across the sea of silk and jewels below. Garlands of white roses and trailing ivy draped the pillars, and the stone
Samantha POVI woke to warmth.Not the damp heat of the dungeon. Not the cold loneliness of the small room I had been given after Father died. This warmth was steady and gentle, like sunlight filtering through morning mist.I stirred slowly, still half asleep, and felt fingers brushing softly along
Samantha POVMy ears were still ringing when the second struck of Carmen’s slap finally registered in my bones.I stood frozen in the center of the great hall, my cheek burning so fiercely that I could feel my heartbeat pulsing beneath the skin. The taste of copper flooded my mouth where my lip ha







