“He was supposed to become a vessel.”
“A weapon.”
“A king strong enough to keep enemies terrified.”
Elara looked at his enormous body.
Seraphine continued.
“But your mother interfered.”
The Queen’s eyes darkened.
“She used the Vayne bloodline to break the ritual.”
Alaric’s voice dropped.
“That is why you killed her.”
Elara turned.
Everything stopped.
“My mother died of fever.”
Seraphine said nothing.
Elara stared.
“Say something.”
The Queen’s silence answered.
Elara crossed the floor before anyone understood.
She slapped Seraphine.
The sound cracked through the throne hall.
Guards gasped.
The Queen staggered half a step.
Her cheek reddened.
Elara’s hand shook.
“You killed her.”
Seraphine touched her face.
Then laughed.
“Your mother poisoned herself.”
“What?”
“She knew I needed her blood.”
The Queen’s eyes hardened.
“So she made it useless.”
Elara felt sick.
“She took nightroot for months. Small doses. Enough that any ritual using her blood would fail.”
Alaric looked stunned.
He had not known.
Seraphine continued.
“She died slowly rather than let me finish what I began.”
Elara’s knees weakened.
The Beast caught her elbow.
Carefully.
She looked at him.
He waited.
No grip beyond what she needed.
Elara did not pull away.
Seraphine noticed again.
“She did not die for nothing.”
Elara looked back.
“What?”
The Queen smiled.
“She preserved you.”
Elara’s heart changed.
“From what?”
Seraphine looked toward Alaric.
“From him.”
The Beast roared.
“You liar!”
“Am I?”
Seraphine raised her voice.
“Ask him what the curse requires to break.”
Elara looked at Alaric.
He went silent.
The Queen smiled.
“There.”
Elara’s stomach dropped.
“What does it require?”
Alaric stepped away.
“Nothing.”
“Elara.”
Seraphine’s voice almost sounded gentle.
“Ask.”
She did.
“What breaks the curse?”
Alaric looked toward the windows.
His answer came slowly.
“The storm keeper must choose the beast willingly.”
Elara stared.
“What does that mean?”
Seraphine laughed.
“Not a kiss, if that is what your childhood tales taught you.”
The court shifted uncomfortably.
Elara’s face heated.
Seraphine continued.
“The keeper must join her bloodline to his.”
Elara understood.
“Marriage?”
“More than vows.”
Alaric roared.
“Enough!”
He moved toward the throne.
Guards raised weapons.
Elara caught his hand.
Or tried.
Her hand looked tiny around one clawed finger.
He stopped.
She looked up.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“Eighteen years.”
“You knew I could undo this?”
“Yes.”
“And you never came to me?”
His eyes filled with shame.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I would rather remain this forever than appear at your door asking you to surrender your life to fix mine.”