She strolled in with deliberate ease, her black eyes scanning every inch of my appearance, as if assessing livestock before a slaughter.I forced myself to meet her gaze, unwilling to show the weakness she’d worked so hard to carve into me.
A slow, satisfied smirk curved her lips.“We will go into the throne room.”
Her words were a command rather than an invitation.
I said nothing.
She stepped closer, the scent of burnt cedar clinging to her like smoke.“You will stand by my side, and when the king enters, youwillbow.”
Her sharp nails ghosted over my arm.“Do not stare.Do not question.”Her smirk widened.“He will show you no kindness, so watch your tongue before you evendareto speak.”
I swallowed hard, the sound embarrassingly loud in the quiet room.“Does he know of me?”
A part of me already knew the answer—dreaded it, even as I asked.
Jasila’s grin turned razor-sharp.“He knowsall.”
My stomach clenched.
Lucky me.
She turned on her heel and strode away, not bothering to check if I followed.I slipped on the black leather sandals Mira had left behind and scrambled after her, struggling to match her pace.
The hallways stretched before us in eerie silence.I trailed my fingers along the corridor as we walked, jerking my hand back when they pulsed with energy.The air grew cooler as we passed through yet another set of doors.
We entered the throne room, coming to a halt.
The mountainous walls towered high above us, their jagged edges twisting into natural spires that disappeared into the darkness.Crowded masses stood in perfect formation throughout the space, bodies rigid as statues, their features lost in shadow.
I spun in a small circle, taking in the beauty of it all.A large section of the ceiling was missing, an open wound that allowed the moon to spill through.
Unlike everywhere else, there were no lit torches.I squinted into the corners where the moonlight couldn’t reach.The absence of fire made the darkness feel alive, stirring at the edges of my vision.
A single path stretched throughout the space—an open walkway leading to something, orsomeone.
Jasila’s hand shot out, gripping me by the arm and yanking me forward so I stood in line with her.I winced at the pressure and tried to pull away, but her grip only tightened.
The air vibrated—a tremor that rattled my teeth and bones.Then came the first deafening BOOM.It cracked the silence like thunder splitting the sky.
I jumped, my free hand flying to my hammering heart.
A drum.
BOOM.
Every head snapped toward the sound in synchronization.The rhythm quickened, my body tensing with each beat.One-two.One-two-three.Each pound reverberated through the stone beneath my feet, and I struggled to maintain balance as the floor swayed.
The grand doors at the far end of the throne room shuddered.
I braced myself as they burst open.
A shadow loomed beyond the threshold.
The king.
An ancient power surged through the air, pressing against my lungs.The pounding of the drums matched the frantic rhythm of my heart.
With one swift motion, the king raised his arms, and the world ignited.
