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