bChapter /b242

    Dorian’s POV

    I could feel ra’s fingers brush against my hand. Her touch was light, but the cold of my skin made her shudder, and a wave of guilt hit me.

    “Get it together, Dorian,” she whispered in my car, her breath warm against my skin.

    I nodded, taking a shuddering breath. “Yeah, I know… Thanks.”

    Turning to Amara, ra’s expression twisted into something venomous. “me me, Amara? Are you serious? You guilted Dario all these years like this? Well, you’re not pulling that shit here. No one gets away tonight- especially not you.”

    Amara‘ face flushed with fury. “Shut up!” she spat. “You have no right to-”

    But ra cut her off, her tone sharp and unforgiving. “No right? Don’t make meugh. I’m not here to y games. You’re the one who’s about to pay for everything you’ve done. And you won’t get a damn thing from anyone but yourself.”

    The fire in Amara’s eyes red. She looked at me, her voice trembling as tears welled up. “Dorian… I did all of this for you! For us! Who on this could love you more than I do? We’ve been through everything together. We’re meant to be. The Moon Goddess–she has to have gotten it right, right? We can fix this. Together…”

    Her words wed at me, but I didn’t flinch. I couldn’t. My stomach churned at the thought of her.

    “Your love disgusts me,” I hissed, the words colder than I intended. “If the Goddess had picked you for me, I would’ve rejected you on the spot. You’re nothing but a mistake.”

    “NO!” she screamed, a tremor in her voice. “You’re lying… You’lle around, I swear–just give it time. You’ll see. You’ll understand.”

    I shook my head, cutting her off. “No, Amara. Unfortunately, time is the one thing you don’t have.”

    ra’s voice sliced through the silence, colder than before. “You will answer for everything. Don’t think this is over. It’s far from it.”

    Amara staggered back, her pride crumbling in front of all of us. “You–You shameless, lowborn piece of trash,” she seethed, her face contorting.

    I smirked. “You wanted to talk about hate? Why didn’t you ask your precious Nora to reject your bond then? You loved him so much, didn’t you? But you stayed with him, even had a kid for him.”

    Her face twisted, shock barely masking the guilt. “It… it’s none of your business,” she muttered, voice cracking.

    “Oh, but it is,” ra taunted, her eyes gleaming with a victorious gleam. “You can’t even deny it. You liked the life he gave you the title, the status. Thevish lifestyle. You loved pretending to be someone you’re not. But no matter how hard you try, it’s all fake. You’re not fooling anyone.”

    b10:21 Sat/bb, /bbSep /bb13 /b

    “Shut up! Shut the hell up!” Amara’s voice broke, her pride gone.

    “Not anymore.” Elder Briar’s voice was sharp and unforgiving. “The House of Shadow revokes its protectionb. /bWe no longer im you.” His gaze moved to me. “I request the King’s permission to expel her from our house.”

    I nodded coldly, my eyes locked on Amara. “Your request is granted.”

    Amara crumpled to the floor, her body sagging as though the weight of the world had fallen on her shoulders.

    “No… No… My title…” she whispered, defeated.

    I didn’t care for her pain. “Your title’s gone. You’re nothing but amoner now.” Dario’s words rang through the room, sharp and final.

    Amara’s sobs filled the space as she cried, “No… You can’t do this… I’m ady… I’ll die ady…”

    Her cries were interrupted by a small voice, high–pitched and filled with fear.

    “Stay away from my mom!” Bryan screamed as he rushed to her side, standing in front of her like a shield.

    Amara clutched him desperately, her tears streaming down his small frame. “Bryan… My son… Do you understand what they’re doing to your mother?”

    Bryan, his little arms wrapped tightly around her, shot wary nces at the room, his eyes wide with fear.

    “Bryan!” Dario’s voice rang out, firm and authoritative. “Come here. Stop listening to her—”

    “No!” Bryan screamed, stomping his foot. “You said you’d protect her! You lied! You’re all liars!”

    The room fell deathly silent, his words echoing in the air. How could Dario answer him? The truth was too cruel, too monstrous. He stood frozen, unable to respond.

    ra turned to me, her voice low but urgent. “We can’t let this go on. We need to decide now.”

    I met her gaze, a hard resolve settling over me. “Yeah. You’re right.”

    I looked down at Amara, the fury in my chest rising. “Hand over the cure. You’ve already killed Nora. Don’t make Elder Randy your second victim.”

    She shook her head violently. “No! You’ll never get it! I won’t let you—”

    “Then I’ll strip your son’s title too,” I dered coldly. “Think about it–when you die, he’ll be left with nothing. No title, no protection. Just amoner on the streets.”

    “NO!” Amara shrieked, clutching Bryan even tighter.

    “Mom, no!” Bryan’s voice cracked as his small body trembled, his tears soaking her clothes. “Please don’t let them take me! I don’t want to be a nobody!”

    The desperation in his voice was gut–wrenching, but it wasn’t enough. Not anymore.

    b10:21 /bbSat/bb, /bbSep /bb13 /b

    “Your choice.” I said, my voice colder than ice.

    Amara, defeated, whispered in broken tones, “The cure… It’s in my room. Bottom drawer of my dresser..

    A wave of relief washed over me. “Thank you.” I turned to Dario, “Go. Get it now.”

    “Take Master Bryan away,” I ordered, and two soldiers stepped forward, their hands firm but not unkind. They reached for the boy.

    “NO! My son!” Amara screamed, reaching out to him.

    Bryan kicked and screamed, thrashing in the soldiers‘ grasp. “I hate you! I hate all of you! I’ll kill you one day! You’ll regret this! Go to hell!” His voice faded, the words chilling as they echoed in the room.

    Amara sank to the ground, broken, her sobs uncontroble.

    I exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing. “I’m done waiting.” My voice was harsh,manding, loud enough for the whole room to hear. “She doesn’t deserve a clean death. She deserves worse.”

    The elders nodded in agreement, their eyes steely and unforgiving.

    “The water dungeon,” I announced, my tone final. “She’ll spend the rest of her life there. Freezing, drowning, beaten daily by snakes and rats. Let that be her punishment.”

    The room echoed with the sound of approval, the elders in agreement.

    Amara was dragged away, her cries fading as she was shoved from the room.

    ra watched her leave, her eyes dark with indifference. The punishment was harsher than we’d nned. But it was what she deserved.

    I turned to her, my voice softer now. “You’re dismissed. I need a moment alone with my Queen.”

    The room cleared out in silence. I waited for ra to scold me, expecting her to be angry.

    Instead, she didn’t fight when I pulled her into my arms.

    “Dorian,” she whispered, startled.

    “Stay,” I murmured, my voice tight with emotion. “I just need to hold you for a bit longer… Please.”

    She stopped resisting, letting her body soften into mine. Her heartbeat was quick beneath my ear.

    “What should I do…” I sighed, the weight of everything pressing down on me.

    She looked up, confused. “What?”

    “I think… I think I love you even more than before. And I don’t know what to do with this love. ra, what should I do with this love?”

    Her breath caught. I could feel it, the unspoken tension, and I didn’t need an answer. Not yet.

    b10:21 /bbSat/b, bSep /bb13 /b