"Your Majesty," all the councilors in the room bowed their heads in respect.
But Queen Seraphira’s attention wasn’t on them, rather on her husband who was seated on her throne as if he owned it.
Catching her gaze, he bowed his head slightly, but only for show. "My Queen..."
Seraphira looked away, her gaze landing on Zyrella, still crawling weakly on the ground. She scoffed, then strode forward, deliberately stepping on Zyrella’s body as if she were nothing more than a bridge to walk across.
As expected of the Fae with their willowy looks, Queen Seraphira was slim and appeared as if she couldn’t weigh an ounce. However, with the use of her ability, she manipulated her mass. And when she walked on Zyrella, it felt as though the weight of a boulder crashed down on her, forcing a cry of pain from her lips.
The pressure compressed her armor into her body, and she heard not just one but many bones snap. It would be hell removing that armor—if the queen spared her life.
But her hope was short-lived. Queen Seraphira stepped on her head, crushing it completely. There were gasps from the audience—some even looked away—but Seraphira remained unrattled, her expression composed.
Since she was barefoot, Zyrella’s blood clung to Seraphira’s soles, and with each step she took, crimson footprints stained the floor behind her. The trail of blood made a bold, chilling statement that sent fear down the spines of all who watched. Whatever mood the queen was in, none dared test it. No one wanted to be next.
Then Queen Seraphira was standing in front of the dais, staring at Baron with a murderous look.
"I gave you a seat beside me," she said. "Not mine." Her tone was clipped.
"Apologies, Your Majesty..." Baron said with no remorse, stepping down from the dais slowly. "I didn’t realize ruling while you were indisposed was a crime."
He stopped beside her, adding, "It’s nice to see you back on your feet, Your Majesty."
He made to move when Seraphira said coldly, "Stop right there."
Baron halted at once, lifting a brow as if to say, What now?
Before he could react, Seraphira struck. A rush of her power surged toward him. Instinct kicked in as Baron moved immediately to defend himself, their powers colliding in a violent clash that sent a gust of wind tearing through the chamber, nearly blowing some of the councilors off their feet.
But Queen Seraphira wasn’t done.
She extended a hand and a guard’s sheathed iron sword flew from its scabbard into her grasp. The blade danced through the air, no longer held but willed by the queen.
The blade streaked through the air, targeting Baron with lethal intent, and he barely dodged in time, using his ability to deflect the incoming strike.
Sparks burst mid-air as his power clashed with the blade, the force of it drawing startled gasps from the councilors. They watched in stunned silence, unable to look away.
Even Baron looked shaken.
He hadn’t expected this from Seraphira. Had she forgotten they were bound together? If he died, she died too.
But Seraphira didn’t stop.
With a cold flick of her fingers, she summoned every sword in the chamber. A sharp clang resonated as the weapons ripped free from their scabbards causing the guards to stumble back in alarm as their hilts flew out of their belts and took to the air answering the queen’s command.
The second sword first slammed into Baron’s stomach and folded him over with a grunt. Then the third hit his back, sending him stumbling. And the fourth hit behind his knee, then swept his legs clean from under him.
Baron crashed to the floor, the breath knocked out of his lungs. Before he could rise, five iron swords hovered above him in a perfect circle pointing down, and ready to end him.
One of the iron swords dipped low enough to kiss his throat, slicing it just enough to draw blood. A single crimson bead ran down his neck.
Baron swallowed. This was a warning from Seraphira not to test her.
So he relaxed on the floor anyway and let her do what she wanted.
The silence in the throne room was thick as every councilor was too stunned to speak after what they’ve just witnessed.
Then, against the pounding fear in her chest, Councilor Ada rose slowly from her seat.
"Your Majesty," she said carefully. "Forgive me, but what exactly is happening?"
With the cold elegance of a ruler, Queen Seraphira explained to her council.
"My consort," she began, her voice sharp and cold, "has been siphoning my powers behind my back."
Everyone gasped in shock.
The queen continued. "He has risked my life to gain strength for himself and such treachery is not merely a personal offense, but an attack on the crown."
A heavy silence fell on everyone. No one knew what to say without getting on the queen’s bad side.
"Baron took advantage of the life-bond between us. He knew I would not strike him fatally. He knew his death would claim mine too. And in that knowledge he grew ambitious."
Another wave of murmurs arose. Some leaned in toward one another, others stared at Baron in disbelief.
"Consort Baron will be—" A sharp gasp escaped her lips.
Seraphira staggered, grabbing the edge of the dais for balance. Her eyes widened.
"No..." she whispered. Not now.
Councilor Ada was on her feet. "Your Majesty! Are you well?"
But the queen didn’t answer.
Outside, the once clear skies began to twist. Clouds spiraled unnaturally, darkening with alarming speed and the windows rattled.
"What is happening?!" someone cried.
There was the sound of chairs scraping as councilors rushed to the windows. They watched as darkness fell on them.
Then came a shout from one of them. "I see two moons!"
The room exploded in commotion.
"Two moons?"
"That’s not possible—"
"Such an eclipse happens only during a royal birth.... ?"
But Seraphira knew the truth. Violet’s powers had just been unbound.