Theron was good as dead.
The queen had uncovered his schemes, and in her eyes, it no longer mattered whether his intentions were noble or corrupt, he had gone behind her back. That alone was treason.
Still, he stood tall, summoning the last of his courage.
"Your Majesty," he began, voice firm despite the tremor beneath, "with all due respect… your strategies, they're bleeding the kingdom dry.
"Your father… your father would have chosen a swift end. Not this slow, grinding death. Not this war of pride. Your pride is bleeding the realm…. no, it's your obsession with more power and control that's turning our people into corpses and coin."
Theron knew he was going to die.
But if that was the case,
Then why not say what he had swallowed for years? Why not finally spit the venom he had been too much of a coward to voice?
"Your father would be ashamed of what you've become,"He was glad he finally said that.
Caladria's breath pulled, her violet eyes flashing with a furious intensity. "You dare?" she hissed. "You dare question my rule? You dare invoke my father's name, that sentimental, dithering fool who handed mercy to wolves and called it wisdom?"
Before Theron could stammer a reply, Caladria made a swift, almost imperceptible gesture with her free hand.
Theron turned to the queen's sentinels, thinking one of them will be the one to execute him, here and there. But he was wrong.
Vael, ever watchful, moved with lethal grace. The thin black cord snaked out, wrapping around Theron's throat.
Theron gasped, his hands clawing at the tightening noose, his eyes wide with disbelief and terror. A strangled gurgle escaped him.
Caladria's gaze remained locked on Theron, cold and unwavering. "Those who whisper of peace with our enemies are no better than the enemy themselves."
Vael tightened the cord. Theron's struggles became frantic, his face contorted. Then, with a final shudder, his body went limp. Vael released the cord, and Theron's corpse slumped to the stone.
Caladria finally looked away, her expression utterly devoid of emotion. "Dispose of him, and let the other know what happened to him. Let this be a lesson to any others who entertain such… cowardly thoughts."
The queens sentinels moved and took Theron away.
The Queen turned to her spymaster.
"And Vael. I want you to look into this prophecy. Let me know if you hear of any chosen one as they claim. I doubt there is any, but if you do find him, you know what to do."
Meanwhile,
Mira sat on a low wooden stool. Her brow furrowed in concentration, her finger tracing the curling script of the ancient book resting in her lap.
Her red lips silently formed the words and her mind raced with their meaning. A soft whisper escaped her lips.
"When embers walk and shadows speak, the Bound shall falter, the unbound creep. Born of ash, untouched by flame, a hollow child with no true name…"
She stilled, not even halfway through the passage, her gaze unfocused as she pondered the cryptic words. "What is this?" she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "Some prophecy?"
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the soft creak of the door behind her.
Kael stepped into the room, returning from Sherry's house, the lingering scent of Vivian clinging subtly to his clothes.
He closed the door gently and moved into the living room, his mind still replaying the intimate moments they had shared.
'She'd made it clear: this wasn't just a one-time thing.' A half-smile touched his lips. 'Would she let things go further next time? Actual sex…? I hope so. I hope she lets me do things with her.'
His internal musings derailed as he noticed Mira by the stool, her lips moving silently over the strange text of a book that looked as though it belonged in a forgotten tomb.
The words she whispered sent an inexplicable shiver down his spine. They sounded like something only a dark cult would say. 'Unnerving.'
His eyes lingered on the ancient pages for a moment before curiosity drew him closer. "What are you reading?"
Mira glanced up, startled, but quickly composed herself. "Why? Curious if I've finally found something more dignified than selling peaches and plums in the market?"
There was a lightness about her today that Kael noted; usually, her demeanor towards him was more stern. Startling her the way he did by walking up behind her? He would have gotten shouted at.
Kael smirked. "No judgment. I always thought you'd make a stunning priestess – all those curves and that cryptic wisdom."
A glimmer of her usual annoyance might have been expected at his comment about her curves, but this time, Mira merely arched a brow, a haughty little smile playing on her lips. "Beauty and brains. I'm wasted in the marketplace."
Kael sank into the nearest chair with a sigh. "I thought you'd be at the market."
Mira's expression shifted, a hint of irritation bubbling up as she shot him a look. "I would be at the market, if someone hadn't turned me into one of the most wanted women in the city."
She crossed her arms, her jaw tight, still frustrated by Kael's unnecessary brawl with the nobles. Yet, a part of her understood that the brawl was necessary to save her from those 'noble scum in silk.' And the blame felt unfair to her.
She sighed, a layer of gratitude softening the annoyance. Her gaze lingered on him for a beat too long.
"Kael, can you come here?" Her voice was softer now, an unexpected invitation.
"Why?" Kael questioned.
"Nothing, just walk over here."
"Why don't you come over here?" Kael suggested, rolling his eyes.
"Well, I'm older than you, by five whole years. I'm like your big sis, so get yourself over here now!"
"That's not happening!"
"Please, it won't take long." Mira's voice was gentle.
Kael sighed, getting up and stepping towards her. He tensed, wondering what she wanted. Was she about to scold me for ruining her business yesterday? His thoughts spiraled.
Before he could fully anticipate her intentions, Mira rose from the stool and, without warning, leaned over and hugged him.