Chapter 8
The color drained from his face in an instant.
The maid helped me to the stone bench and quietly withdrew.
Once she was gone, King Alaric drew a long, steady breath.
“Selene,” he said softly, “I know I’ve wronged you. Whatever you want, I’ll make it up to you. Anything.”
I tilted my head back, lips curved in a faint, bitter smile. “Your Majesty, all I want… is Daisy back.”
His expression turned grim. “Selene, don’t put me in this position. The dead cannot return.”
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he stepped forward and seized my shoulders,
“Didn’t you once say you loved me? I’ll make you my queen consort–right now. The title was reserved for Evelyne after she gave me an heir, but if it means keeping you by my side, It’s yours.”
Each word from his mouth carried the weight of some grand favor. But all I felt was revulsion.
I never wanted nor envied–that title..
“Please, let go of me, Your Majesty.”
Seeing my cold demeanor, he finally began to panic. He dropped to his knees, looking up at me.
“Selene, please. Don’t do this. I was blinded by that cursed binding spell I had no idea Evelyne could be so vicious.”
I know I was wrong. Can’t you forgive me?”
“Your Majesty,” said quietly, “how does one forgive two years trapped in the Crimson Pavilion, stripped of dignity, of self?”
However, I had already accepted it as divine punishment for delving fate, But Daisy what had she done to deserve it?
“Selene… I know I was wrong.” His lips trembled as he cupped my face in both hands. Please, forgive me. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it right” I gave a soft laugh. “Your Majesty, you’re mistaken. The Divination Rindal is just two weeks away. What life do you have left to offer?”
Η
Then his eyes turned bloodshot. “You’re the High Priestess of this kingdom! Your duty is to read the omens–for me, for the army! Have you forgotten your predecessor’s last command? I need you to divine the will of the gods!
I glanced down at my hands–mangled, useless.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I can no longer hold the divination bones… let alone read the stars.”
The physicians from the Royal Infirmary had already confirmed it. They now knelt trembling before the throne,
“Your Majesty,” one said, “High Priestess Selene’s hands are beyond recovery. There is nothing we can do.”
“No!” King Alaric roared, sweeping everything from the table in a violent crash,
“That’s impossible! I never gave the order to harm her hands!”
The physician trembled. “Your Majesty, the High Priestess has been ingesting Bone Softener Elixir. A mere three days‘ dose weakens the limbs; according to her condition, she’s been consuming it for two years.”
The king staggered forward, eyes blazing. “Do you have any idea what it means to speak such lies?”
“I wouldn’t dare!”
“Then do whatever it takes to heal her!” the king snapped. “If she’s beyond saving, then so are all of you”
*Please, Your Majesty, have mercy!” the physician cried.
“Even after two years of Bone Softener, there was still hope but two weeks ago, a wooden stake was driven into her shoulder. The placement was dellberate. It destroyed the nerves. Not even the gods can restore it now.”
Two weeks ago.
The king went still
I smiled faintly, “Your Majesty, that was when Lady Evelyne gave birth to your son. Have you forgotten?
“It was you who approved my punishment that day. You who stood by while the High Priestess Lyra struck the final blow…and allowed the stake to be
driven into my shoulder.”
“The one who destroyed my hands. was you!
King Alaric swayed where he stood.
“No… no, that can’t be 1 didn’t know it would
“Selene.” His voice cracked as he leaned in to kiss me.
I turned my face away. “Please, Your Majesty. Have the mercy to let me go. My hands are useless now–I no longer have any value to you!
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