The Cursed Empress

ned incense clun

d. Even after the altar cracked. E

e how she was

guards in black armor. Her bindings had been removed, but their fingers sta

dn't bla

rstand what had

ie like all the others. The next, the world was alight with golden

t felt l

Like being torn open an

e altar. She didn't remember the cr

or

ing unnatural. Something dangerous. And when he'

been a

the ceilings, carved with scenes from Noctarein's ancient wars. The

dungeon, as she expected, bu

eserved for im

m grunted, opening a

wing once. Years ago. Before the last crown prin

nopy bed sat in the center, larger than any room she'd ever slept in.

arth. She bowed low but

t. The door shut wi

the room, too stunned to s

"I was told to help you prepa

?" Nyra

dn't realized she hadn't

look up. "You're to be presen

her. "That's

Her expression wasn't unkin

impossible," she said s

r was scented with herbs Nyra didn't recognize. Her hands shook a

es on her colla

in. As if they had

he mirror, she didn'

ale. Her hair seemed darker than before, heavier

feel like

like a

as dressed in white silk, her shoulders bare, her hair b

ike someth

arrived to

, it was not

o the Th

ts lining the walls. No one whispered.

e

ios

tr

you looked at a storm. Beauti

f the Throne Hall open

silence g

face carved from stone. Beside her stood the Council: g

i

ce T

and armor, hair freshly tied,

't look

hated how loud her footsteps sounded. Like the whole

hen the guard

ort. Just cold marb

Dowager said without preamble. "You were

idn't

be a sacrifice. Not

e remaine

s mouth twisted slightly. "The

the councilors mur

yes then. "You th

s brok

r raised a hand. S

htly. "That cannot be undone. The peopl

apped to her now

et his

en river. Beautiful, deadly, wi

Oryan declared. "By law, she must be wed to

landed lik

breath

d Tho

said quietly. Dangerously. "T

e gods," the High Priest re

Heavy.

looked at her gran

l take place in three days. Until then, she is

s?" one of the

horne said, st

toward Nyra until he

idn't

voice low enough o

ss. Bathe like one. Speak li

ngers

a bread from the kitchens at night. Still the same or

ced. How did

istake that for acceptance. I don't trust you. I don't like

, until his lips

you down

hat, he turned

idn't

corted her back

maid dresse

y locked the door

moon rose again, Nyra stood by the open window an

inside her

cient. Somet

it whispering ben

not th

their re