Elara's POV
One hour until dawn.
One hour until I walk back to the place where I was supposed to die five years ago.
We need a plan, Cassian says, pacing his war room. Maps cover the table. Battle strategies. Escape routes.
But we both know the truth.
This isn't a battle we can win with swords.
Sera wants me, I say quietly. She'll have the medicine. We make the trade.
It's a trap.
I know.
Your mother will be there.
I know that too. I meet his eyes. But what choice do we have? If we don't go, Lowtown dies. Hundreds of people. Children.
Cassian slams his fist on the table. There has to be another way.
There isn't. I stand, my wounded arm throbbing. This is what she wants. Me dead. If I give her that, maybe everyone else lives.
No. His voice is hard. Final. I didn't find you just to lose you.
You might not have a choice.
We stare at each other. The tension thick enough to cut.
Then Darius enters. General. We have a problem.
What now?
Lowtown. The plague is spreading faster. We've had fifteen new cases in the last hour. His face is grim. Without the medicine, they'll all be dead by tomorrow.
My chest tightens. Fifteen people. Fifteen lives hanging by a thread.
We're going, I say to Cassian. We have to.
He looks at me for a long moment. Then nods once. We go. But not alone. I'm bringing soldiers. Hidden. If this is a trap, we'll be ready.
Sera said come alone
I don't care what Sera said. His gray eyes burn. I'm not letting you walk into your execution without backup.
We leave before dawn.
The old execution grounds sit at the edge of the city, abandoned for years. Gallows stand like broken skeletons against the gray sky.
This is where I was supposed to die. Where the executioner's blade was meant to take my head.
Instead, my loyal guard helped me escape. And I've been running ever since.
Until now.
I don't like this, Cassian mutters beside me. His hand rests on his sword hilt.
Neither do I.
We reach the center of the grounds. Empty. No Sera. No Mother. No soldiers.
Just us and the ghosts.
Where are they? I whisper.
Then I hear clapping.
Slow. Mocking.
Sera steps from behind the old gallows, smiling. Right on time. How obedient.
Where's the medicine? Cassian demands.
Safe. Sera holds up an empty hand. Did you really think I'd bring it here? I'm not stupid.
Then what do you want?
I already told you. Her. Sera points at me. Princess Elara trades herself. I give you the location of the medicine. Everyone wins.
Except me, I say.
Well, yes. Except you. Sera's smile widens. But you'll do it anyway. Because that's who you are. The martyr. The savior.
She's right. And I hate it.
Fine, I say, stepping forward. I'll go with you. Just tell them where the medicine is.
Elara, no Cassian grabs my arm.
It's the only way. I pull free gently. Save them. Please.
His jaw clenches. For a moment, I think he'll refuse. That he'll drag me away by force.
Then he releases me.
If you hurt her, he says to Sera, his voice deadly quiet, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth.
How romantic. Sera gestures. Come, Princess. Your mother is waiting.
I walk toward her, each step feeling like my last.
But as I reach Sera, something feels wrong.
Too easy. Too simple.
Then I hear it.
A whistle. High and sharp.
Sera's smile turns vicious. Did you really think we wouldn't expect an ambush?
The ground erupts.
Soldiers burst from hidden trenches dozens of them. Mother's forces. They surrounded us while we talked.
We're trapped.
Cassian's hidden soldiers pour out too, but they're outnumbered. The fight explodes instantly.
Run! Cassian shouts at me.
But before I can move, Sera grabs me. She's stronger than she looks. A blade presses against my throat.
Don't, she warns. Or I open her neck right here.
Cassian freezes, sword half-raised.
Drop it, Sera orders.
Don't! I shout. Don't give up your weapon
The blade presses harder. Blood trickles down my neck.
Cassian's sword falls to the ground.
Good boy. Sera starts dragging me backward, toward the trees. Now stay there like a good dog while I deliver the princess to her mother.
Sera, please, I gasp. You don't have to do this.
Yes, I do. Her voice is bitter. Your mother promised me everything. Title. Wealth. Power. All I have to do is bring you to her alive.
We reach the tree line.
That's when I see her.
Queen Isadora steps from the shadows, beautiful and terrible in the dawn light. Twenty more soldiers surround her.
Well done, Sera, Mother says. You've earned your reward.
The money first, Sera demands, blade still at my throat.
Mother laughs. Of course. Always the merchant's daughter. So concerned with payment. She nods to a soldier, who tosses Sera a heavy purse.
Sera releases me, catching the purse. She opens it, checking the coins
Mother's dagger plunges into her back.
Sera gasps. Blood bubbles from her lips. She falls to her knees, staring at Mother in shock.
What why
Because you're a loose end, Mother says calmly, wiping her blade. And I don't leave loose ends.
Sera collapses. Dead.
I stand frozen, watching my betrayer die.
Mother turns to me. Now, darling. Where were we?
Behind us, the battle rages. Cassian fights desperately to reach me, cutting through soldiers. But there are too many.
Mother's men grab me, binding my wrists with chains. Magic-suppressing chains that burn against my skin.
No! Cassian's roar echoes across the grounds.
But it's too late.
They drag me into the forest. Away from Cassian. Away from safety.
Toward whatever death Mother has planned.
The medicine, I gasp. Sera said she'd tell us where
There is no medicine. Mother's voice is cold. The cure was destroyed days ago. Sera was lying to lure you here.
Horror floods through me. You're going to let them all die?
I'm going to let your precious Lowtown burn as punishment for hiding you. Mother grips my chin, forcing me to look at her. And you're going to watch every single one of them die before I kill you.
We reach a clearing deep in the forest.
A ritual circle is carved into the ground. Ancient symbols. Dark magic.
My blood runs cold. What is this?
Your execution, darling. The one I should have completed five years ago. Mother shoves me into the center of the circle. But this time, I'm not leaving anything to chance.
She raises her hands. Magic crackles. The symbols glow with sickly green light.
This spell will drain your life force slowly, Mother explains. Hours of agony. And when you're finally dead, your magic will transfer to me. I'll become the most powerful ruler in history.
The spell activates.
Pain explodes through every nerve. I scream.
My magic tears from my body, flowing into Mother. Fire and healing combined, ripping away piece by piece.
I fall to my knees, unable to move. The chains burn. The spell tears me apart.
Through the agony, I hear distant sounds.
Cassian's voice roaring my name.
Steel clashing.
People dying.
And my mother, standing over me, drinking in my power with a smile.
Finally, she whispers. Finally, you're useful to me.
The world goes dark at the edges.
I'm dying.
This is how it ends.
Then I hear something impossible.
A wolf's howl.
Deep. Powerful. Furious.
My eyes flutter open.
Through the trees, I see a massive wolf charging toward us. Silver fur. Eyes burning with golden light.
No. Not possible.
I'm wolfless. I've always been wolfless.
But the wolf is real. And it's coming.
Mother's eyes widen. What
The wolf explodes into the clearing.
And I realize the truth that makes my heart stop.
The wolf is me.
Part of me. My magic. My power taking physical form to save itself.
The silver wolf leaps at Mother with fangs bared and murder in its golden eyes.