The fire swallowed her.
Heat smashed into Selena's skin the moment her foot touched the glowing coals. It should've been unbearable. Her instincts screamed jump back, run, scream. Her lungs locked. Her hands trembled so hard she thought the dagger might slip free.
But then
Nothing.
Yes, the fire roared, spitting sparks that licked at her dress. The air shimmered around her body. Sweat dripped from her hairline, soaking into her collar. Yet… the pain never came. Not the skin-melting agony she'd braced for. Not the searing death everyone expected.
The coals hissed beneath her bare feet, but the sting was faint, like stepping into a warm bath.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
Her chest rose, then fell with a shuddering breath.
Gasps rippled from the crowd. One noble dropped his goblet; the wine splashed red across his shoes. A servant covered her mouth with both hands.
"She's… she's not burning…" someone whispered.
