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The air in the chapel thickened, pressing down on me like invisible chains. Celeste's words echoed in my skull—weapon, not bride.
I wanted to laugh. Or scream. Or both.
But all that came out was a cold whisper.
"Explain. Now."
Celeste moved closer, heels clicking on the scorched floor.
"You were chosen because of what you carry, Nyra. The bloodline. The curse. The strength even you don't fully understand."
Kai flinched, his gaze dark.
"Celeste, don't—"
"Don't?" I snapped, stepping toward him. "You've already lied enough. If there's more, I want it all."
Celeste's lips quirked into something almost cruel. "He didn't tell you, did he? Ravian wasn't the one who marked you first."
My breath caught.
"…What?"
She tilted her head toward Kai.
"It was him. He sealed your fate long before Ravian ever touched you."
The room spun. I staggered back, my chest burning with betrayal. My eyes locked on Kai. He didn't deny it.
"Tell me it's not true," I demanded, my voice breaking.
Kai's silence was the sharpest answer of all.
The candles flickered as if the walls themselves recoiled. I clutched the charred veil in my fist, the fabric tearing under my grip.
"You ruined me," I hissed. "You both ruined me."
Kai stepped forward, his eyes wild. "Nyra, listen to me—"
"Stay away!" My voice cracked like thunder. "You and Ravian, you and all your secrets—I will burn every one of you down before I let you control me again."
Celeste's smile softened, almost pitying. "Then perhaps you're finally ready."
Before I could ask what she meant, the chapel doors slammed open.
Ravian strode in, flanked by two masked men. His presence was a storm—arrogant, lethal, unshaken.
"Ready for what?" he drawled, his eyes locking onto me. "For round two of our little game?"
The three of them stood before me—Kai, Celeste, Ravian. My past. My present. My tormentors.
And I realized then—
This was no longer about survival.
This was war.
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⚡ End of Chapter 49 ⚡