Ashes of the Crown
Chapter 2 – The Blade Behind the Veil (Seris's POV)
The murmurs thickened, rising into startled confusion. Nobles shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their jeweled hands clutching pearls and pride. The high priest, old and trembling, glanced to the king for guidance but received only a hard stare.
Alric recovered first. His voice remained smooth, but Seris heard the crack beneath it.
"This isn't the time, Seris. Speak your mind after the vows."
"No," she said. "You don't get to silence me anymore. None of you do."
The court froze.
Her father's voice boomed from behind. "Enough, daughter. You will stand down. You will take your place."
She turned slowly, letting the veil fall from her shoulders like a snake's second skin.
"My place?" she echoed. "Where is that, Father? At his feet? Beneath your boots? In the grave beside my mother?"
Gasps turned to stunned silence.
The king stood, face red, veins pulsing at his temples. "Guards—"
But they never moved.
Because that was the moment Kael stepped into the light.
He moved like a blade unsheathed. Silent. Sure. Radiating lethal calm. His black and silver cloak parted just enough to reveal the hilt of a sword—not regulation steel, but the obsidian-forged blade of the Shadowguard. A weapon not meant for public display… and never within the sacred chapel.
Whispers erupted. Some recognized him. Most only felt the danger.
Kael's eyes never left Seris. He didn't speak. He didn't need to.
She raised her chin and turned back to the altar. "There will be no wedding today."
Alric stepped toward her, voice low with rage. "You think you can humiliate me here?"
"Yes," she said simply.
"You're making a mistake."
"No," she whispered, just for him. "I'm ending one."
And then she did something no royal woman had done in centuries.
She turned her back to the crown.
Kael was already moving. Two guards tried to block him—he disarmed them without breaking stride, never drawing blood. He didn't need to. His presence was enough.
Seris walked toward him, her gown trailing embers in her wake. No one stopped her. No one dared.
When she reached Kael, she paused only a breath.
They didn't touch. Not yet. But the space between them crackled with everything unspoken. History. Hunger. Hope.
"You're late," she said.
"You're on fire," he replied, voice low, rough.
She smiled—just barely. "Then let it burn."
Together, they stepped through the chapel doors as the crown behind them began to crumble.
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🌹 End of Chapter 2