Aurora's POV
The Third Crescent stirred at the edge of my awareness not awake, not whole, but watching.
If I took control now, it would answer.
I met Catherine's gaze across the fractured stone.
She saw the choice.
And for the first time since she entered the chamber, something like fear flickered across her face.
"Don't," she said.
She didn't say it as a command.
But it was more like a plea.
My hands trembled.
If I dominated her now, I would prove every fear whispered about me true.
That my love was conditional.
That my mercy ended where obedience began.
That I would rather rule her than risk losing her.
I stepped back.
The power recoiled violently, lashing inward, tearing a gasp from my chest as pain bloomed behind my ribs.
The chamber screamed.
Not sound pressure as the convergence destabilized completely.
The dais split.
