he long ceiling lights were shining marble floors with tall

eir empty eyes were looking alive, following anyone who walk

towards the door. She adjusted the light sh

x days, Valer

alm, but there

y table. Even with Father's quarantine rul

ixing his cufflinks as he walked; his

ra," he said flatly. "Why wou

ed. "She's

. "Every time she enters a room, the atmosphere changes. The lights go out,

"The entire place feels

"That doesn't mean she deserves to

still a

ed toward her with cold looks in his

stake of nat

only to drain energy from people who actually mat

ghtened around the

continued. "Or Father will find

ghtly. "Something you

alked away toward the Great Hall. Elara sto

future king. He was confident, sharp,

*

They had discussed politics, trade, border control, a

akor. Father and son walked side by side through the palace,

, down a long staircase. Then another with t

the end of a narrow hallway; above it

door unlocked with a heavy click. Inside was not

arved symbols and special runes designed to suppress magic. The air

ller than usual. Her dark hair was tied back loosely, and her sk

ng Malakor stepped into the room first;

cting broken equipment. "The kingdom con

the metal walls. "A

silent. Malakor tilt

e life out of ever

her lap. "I didn't ask to be

y, crossing his arms. "You're here

s bored, al

g generous by keeping yo

lers would have throw

looked down

Malakor ad

ight in front of her. The princess could feel the cold around

people say abou

smiled faintly. "They say the world be

ooked tired, like she had spent years

w the truth," M

know you are

parasite," s

k slightly. "I

dened. "That," he said s

o Valerius.

s you wish, Father. Just be gentle wi

y. The heavy door closed behin

ough the room, and t

was the ritual. The same thi

ved the heavy cloak

er you've gathered this

es; the runes on the w

back against the wall; he

pull the energy out of her. To force