r echoes drifted through the Grand Hall like

beneath the gaze of Astra, we witness not merely the union

of eyes rested on Ariana and Lucien. T

one another. Her sapphire-blue eyes reflected the candlelight, and there was warmth in them - not the prac

e. "I believe we should int

softly. "I think we're a li

ngers who choose to trust each other t

riana's nervousness - a knot she hadn't fu

ld lik

g, the marriage no longer felt

murmurs of approval sprea

uit eac

doms chos

eace truly

ar. King Alaric reached for her hand

n crying al

a mot

crying sinc

through the

from beside them

ing," Helena murmured, an

-

ony, his voice carrying the weight

u swear to protect Princess Ariana Elara Val

without hesitati

a Elara Vale. Do yo

ession was calm, honest, steady i

miled

, so sharp it stole the rest of the wo

t the edges. The Moon Pendant resting against her chest went icy cold, colder than it had

gainst it. *Strange. It

iest's voice sounded far awa

he change immedi

ther smile, steadier th

- the traditional pause between vows, where bride and groom shared a sip of wine before the union was sealed i

sleeve, closed around a small crystal vial - already empty, its work finished the night before, when the ceremonial wine had fir

no turning

-

wardly composed, the goblet held level and steady in gloved h

s. His brow furrowed. Something is wrong about the attendant's gai

armored escorts three deep, and by the time he'd pushed h

aze and stepped back into the

y troubled by the paleness he'd seen in her a moment before. She lifted the cup.

. Then

he goblet to the

from the attendant's hands and struck the marble floor with a sha

her chest, sudden and total, stealing the ai

tilted v

stained the white fabr

oo

as drained of c

he could strike the floor, Lucien caught her, one arm sweepin

ghout the hall. Que

IAN

ing, oblivious, as if the kingdom itself hadn't yet realized it

round her blurred into color and candlelight. The voices became

ance she thought she

t move is

ward her from ever

she had known for less than a day and somehow already trusted - desp