. It was familiar now-like a cruel lullaby in a place where time itself seemed to rot. Her heart, once a vibrant m

red what little light the cell offered, casting her in an aura of menace and power. Elara me

her voice smooth as velvet, though it ba

asked, her voice thick with sarcasm. "You've come to offer a deal,

know you see me as a monster," she said softly, her tone stri

er hands clutched the iron bars. "You reduced my people to nothi

eamed, shaking the bars with a fury that echoed off the stone walls. "And you thin

tep back, the cell thick with tension, every brea

orin," she spat. "He did it. Your beloved king-h

n. "I am a queen and a mother," she said, her voice lowering. "And yes, my son lov

ra's eyes narrowed. "I will never

ped thinking of you. You will be a great queen, Elara. It was

l closing in. Elara straightened. "Princess Elara," she said

id, "I hope one day you'll forgive my family for our trespasses." She tur

silence-boots on stone. A guard entered a

and dread. But instead of execution or further torment, she was brought to a

, courtly way, with a unwavering p

," he said, his serious expression

uld've left me in that cell," she mu

father did to you

raw wounds. Elara's voice tremble

of his fingers, two maidens entered and bowed.

e same striking hazel eyes-echoed Queen Ashley

id nothing. Her thoughts tangled with emotion-an