Chapter 3

Without the Chalice of Calm and after losing two of my soul fragments, my senses began to deteriorate in earnest.

By the fourth day, I had started to suffer severe bouts of hearing loss. Sounds became distorted and indistinct, sometimes seeming impossibly close and sometimes unbearably far away.

I could do nothing but stay on the floor. I had no idea where I was, nor could I feel my way around the room. No one had replaced my walking stick.

Someone opened the door to my quarters. I could no longer identify people by their footsteps. All I could do was guess from their scent.

I caught the familiar smell of Emile's ambergris and Giselle's powdery perfume.

"I made some herbal soup for you, Undine," Emile called from somewhere across the room. I had to concentrate just to catch every word.

He crouched beside me and slipped one hand behind my head while balancing a bowl in the other.

"Why are you on the floor, Undine? It's cold and dusty down here!" he said, his voice tight with genuine pity and concern.

I could always tell when he was sincere and when he was merely going through the motions. We had been together for six years, after all. Unfortunately, his sincerity would not save me from what was coming.

"Your Highness, what's the bracelet she's wearing? It looks so beautiful!" Giselle asked in her meek, vulnerable voice from nearby.

I immediately clamped my hand around my left wrist. I knew exactly what she meant.

The Quintessence Bracelet was a priceless mythical artifact passed down from every High Priestess before me. It had been forged from the cremated ashes of the 98 High Priestesses who came before me, and it was bound directly to my soul. It was the last thing keeping my soul from shattering completely.

"Your Highness, my injury starts hurting every night. The physician said it's because of the trauma. If I see even the slightest trace of blood on our wedding day, I may die," Giselle said coyly.

Her true meaning was impossible to miss.

Emile fell silent for a moment before reaching for my wrist.

"Undine," he began in a low, persuasive voice. "Please lend Giselle your bracelet for a few days to help her overcome her trauma. We can't risk any accidents before the wedding, understand? I promise I'll return it to you as soon as it's over."

I shrank away, tightening my grip around my wrist.

"No! If you take this from me…" My voice broke. "I'll die, Emile. I'll die."

He hesitated. I could sense his patience beginning to wear thin. His breathing grew heavier.

"Undine, you have to stop being stubborn. You used to tell me Soulforging would kill you, but look at you now. You're still alive and well," he said gently.

"I know you think this is unfair, but you should know better than to threaten me with your death. That's unbecoming of a future queen.

"Once the wedding is over, I'll personally lead an expedition to the frigid north and find the legendary Eternate. I'm sure it will protect and heal you even better than this bracelet can. So for now, just behave."

He gently began to slide the bracelet from my wrist, as though he feared hurting me.

It did not matter how gentle he was. He was killing me all the same.

"I promise you, all right? I'll bring you a piece of the legendary Eternate from the north after the wedding. So listen to me and let go of your bracelet."

The moment the bracelet slipped from my wrist, I felt something inside me break apart. It was as though every bone in my body cracked and splintered at once.

Agony erupted from my wrist and surged through every part of me. Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.

Emile must have noticed because I heard his breath catch. Yet all he did was wipe the blood from my lips with his silk handkerchief. Then he wrapped an arm around my waist, drew me against his chest, and lifted the bowl to my lips.

"Drink this. It will help you recover," he said. "I've planned this wedding for over six years, ever since I decided you would be my bride. I want to hold your hand and stand beside you while all the nobles and knights shower us with their cheers and blessings."

I gritted my teeth and refused to open my mouth.

He responded by gently massaging my lips with his thumb until my teeth parted enough for him to pour the soup into my mouth. "There. Be a good girl. I won't let anything happen to you."

After making sure I had finished every drop, Emile eased away with quiet satisfaction. "I need to introduce Giselle to a few more nobles. It's just a routine part of the wedding preparations. I'll be back soon. Rest easy."

His footsteps faded, followed by the dull thud of the door closing.

I lay motionless on the floor, my limbs limp and powerless. Warm liquid streamed from my ears.

I could no longer hear anything. The world had fallen into absolute silence.