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What Crowns Cost

Author: Magdeleina Thomson
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-12-16 04:10:34

Samantha POV

The Council didn’t give Lucien time to breathe.

The moment the decision was spoken—you will reclaim your place—the air in the chamber shifted from judgment to execution.

Maerwyn turned first, her movements graceful, inevitable.

“Bring them forward.”

The three men stepped closer.

Human. Alive. Terrified.

I felt my stomach drop.

Lucien didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

Didn’t look at them.

I stepped forward before I could stop myself.

“You’re really doing this now?” I asked sharply. “Right here? In front of everyone?”

Maerwyn’s gaze flicked to me.

“Transparency prevents rebellion.”

That was not the reassurance she thought it was.

Lucien finally turned to me. His expression was tight—controlled in that way that meant he was holding back something enormous.

“I warned you,” he said quietly. “There would be no gentle version.”

I swallowed.

“You don’t have to do it like this.”

“Yes,” Ithrael said calmly. “He does.”

The three men stood in a line now, hands clenched,
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