Chapter 2

Grandmother’s flames swallowed my vision.

I don’t know how long the magic burned me. I just know I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, everything was silent.

I was lying on the stone steps outside the temple.

A piercing pain shot through my scalp.

Two carrion birds were pecking at the raw flesh of my forehead.

I swatted them away with my good left arm.

I dragged my broken body up and escaped to the manor through a hidden back alley.

I couldn’t let the followers see me.

Seven years ago, when my third fiancé tried to kill me, I reported it to the city’s inquisitor.

But when he arrived, the entire city testified for my father. They said I was lying.

“They have three children. The other two are so pious and kind. Why would he only abuse her?”

“Inquisitor, that child has been a liar since she was young. She even steals holy relics. You can’t trust a word she says.”

I knew they were only siding with him because he was the High Priest.

But there was nothing I could do.

After that, Kael threw me into the flooded oubliette.

For a week, black water lapped at my chin. My soul nearly withered away.

I pushed open my bedroom door. The floor was covered in shattered crystals.

My adopted sister, Lila, stood in the center of a magic circle, holding a wand.

She was standing in the scrying circle to the capital.

My last resort.

“Sister, Father said you need quiet,” she smiled, looking like an angel.

Something inside me snapped.

I dragged my broken ribs toward Kael’s chambers.

I threw the door open.

“What do you want from me!” I stared at the man sitting in the shadows.

“If you don’t want me to get married, just say so! Why turn my fiancés against me? Why make them want to kill me?”

“What did I ever do to you? I’ve done everything you’ve ever asked. Isn’t that enough? What more do you want!”

Kael set down the holy scripture he was reading.

No words. Just a solid silver candlestick hitting my shoulder.

A dark green light flashed. Three thorny vines shot up from the floor and wrapped around my neck.

The thorns dug into my skin.

“I want you to go to hell,” Kael said, his voice cold as ice.

I couldn't breathe.

With my last ounce of strength, I bit my tongue.

I spat blood onto the teleportation parchment in my sleeve.

Space ripped open.

A golden portal blazed to life in the middle of the room.

Two royal investigators in silver armor stepped out.

Right behind them was my best friend, the court mage, Celia.

“Secure the scene!” the lead investigator shouted. He drew his sword and pressed it to Kael’s throat.

The vines loosened their grip.

I collapsed to the floor, gasping for air.

Celia rushed over and hugged me.

When she saw my mangled fingers and ruined forehead, a dangerous red light flared at the tip of her wand.

“Kael, you monster hiding in a priest’s robes!” Celia aimed her wand at his eyes. “She’s your own daughter!”

The sword blade cut Kael’s neck.

He didn’t even flinch.

“You’ve come a long way. You should see the evidence first.” Kael looked up at the investigator. “Go to the Temple of Hera. After you see what’s in the sanctuary, you can decide if you still want to kill me.”

He turned to Celia. “Hera does not suffer the presence of mortal women. The lady mage should wait outside.”

The investigator sheathed his sword and nodded.

Panic washed over me.

I ignored my broken ribs and crawled, grabbing the investigator's leg.

My forehead hit the floor.

Once. Twice.

“Don’t go… Please, don’t go in.” Blood and tears blurred my vision. “He’ll show you a false vision… It’s not real…”

The investigator pulled his leg free. “The Royal Law only recognizes the truth. If he’s lying, I’ll flay him alive myself.”

The door closed.

He and Kael disappeared toward the temple.

Ten long minutes.

Celia forced a pure healing elixir down my throat, whispering, “Don’t be afraid. The capital doesn't fall for these backwater tricks. You're almost free.”

Heavy footsteps came from the temple’s direction.

The investigator was walking fast. His face was grim, his chest heaving.

He stopped in front of me.

No questions. No verdict.

Just a slap that cracked through the air.

Left cheek. Right cheek.

My teeth tore through the inside of my mouth.

The investigator’s hand was on the hilt of his sword.

The veins on his hand bulged. He was fighting the urge to draw it.

“If not for the Royal Law, I would cut you down where you stand,” he hissed, his words like ice.

Celia raised her wand, shielding me. “Are you insane? Kael is the one who hurt her!”

The investigator grabbed Celia’s wrist and dragged her to a corner.

He bent down and spoke quickly in her ear.

I watched Celia.

The girl who shared her bread with me, who swore to protect me for life.

Celia listened. Her wand drooped.

She turned her head and looked at me.

The last bit of warmth in her eyes died.

She raised her hand.

A green flash. Two thick magical vines erupted from the floor and coiled around my right thigh.

The vines twisted in opposite directions.

CRACK.

The sound of bone snapping was sickeningly clear in the silent room.

A scream ripped from my throat.

Celia didn't stop.

She took two steps closer, looking down at me.

“Stop screaming. It’s disgusting.” She threatened me through my agonized cries, her eyes looking at me like I was something crawling out of the abyss. “You make another sound, and I’ll snap your other leg too.”