All Chapters of THE BEAST’S CURSED SLAVE: Chapter 21 - Chapter 28

"Kaerith.” Kaerith’s name tore out of Gorvane’s lips.Her head jerked up, as her eyes snapped at his and for a heartbeat she didn’t know where she was. The flames in the sconces blurred, the carved beams overhead swayed, and when her sight cleared she realized the table in front of her was bare. There were no goblets, no choice, no poison waiting. Just polished wood with plates of steak and the weight of Gorvane’s gaze pressing into her.She placed a hand on her chest, pressing down hard, then back to her lap. Her lips parted as her heartbeat pounded against her palm like a war drum. Her skin was damp with sweat.Her throat tightened. She had been so certain, so very certain that three goblets had been placed there before her. She could still feel the pressure in her chest, the pull in her hand as if she had already chosen. Her fingers lifted to her neck. She half-expected to feel blood, shards of glass, the burn of poison. But all she found were the bruises Gorvane had left earlie

“...it was the first time anyone gave me anything just because.”Kaerith’s chest ached, from the weight of the memory.“You mattered to me then,” Mia continued, “and you matter now. Don’t let him take that from me. Don’t let him take you.”Kaerith swallowed against the pain in her throat. “You’ll regret this, Mia. He’ll punish you.”“Then let him,” Mia spat, her voice hot with defiance. “He’s already punished us all. But he won’t take you from me.”The corridor wound downward, the air thickening with the scent of herbs. Velcira’s chamber was near.Kaerith’s voice was weak, trembling. “What if… what if I don’t make it?”“You will,” Mia said firmly. “You have to. Because I’m not strong enough to carry the memory of losing you, you're all I have here.”Kaerith’s breath hitched. She pressed her face into Mia’s shoulder, tears wetting the fabric. For the first time in too long, she felt the weight of someone else’s care.The chamber door came into view, light spilling beneath it. Mia kicke

The generals sat frozen in their seats. For a long moment, no one spoke.Thornek’s jaw worked. His knuckles whitened where his hand rested on the table, and then he exhaled hard, dragging a hand across his face.“Never have I seen him like this,” he muttered. “Never. Never has he locked Vythea away. Not in war. Not in famine. Not when she opposed him. He has always spared her that cage. Something is breaking him.”Thornek leaned back, the wooden chair creaking under his weight. “She has been queen longer than we have been his generals. Now she sits behind stone, shackled beside the seer. If he can send her to the flayers vault, then there is no line he will not cross.”Rhazien sneered, the scar on his cheek catching the flame. “Do not speak of lines when you know nothing of his burdens. Malakh touched what was not his to touch. He dared to take pleasure without the king’s leave. For that, he deserves worse than the Vault.”Thornek’s teeth ground audibly. He leaned forward, stabbing a

Velcira lifted her chin. “I would risk myself because there is still life clinging to her, and I will not waste it.”She was fully aware that it was the least she could do to help.Narkhul turned fully to face her. His dark eyes studied her face. Then he spoke. “You will not survive their kingdom alone. I will go with you.”Velcira blinked, caught off guard. “No. I will not drag you into this. I will go on the journey, all by myself.”“You cannot,” Narkhul said flatly. “Their lands swallow travelers whole. You will not return if you go alone. If this antidote is the only way, then I go…with you. There is no debate.”Velcira’s lips pressed thin, as if she wanted to argue again, but the certainty in his eyes made her keep quiet.Velcira’s mouth tightened. “If we both go, who will hold the kingdom steady? Who will command in your absence?”“I will,” Thornek answered. “I will see the borders are kept, and the halls are in order, until you return.”Rhazien spat. “Return? You speak as though