บททั้งหมดของ Incubus Reborn: Sleepless promise: บทที่ 101 - บทที่ 110

The apothecary smelled of herbs steeped too long, bitter roots boiled down to pungent pastes. The air was thick with steam rising from the kettle in the corner, and Saraphina moved through it like a shadow restless for escape. She checked Lucian’s bandages again, even though she had already changed them twice. The strip of linen stained dark against his ribs, but the bleeding had slowed.Lucian watched her in silence for a long while before speaking. “You pace, then you fuss, then you glare at me as though my wound is personal insult. You should rest, Saraphina.”She shot him a look, lips pressing tight. “If I rest, you’ll bleed out. If I leave you, you’ll die. If I trust you not to move, you’ll try to sit up the moment I turn away.”“And yet,” he murmured, his voice edged with warmth despite the weakness, “you still love me enough to threaten me with that glare.”Her jaw clenched, and she turned back to the kettle. She stirred the mixture until the steam stung her eyes, as though smo

The air inside Astra’s great hall was suffocating. Torches spat smoke into the vaulted ceiling, and thousands of eyes bore down on Saraphina. The council sat high above, robes shimmering with authority, but beneath them the restless crowd murmured like a tide against stone.Saraphina stood chained at the center, though the chains were more for show than strength. She could feel them tremble under her touch, the faint hum of her own power pushing back against the iron. Lucian stood a few steps away, jaw clenched, eyes darting between her and the council as though willing himself not to leap forward.The Chancellor rose. His voice boomed through the chamber. “The accused stands before Astra, charged with defying the council, consorting with forbidden forces, and bringing peril upon our city. Does she deny these charges?”Saraphina’s lips curved faintly. “I deny only your right to judge me.”Gasps rippled through the hall. A guard smacked his spear against the stone to hush the crowd, bu

The council chamber was empty but for one. The tall windows cast long lines of moonlight across polished stone, catching in the folds of velvet drapery and the gleam of golden inlays. At the center of the room, Chancellor Malrec stood alone, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the city sprawling beneath him. The glow of torches and the echo of chants drifted faintly even here, carried up from the square like the breath of a beast awakening.He had not left with the others. Cowards, every one of them, scattering like pigeons when the crowd surged. He had remained, silent, unflinching, watching as Saraphina turned the moment meant to break her into one that shook the council to its marrow.His lips curved into the faintest smile. “So. The little flame grows.”The heavy door creaked open. A pair of guards entered, flanking a figure cloaked in dark leather, face shadowed by a hood. They bowed stiffly before retreating, leaving the visitor to stand at the edge of the chamber.“You

The square was a storm waiting to break. Stalls stood half-abandoned, merchants leaning against their carts not to sell but to stare. Children clutched at their mothers’ skirts, craning their necks for a glimpse. Men whispered behind their hands, suspicion sharpening their eyes.Saraphina felt every gaze as though it pressed against her skin. The flower still lay tucked against her cloak, its petals bruised but bright. She held onto it as if it were anchor and sword both.Lucian walked at her side, his hand hovering near the hilt of his blade, though his eyes never left the crowd. “They are waiting,” he murmured.“For what?” she asked under her breath.“For you to stumble. Or for you to burn.”A stone clattered across the cobbles near her feet. It hadn’t struck her, but the intent was clear. Murmurs rose like smoke.“Witch.”“Demon.”“Hope.”The words battled each other, tangled and clashing. Saraphina drew a slow breath, feeling the fire inside her chest stir, restless. She had promi

The dawn over Duskmoor should have been quiet, but the air already carried a restless hum. Smoke drifted faintly in the distance, curling above the rooftops like a warning.Saraphina pushed open the shutters of the safehouse. The gray morning light spilled over her face, but her chest grew tight at the sight of the rising haze.“Lucian,” she whispered.He was already there at her shoulder. “East ward,” he said, voice flat.Behind them, Kaelen cursed under his breath. “So this is it. The demonstration.”Mirielle stood from the map table, her expression grim but sharp. “He’s framing you, Phina. He’ll blame the smoke on you before the flames have even touched stone.”Saraphina turned, fire stirring in her veins. “Then we go there. If he wants to write the story in blood, we’ll tear the quill from his hand.”Kaelen grabbed her arm. “Think for once. Walking into that blaze is exactly what he wants.”“And doing nothing?” she snapped. “That’s what he counts on.”Lucian’s hand brushed hers, s