"He was planning to hand her over to Zorynthar as his new Champion, Astrid. If my son hadn't been there to react swiftly, your daughter—his woman—would be nothing more than another broken puppet dancing on divine strings right now. And at least I told you so much back then to know what happened next the moment she becomes a Champion!"
Astrid's face twisted, and the lounge trembled with a low, dangerous hum. The very air felt heavier as her aura surged, rippling with raw power. Glasses rattled on the shelves.
"How dare he..." she whispered, but her voice was venomous, trembling with barely contained rage.
Emberly leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "Now now... Calm yourself. Seraphina is safe. But if she hadn't severed her bloodline from Drakos, if she hadn't stood her ground, she'd be lost. We cannot allow someone tied to us to be turned into a slave for the so-called divine. Not her. Not anyone."
