Dianna's account
I've done nothing but avoid trouble since arriving in this kingdom, yet it still found me. The day was bright, birds chirping peacefully, and the sweet sound of my youngest clamoring for attention filled the air. It was the tenth time today he had called out to me since I showed my face to them.
"Mommy, why won't you drop us off at school? It's been two weeks since you did, and now the other kids think you're no better than theirs," he pouted, his voice tinged with disappointment.
I pinched his adorable chubby cheeks, fighting back tears. How do I tell him that I might leave today and never return? They didn't deserve this—losing their mother twice in one lifetime.
They were always my reason for surviving, but how would they survive without me? Worse yet, I couldn't say goodbye. I didn't want to devastate them.
"Maybe some other time, my sweet prince. Mommy has something important to do today."
"Promise?" Riven held up his pinky finger, his wide eyes searching mine.
I chuckled softly, crossing my pinky with his. As we shared this moment, I noticed Zarek watching me intently, his gaze like that of a detective scrutinizing a criminal.
Forcing a laugh, I tugged gently at his cheeks. "What's going on in that little head of yours, my rockstar?"
He took a deep breath, his lips pressing into a thin line as he struggled to speak. It was a telltale sign—he only did that when he was scared to say something.
I softened my tone, brushing a hand through his hair. "You can tell me anything, you know that, right?"
He nodded slowly, hesitating before finally speaking. "My classmates say you're a witch… they say you're bad, but I don't believe them. And even if you are, I still love you, and I'm proud to be half-witch!"
His excitement bubbled over. "Once I learn how to do cool spells, I'll make Riven fly like he always wanted!"
His innocence… I wished the werewolves wouldn't corrupt my son when I'm gone. He has such a pure soul, but that might be a disadvantage in this world.
"Promise me you won't go around telling people you're half-witch. Keep it a secret for now, okay?"
He nodded and hugged me tightly before he and Zarek were sent off to school. I watched them disappear, my heart heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. Soon after, I found myself in a car with Christopher, heading to the palace.
I leaned against the window, staring absentmindedly at the passing streets. I wished this car would just take a different route—one that didn't lead to the palace. I wanted to live.
But as usual, my wishes never came true. We arrived at the palace, and Christopher led me down a path I'd never been before. The eerie, gut-wrenching descent down the stairs, the heavily armed guards watching me as if they'd attack at the slightest move—it all felt like a nightmare.
Christopher's grip on me tightened, his movements tense. For the first time, I sensed fear in him. I guess he didn't want to lose his favorite toy. It made me smile bitterly. If he was this scared, it could only mean he had no control over the council's decision.
As I stood before them, head bowed, the cold, dimly lit chamber seemed to suffocate me. The stone walls pressed down like a physical weight, and flickering torches cast eerie shadows, making the space feel like a medieval dungeon.
At the far end of the room, a raised dais supported a long, ornate table where the Council of Seven sat. Their stern faces appeared chiseled from the same stone as the walls. Robed in black with silver trim, they exude an aura of superiority, their piercing eyes scrutinizing me like a specimen under a microscope. Unsurprisingly, the queen mother and the old king were among them, but the crown prince was absent.
The air was heavy with tension as I awaited their judgment. Silently, I prayed to survive this, though my chances suddenly felt bleak. To my surprise, Christopher joined the council, taking the seat I'd hoped was reserved for the crown prince.
The oldest member of the council, the pack sentinel and shaman, Elder Orion, cleared his throat. The white-bearded man looked more terrifying now, his usual warmth replaced by cold authority. "With the powers vested in me by the crown and the goddess Sirena, I, Elder Orion, declare this trial now in session. Lady Danbury, please present the charges."
Lady Danbury, the queen mother's right hand, stepped forward. "You stand accused of practicing witchcraft, specifically the use of black magic to target the citizens and crown of Swan Galacia. How do you plead?"
"I plead not guilty and demand a fair trial," I replied, trying to hide the tremor in my voice.
"Hear that? The witch has the audacity to make demands of us," the queen mother spat, her tone laced with bitterness.
"No, I—" I began, but a sharp voice cut me off.
"Silence, witch!" one of the council members snapped.
My head hung low as the proceedings continued. I bit my lip until I tasted blood, my hands trembling uncontrollably. The allegations were grave, and I knew nothing of the witnesses or evidence they claimed to have.
The council seemed convinced until Christopher spoke up. "I bought this woman before she even knew she was a witch. She's never cast a spell and doesn't even know how. The spells she's accused of casting are far too powerful for a novice."
"So you're suggesting there's another witch in the kingdom?" an elder asked.
Christopher nodded firmly. "And to prove my wife's innocence, she is willing to undergo the trial by dragon flame."
My eyes widened in horror. I wanted to speak, to protest, but my lips were sealed by some unseen force. Even my body was frozen, leaving me helpless as tears streamed down my face. The trial by dragon flame was a fate worse than death.
It meant that my womb would be removed by a dragon's flame, as a witch's womb is believed to be her connection to the Mother of the Earth—the source of her power.