"Daughter… Is this man your ally?"
The fragile voice belonged to none other than Jasmine's mother, Gina.
The woman stood at her daughter's side with her hand interlocked with Jasmine's. The poor woman looked as though she were afraid that letting go would make the girl vanish once more. Her face was ashen, worn thin by years of betrayal and chains, yet her posture carried a quiet dignity despite her broken and battered body, the result of Aurelion's extreme cruelty.
She had spoken those words dryly, as if the weight of life had wrung all passion from her throat. But more than that, she seemed to be taken aback, scared even.
Together, mother and daughter bore witness as Quinlan, the Primordial Subjugator, passed his judgment on the captured royal guard. His decree was absolute, sentencing her not merely to slavery but to eternal servitude.
Jasmine's blue eyes narrowed as she cast her gaze toward Quinlan.
