— It's painful... to be alone after such a fall.
Morena raised her head abruptly.
A woman stood in front of her.
She had long, loosely tied ash-silver hair and calm, almost compassionate, dark green eyes. Her advisor dress was simple, unadorned.
- Who are you ? Morena asked suspiciously.
"Elvëra Noctyss," she replied softly.
— Member of the Council.
— I've never seen you.
— I rarely show up.
— I observe more than I speak.
Morena sneered bitterly.
— So you came to judge me too?
— Tell me to accept this marriage?
Elvëra slowly crouched down in front of her.
— I came to talk to you.
— Not condemn you.
"You're like them," Morena spat.
— You want me to say yes.
"I understand your pain," said Elvëra gently.
— But do you understand what is at stake?
—I don't care!
—Your family, Morena.
She froze.
—Your father...
— His seat on the Council is fragile.
— Do you know how many dream of bringing him down?
Morena shook her head, stunned.
—If you refuse...
—They will use it.
— Your name will become their weapon.
—But Asher—
— Asher won't.
— But the Council... yes.
Elvëra placed her hands on Morena's trembling shoulders.
— Do you think your dishonors don't affect them?
— They are waiting for a fault.
—And you are this flaw.
Morena murmured, broken:
—I don't want...
- I don't want to marry him...
— I know.
— But sometimes... to love is to sacrifice oneself.
—I love my father...
— My mother... my sisters...
—Then protect them.
A long silence.
Morena stood up slowly.
— I will do what I have to do.
She walked away without looking back.
Elvëra remained alone.
Then a slow smile appeared on his lips.
His body began to undulate.
His hair changed.
His eyes turned purple.
Miria stood there.
"So… was that your plan?"
Miria turned around, smiling when she saw Asher.
- Yes.
— She had to understand the risks.
— Since when can you transform?
—Since I realized you were right.
—I thought about it so much... it happened.
Asher thought, troubled:
Telepathy. Telekinesis. Elements. Metamorphosis…
— Asher?
— You are elsewhere.
— Nothing...
— Shall we go there?
Miria nodded.