"You need not worry about Lady Aurelia's fate, Lord Flameborne."
The words struck the chamber like a sudden clap of thunder. Conversations halted, breath stilled. Dozens of eyes turned toward the one who had spoken.
Vaelric Stormborne had risen from his seat. Though young, his posture bore the same gravity as his father's, his shoulders squared as if he carried the weight of kingdoms. His blue-gray eyes, sharp as tempered steel, burned with resolve.
He stepped forward, his voice steady but edged with fire.
"Her life will not be mocked. Her name will not be cast aside. From this day forth, the future of Lady Aurelia Flameborne shall be safeguarded under my father....Valerian Stormborne, Lord of Virelia and Warden of Valkoron."
A ripple of shock spread through the hall like storm waves battering stone. Delegates twisted in their seats to watch Valerian, whose expression remained unreadable, cold as a carved glacier. But the silence that followed was thick with unspoken thunder.
Vaelric's voice climbed, every word like the ringing of a sword drawn in defiance.
"She is not ruined. She is not unworthy. If her sister is given to Frostmere, then let the lady Aurelia be given to Virelia.
Let her stand beneath our banner, where no man shall dare call her broken."
Gasps tore through the hall. Whispers surged like wildfire. Some nobles leaned in to each other with wide eyes, while others sat rigid, as if afraid to move.
Azarion Flameborne's lips curled, fury crackling in his gaze. "You presume much, boy," he growled, but his words were drowned in the murmur of astonishment.
Aurelia, for the first time since the trial began, lifted her tear-streaked face. Her heart hammered painfully against her ribs, as if each beat wanted to break free.
Could it be? Did someone....this boy, this son of the Storm Lord....truly see her as more than a curse?
Lord Sylas leaned forward with a sharp smirk, his tone mocking yet edged with curiosity.
"Lord Stormborne," he drawled, "what is it that your son speaks of?"
The chamber fell utterly silent again. All eyes turned to Valerian. The Storm Lord's gaze lingered on his son, and for a heartbeat, father and heir locked eyes.
Vaelric lifted a single brow...an unspoken reminder. Remember your oath.
Valerian exhaled slowly, rising with the weight of inevitability. His voice, deep and resonant, carried easily across the chamber.
"Lord Azarion," he began, "since Lord Neris has pledged to wed your younger daughter, and yet you persist in doubt because of your fears for Lady Aurelia… then let me end your worries.
I ask for her hand..." his voice did not falter "...to be my wife."
The hall erupted. Nobles gasped, hands clutched mouths, whispers burst into clamor.
The name of Valerian Stormborne had always commanded awe...an enigmatic lord of tempest and shadow.
Yet here he was, asking for the hand of the cursed and scorned daughter, the one her own betrothed had discarded.
Aurelia froze. Surely she had misheard. Her gaze darted to Gwen, who sat with lips parted in shock.
Even Calista, her cruel sister who had taken delight in Aurelia's downfall, was struck speechless.
Azarion's voice cut through the storm of murmurs, sharp with suspicion.
"Why? Why would you want to marry her, Lord Stormborne? What purpose could this serve?"
Valerian's eyes flickered with the faintest glint of amusement.
"Why should I not marry her, Lord Flameborne? Are you her father truly saying that because one man finds her undesirable, she is forever unworthy of a husband?"
Azarion stiffened, jaw clenching. "I did not say that. I only...."
"Then you should welcome my offer, not question it," Valerian interrupted smoothly. His tone was calm, yet it cut sharper than any blade.
Azarion's fists clenched. "You know well what I mean, Valerian. She carries Ishara's curse. Her beauty is gone. Her fire extinguished.
Even Lord Neris, who once swore himself to her, recoiled. Tell me, Storm Lord...why would you bind yourself to such a fate?"
A murmur of agreement rippled through some of the gathered lords. All eyes turned back to Valerian, waiting.
The Storm Lord's lips curved into a dangerous smile. He leaned forward, his hands resting on the carved arms of his seat, every inch the tempestuous ruler he was.
"Why would I not?" he countered. "If she is cursed, then I will seek ways to break it.
Azarion's fury blazed hotter. "Do you think I have not tried? Do you think I have not sought every priest, every seer, every remedy to undo Ishara's chains?"
And if the curse proves unyielding…" Valerian's gaze hardened, lightning flashing in his expression. "Then at least I will not treat her as you did."
Gasps broke again. Azarion's nostrils flared, but he bit back his words, understanding too well the pointed strike....Valerian was condemning him, the father who had locked his own daughter away in shame.
A soft voice rose from the dais, calm and commanding. The High Oracle had stood, her silken robes shimmering with candlelight.
"I believe it is time the lady herself speaks. Lady Aurelia," she said, her eyes kind as she turned to her, "do you accept Lord Stormborne's proposal?"
The weight of the hall shifted. Every gaze pierced Aurelia like a thousand spears.
Her heart trembled. Her hands trembled, her breath caught in her throat. Her life since the curse had been a cage of shame, silence, and shadow.
After this trial she knew, that death had seemed her only escape. Death had been her only expectation...death, or a life in chains of shame within her father's walls.
Yet here was a door, flung wide before her. A chance, unlooked for, impossible, terrifying. Could she step through it?
Her gaze fell on Neris. His eyes widened, incredulous, as though he had never imagined she would be offered something he himself had cast aside.
Strength welled in her chest, fragile but unyielding. She lifted her chin, though her voice quavered when she spoke.
"Yes," she said. Then stronger, firmer, "Yes, I accept."
The chamber erupted again, some voices raised in shock, others in outrage, others still in awe.
Before the tumult could fade, Vaelric's young voice rang clear.
"Then let us prove our sincerity. Father...." he turned to Valerian, his eyes alight with conviction, "the marriage should happen now."
"Now?" Lord Sylas barked, incredulous. "Why the rush?"
"Why delay what is already decided?" Vaelric pressed. His words tumbled forth with urgency, yet his tone was steady.
"We stand in a sacred hall, beneath the eyes of the High Calestarch and the High Oracle. The bride and groom are here. The witnesses are here.
The gods themselves bear witness. Why waste time on pomp and delay, when the vows can be spoken now?"
Even Valerian arched a brow, surprised by his son's boldness. But before he could speak, the High Oracle lifted her hand, smiling radiantly.
"The young lord is wise," she declared. "If both bride and groom consent, why postpone? Let the vows be spoken, let the bond be sealed. I shall personally bless their union."
"Lord Stormborne. Lady Aurelia. Come forth to the altar."
A hush fell over the hall. The storm had broken, yet something new was forming in its wake.
Calista hissed from her seat, desperate to claw back control. "Will they even exchange rings? This is madness....so sudden...."
Vaelric turned to her, his lips curving with a boy's disarming smile.
"You need not worry, Lady Calista. I have them with me." He drew a small case from within his cloak, holding it up for all to see.
"Did you think I would come unprepared?"
The hall roared again...shock, disbelief, awe. And Aurelia's breath caught in her chest as she realized: this was no chance storm. This was destiny itself, and she had just stepped into its heart.