ELARA'S POV
You? I stared at General Kaedan Drakmir. I'm not a gift. I'm not a thing you can own!
Tell that to the Emperor. His silver eyes never left mine. He seems to disagree.
He nodded to his soldiers. They dragged me backward through the destroyed hall. I fought every step, but their grip was iron-strong.
Where are you taking me? Let go! I need to see my father! FATHER!
But I'd already seen. The image of the sword falling, of Father's eyes going empty, was burned into my mind forever.
They hauled me into the throne room, the heart of Ashencourt's palace. My father stood surrounded by enemy commanders, his robes torn and bloody. Only three of his guards remained alive, on their knees with swords at their throats.
Father! I tried to stand, but a soldier's boot pressed between my shoulder blades, forcing me flat against cold stone.
Elara, no. My father's voice was steady despite everything. Don't beg them for anything.
But they're going to kill you!
I know, little star. He smiled sadly. But I won't die hearing my daughter beg.
General Kaedan walked past me. I felt the air shift as he moved—felt his presence like heat from a fire. He stopped in front of my father, and I noticed how he stood—perfect posture, hands relaxed at his sides. A man completely in control.
Why did I notice that? Why did any part of my brain register anything about him except murderer?
King Elian of Ashencourt, Kaedan said formally. Your kingdom is defeated. Your army is dead or surrendered. Do you have any last words?
My father looked past the General, directly at me. Tell my daughter I love her. Tell her that kindness isn't weakness, even when the world is cruel
Enough. A new voice cut through the room.
A man in golden robes entered, young, handsome, with a crown and cruelty in his smile. Soldiers bowed immediately. Even Kaedan bowed, though something in his posture seemed... reluctant.
Your Imperial Majesty, Kaedan said, and I heard it, the thread of something dark beneath his respectful tone. Not quite fear. Not quite hatred. Something in between.
This was Emperor Valtor of the Ironforge Empire.
He walked to my father's throne and sat like he owned it. Because now he did.
I wanted to meet the famous King Elian before his death. Valtor smiled pleasantly. The scholar king. Too weak to protect his own daughters from their ambition.
He gestured toward the doorway, and Cassia entered wearing our mother's crown.
Hello, Father, she said softly.
Our father's face crumbled. Why, Cassia? What did I do to make you hate us this much?
You loved her more! Cassia's scream echoed off stone. Every day! 'Elara is so clever. Elara is so kind.' What about me?
I loved you both the same.
LIAR! You chose her as heir! Not me!
I watched Kaedan during this exchange. His face remained blank, but his eyes—those strange silver eyes—kept flicking to me. Watching my reactions. Studying me like I was something important.
Our eyes met once, and I felt that pull again. That terrible awareness.
He looked away first, jaw tightening.
Cassia. Father's voice broke. I thought if I showed you love, you'd grow past your anger. I was wrong.
Cassia's face went blank. She turned to Emperor Valtor. Kill him. Now.
Valtor looked at Prince Theron, who'd been standing silently in the corner. Prince Theron, any last words for your future father-in-law?
Theron finally looked at my father. Guilt flickered across his face. Then vanished.
Politics, Your Majesty. Nothing personal.
My father's eyes hardened. You're a coward who hides behind others' strength. You'll never be a real king. Just a puppet.
Theron flinched.
Emperor Valtor stood, bored. General Kaedan, finish this.
Kaedan drew his sword, long, silver, deadly. I watched his hand on the hilt. Strong. Steady. The hand that was about to kill my father.
NO! I finally broke free and lunged toward Father.
Arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me off the ground. Not a soldier's rough grab—something more controlled. I looked up through tears.
Kaedan's second-in-command held me, his face genuinely sad. I'm sorry, Princess. I'm so sorry.
But I was staring past him at Kaedan, who'd paused with his sword raised. For just a second, his silver eyes met mine.
I saw something there, a flicker of... what? Regret? Humanity?
Then it was gone.
Father! I reached desperately even though I was too far away. PLEASE!
My father smiled. Be brave, my little star. Remember who you are. Remember that love is stronger than hate, even when
Kaedan's sword moved.
Father's words stopped. His eyes went empty. He fell.
I screamed until my voice gave out. Until the world turned black at the edges. Until I couldn't breathe.
When I could see again, Cassia stood over Father's body wearing both crowns.
Poor little Elara, she said. You always had everything. Now I do.
Then Kaedan was there. Walking toward me with blood on his sword. Each step made my heart pound harder.
He stopped directly in front of me. Up close, I could see he wasn't as unaffected as he pretended—his chest rose and fell slightly faster than normal. His jaw was tight.
He'd just killed my father, but something about doing it had cost him too.
I hated that I noticed. Hated that some traitorous part of me saw past the monster.
Princess Elara Ashwyn. His voice was quiet now, meant only for me. Your kingdom is mine. Your palace is mine. Your future is mine.
He paused, and his silver eyes searched my face like he was looking for something.
And according to the Emperor's orders, you are mine as well.
What does that mean? I whispered.
Emperor Valtor's laugh rang out. It means you're going to marry the man who just killed your father. Today. Right now. In the same blood-stained dress.
My blood turned to ice. No.
Yes. Valtor smiled. General Kaedan has conquered twelve kingdoms for me. He deserves a reward.
I looked at Kaedan desperately. Searching for any sign of mercy in those cold eyes.
His expression remained blank, but his gaze lingered on my face. On my tears. On my trembling lips.
Prepare the ceremony, he said, never looking away from me. I'll marry the princess within the hour.
Something in his tone, some strange, dark promise, made my skin prickle with awareness I didn't want.
The commander holding me released his grip. I stumbled, and Kaedan's hand shot out, catching my elbow before I fell.
The touch was brief. Steadying. His hand was warm through my dress.
Our eyes locked.
For one heartbeat, the chaos around us faded. There was only his hand on my arm, his silver eyes on mine, the strange electricity between us.
Then he released me and stepped back.
Take her to prepare, he ordered. Gently.
As soldiers led me away, I looked back once. Kaedan stood in the throne room surrounded by death, watching me leave.
Our eyes met across the blood-stained marble.
He didn't look away until I was gone.