Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
The words hung over the cavern like a death sentence.
Its next sacrifice.
The silver light of the throne pulsed once beneath the mountain.
Slow.
Heavy.
Ancient.
Midnight stared at the First Queen.
"No."
The answer came instantly.
Reflexively.
Because there was no universe where she had fought this hard only to become another corpse buried beneath history.
The First Queen's silver eyes softened.
"Oh, little one."
That look hurt more than the words.
Because it wasn't pity.
It was recognition.
She had stood exactly where Midnight stood once.
The realization settled heavily in the cavern.
Kael stepped closer.
The alpha's hand found Midnight's instantly.
The mate bond surged hard enough to make her chest ache.
Protective.
Determined.
Refusing
