The air inside the prison cell was thick with the scent of damp stone and old blood.
Silver chains still bound Amelia’s wrists, the lingering burn a cruel reminder of Valeria’s power over her.
Though her body ached from the torment she endured, her mind remained sharp, fueled by the burning need for answers.
Across the dimly lit room, Valeria stood in front of her, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows against the walls.
A smirk played at her lips, a cruel amusement glinting in her dark eyes.
“You’re stubborn,” Valeria mused, tilting her head as she observed Amelia. “Just like your mother. It’s almost admirable.”
Amelia clenched her fists, the silver biting into her skin. “You talk as if you knew her.”
Valeria’s smirk deepened. “Knew her? Oh, little queen, I knew her bett
