Chapter 2 The Old Prison Beneath EternalNight
617 Words
I never returned to BlackRose Palace. Beneath EternalNight City, the old prison was colder than any grave.
As the iron gate swung open, the stench of spoiled blood and sanctified silver-seared flesh slammed into me. At the far end, a man hung chained to the wall.
Samuel Sinclair, once prince of the Northern Frontier, and the first man Carlyle had driven into the underground after claiming the throne.
13 Judgment Spikes tore through his shoulders, ribs, and knees, pinning him to the wall like a broken saint's portrait. He lifted his eyes slowly at the sound of my steps.
"The queen?" His voice was rough, but carried a faint, bitter chuckle. "What now? Did Carlyle finally decide to burn me to cinders?"
I approached him. Blood marked a trail down my dress with every step.
His eyes dropped to my chest, and the smile faded. "He took your Crownmark of Blood?"
"Yes."
"And you let him live?"
"Not yet."
I wrapped my hand around the first Judgment Spike. The instant silver met my palm, my skin started to smoke.
I did not release it. "I want the Northern Frontier's old army."
Samuel fixed his stare on me. "You came to a prisoner to recruit soldiers?"
"I didn't come to recruit." I yanked the spike out.
The moment it left his body, a suppressed groan broke from his throat. Veins bulged at his temple, but he still didn't beg.
"I came to return something." From my sleeve, I drew a black iron ring. It was the princely seal of the Northern Frontier.
Seven years ago, Carlyle had severed Samuel's father's head and thrown this ring into my vault as spoils of war. Everyone believed I had kept it as an insult to the Northern Frontier. Only I knew it held the oath of 3,000 Northern Frontier soldier souls, bound within its iron core.
Samuel's pupils tightened. "You kept it hidden for seven years?"
"I wasn't Carlyle's lapdog, guarding his throne." I lifted my hand and let a drop of blood fall into a long-abandoned Blood Lantern against the wall.
The dry wick ignited one after another. Muted red. Deep violet. Then a black flame like a rift tearing open hell itself.
Samuel stared at the lanterns, his voice lowering. "Blood Lanterns of EternalNight City still answer to you?"
"The Crownmark of Blood was never more than a key." I drew out the last Judgment Spike.
Samuel dropped from the wall, hitting one knee. Smoke curled from his wounds.
"A key can be taken. But wicks don't forget whose blood woke them." I flung the ring to him. "Tomorrow night's wedding, seal all four blood gates. Judgment Enforcers of the Holy Sanctum will enter EternalNight City. I want them to see Carlyle hand the blade to Leah himself."
Samuel raised a brow. "Judgment Enforcers? They're your people?"
I looked down. "13 Enforcers owe me a BlackRose Seal. They stood behind Carlyle back then because of my name. Tomorrow, I'll make them collect that debt in front of everyone."
Samuel let out a low chuckle. "So that human saintess isn't just your love rival."
"She's a pawn." I turned toward the exit. The hollow in my chest burned with every step, like I was walking over knives. Still, my pace never broke.
Samuel called after me, "What do you really want? Her dead? Carlyle too?"
"Not enough." I stopped at the doorway and glanced back. "I'm using their wedding to drag every hidden fool in EternalNight City into the light."
Samuel smiled faintly. "Isabella, you don't look like a discarded queen."
"Of course." I held his gaze. "I was never meant to be replaced. I want to seize the throne."
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