Carlyle didn't retaliate. He remained standing, a clear palm print blooming on his face, yet his eyes looked as if the slap had finally snapped him awake.
Leah screamed in disbelief, "Your Majesty, she struck you! Kill her. Kill her right now!"
Carlyle slowly dropped his gaze to her. For the first time, there was no trace of warmth left. "You've been deceiving me."
Leah trembled violently. "No, I just wanted to stay with you..."
"Quiet!" Carlyle lifted his hand.
Black blood mist coiled around Leah's neck and hauled her off the ground. She thrashed as violet flames on her wedding gown flared even brighter. I made no move to stop it. When they tore at each other, I only observed.
Just as Leah was on the brink of suffocation, the stained-glass dome overhead exploded.
Countless shafts o
