THE CURSED LADY ( BLOOD SERIES #1)

The night Lyriana was taken to the tower was not the first time her heart was broken. It was the night she lost her mother. The palace halls were covered in darkness. The candles that once warmed the castle flickered weakly, as if they already knew something terrible was about to happen. Lyriana was only twelve years old. She stood hidden behind the large curtains of the throne room, holding her breath as she watched the people she trusted destroy everything she knew. Her father. King Aurelian Zelarion. The man who was supposed to protect their family. And beside him… A woman wearing a beautiful black gown, smiling like she had already won. The king’s mistress. She had always hated Lyriana’s existence. Because Lyriana was the true heir. The daughter of the queen. The child who carried the royal blood. And the only person standing between her and the throne. "She cannot remain here." The mistress’s voice echoed through the room. Her mother, Queen Seraphina, stood in front of Lyriana, protecting her with her own body. "You will not touch my daughter." Her voice was calm. But her eyes were full of anger. King Aurelian looked at his wife. "Seraphina… move." The queen shook her head. "No." A silence filled the room. "She is our daughter." The king’s expression changed. Pain. Guilt. Fear. But the mistress stepped closer. "Your Majesty, you know what the prophets said. She will destroy everything." Queen Seraphina glared at her. "Do not blame a child for a power she never asked for." Lyriana felt tears forming in her eyes. Her mother was the only one still fighting for her. The only one who believed she was not a monster. The king looked away. "Her power is dangerous." Seraphina stepped closer to him. "No. Your fear is dangerous." Those words changed everything. The king’s face hardened. The guards moved forward. Lyriana covered her mouth to stop herself from crying. "Father…?" Her voice escaped. Both of them froze. Her mother immediately turned around. "Lyriana!" The queen rushed toward her and held her tightly. "I told you to run." "I can't leave you." Her mother touched her face. "My precious child… listen to me." Tears fell from Seraphina’s eyes. "You are not a monster." Lyriana shook her head. "Mother…" "You are my daughter." The mistress watched them with cold eyes. "How touching." She stepped forward. "But love will not save her." The queen stood between them. "You will never take her." The king looked at his wife. "Seraphina." His voice trembled. "Please." For a moment… Lyriana saw the man her father used to be. The man who carried her when she was young. The man who smiled at her. But then the mistress whispered: "Choose, Aurelian." The king closed his eyes. And when he opened them… The warmth was gone. "Take Lyriana." The queen’s face fell. "No." The guards grabbed Lyriana. She screamed. "Mother!" Seraphina fought against them. "Don't touch my daughter!" The magic inside Lyriana awakened. The shadows around the room moved violently. The candles went out. The walls shook. Everyone stepped back in fear. The mistress smiled. "See? This is exactly why she must be locked away." The king looked at his daughter. Not with love. With fear. "Prepare the tower." Lyriana stared at him. Her heart shattered. "Father… please." But he turned away. Then her mother did something no one expected. She attacked the guards. She fought. Not because she wanted power. Not because she wanted the throne. Because she was a mother protecting her child. "Run, Lyriana!" The queen screamed. But before Lyriana could move… The king raised his hand. A powerful magic struck the queen. The world went silent. Her mother fell. "Mother…?" Lyriana froze. No. No. This wasn't real. Her mother slowly looked at her. Even while dying… She smiled. "Don't let them take your heart…" Her voice became weaker. "Promise me… you will never become what they fear." Tears streamed down Lyriana’s face. "Mother!" She ran toward her. But the guards held her back. The last thing she saw… Was her mother lying on the cold marble floor. Killed by the man who promised to love her. And the woman who wanted everything. That night… Lyriana lost her family. Her home. Her innocence. And as the chains wrapped around her wrists… She made a promise. Not to become a monster. But to make the world remember what they did. Because they did not create her darkness. They created her revenge.