Morwenna's POV
Smoke curled from the cracked window, tinged with the scent of blood and burnt parchment. I sat cross-legged on the cold marble, the shard pulsing between my palms like a heartbeat I didn’t trust. The curse had grown louder since the mirror shattered. My reflection no longer mimicked me. It waited.
Sabine had warded my chamber with runes older than the kingdom. But I could still feel her, the older version of me lingering just behind the veil. Watching.
Voices argued outside the door. Leofric and High Priest Larkan. The new alliance made my skin crawl. The temple wanted control over me, over my power. And Leofric—I still hadn’t decided if he wanted me as his equal or as his shield.
The door opened without a knock.
Leofric entered first, followed by Larkan, robes draggi
