The Council room was in ruins, and the air was heavy with the smell of blood and charred stone. Amidst the rubble, Kael knelt, his body bruised and his soul much more burdened. In addition to causing physical wounds, Elias's onslaught had shattered the foundation of their entire existence.
The sound of Elder Thorne's icy, uncompromising voice broke the stillness. "Kael, you stand accused of breaking the sacred bond, of rejecting your fated mate, and of endangering the balance of our kind."
Kael lifted his head to look at the Elder. "I took the action I believed to be correct. I wanted to keep her safe.
"Denial does not lead to protection," Elder Lysandra interrupted. "Your actions have consequences, consequences that ripple through our society."
Raven came forward, her eyes burni
