Her eyes grew icy and ruthless. "Make a quick decision, child. Because the outside world perishes more the longer you hesitate.”
The mist retreated, revealing reality this time instead of visions. Wolves were yelling, the fire was going out, and the courtyard was collapsing. Still yelling my name, Thorn was on his knees with blood smearing his mouth.
Between the voice that would not let me go and the throne that claimed me, I stood frozen.
For the first time, the figure's hand raised without waiting for me to make a decision. With a shriek, my own shadows tore from my skin as the throne flared and silver veins raced across the chamber. They were no longer mine.
They bowed to her.
"No!" Silver spilled like blood as the ground split as I staggered forward.
Too wide, the mist peeled
