Page 210
Story: Ashes to Ashes
The Crown pulses against my chest one final time—not with power or ancient knowledge, but with the acid recognition that sometimes, despite everything you know and everyone you’ve been, you’re still just helpless witnesses to someone else’s tragedy.
Outside the windows, morning gives way to afternoon light that paints everything beautiful and deceptive.
Soon, everything ends.
And all we can do is watch.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper to no one in particular, the words carrying passionate regret that threatens to crack my chest open. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find another way.”
The apology hangs in the air like smoke from a funeral pyre that hasn’t been lit yet.
Three hours until we discover that love, knowledge, and desperate hope are no match for political machinery designed to grind individual lives into acceptable outcomes.
Three hours until we learn that sometimes, despite everything you know and everyone you’ve been, you’re still just helpless witnesses to someone else’s tragedy.
42
ASH
Suppression magic turnsmy brain to mush.
Each thought crawls halfway up before dissolving. I reach for the bathroom door handle. Miss twice before my fingers remember how solid objects work.
Fine. If I’m bleeding tonight, it’s on my terms.
Davis has gone hoarse behind the locked door. Hours of pleading, getting more desperate. Good. Let him scream himself raw while I prep for what might be the stupidest tactical decision of my life.
The bone sword sits on the bed. Silk wrapping loose enough to show corrupted crystal embedded in ancient bone. Amarantha’s “mercy”—suicide dressed as kindness. The blade pulses with energy that makes my suppressed thorns recoil.
Not happening. Won’t give her the satisfaction.
If I die tonight, it’s my choice.
Through the magical fog clouding my thoughts, I focus on what I actually know:
Trial requires manifesting four ancient treasures. Impossible for one person. That’s the point. Moros wants spectacular failure, public breakdown, so he can swoop in with his life debt “salvation” at maximum desperation.
Fine. I’ll fail. Nearly die trying. When he offers binding in exchange for survival? I’ll take it.
Because Unseelie slavery beats death. Beats Davis breaking what’s left of my mind. Beats Amarantha’s toxic version of care.
At least in Moros’s court, I’ll be close enough to find weaknesses. Plan real revenge.
If I survive the binding process.
The chamber door opens. Seelie guards, armor gleaming like captured starlight. They arrange themselves around me. Not protection—escort duty. Making sure I reach my destination without escape attempts.
“The trial chamber awaits,” the lead guard announces.
White silk clings like burial shrouds. Each fold whispers against my throat. My fingers tremble tying the sash—not from fear, but recognition. Every fiber knows what this outfit means.
Prey dressed for slaughter.
Let them think I’m hollow. Let them believe the suppression worked. Let them feel safe watching the perfect execution.
Ghosts don’t scream.
They haunt.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156
- Page 157
- Page 158
- Page 159
- Page 160
- Page 161
- Page 162
- Page 163
- Page 164
- Page 165
- Page 166
- Page 167
- Page 168
- Page 169
- Page 170
- Page 171
- Page 172
- Page 173
- Page 174
- Page 175
- Page 176
- Page 177
- Page 178
- Page 179
- Page 180
- Page 181
- Page 182
- Page 183
- Page 184
- Page 185
- Page 186
- Page 187
- Page 188
- Page 189
- Page 190
- Page 191
- Page 192
- Page 193
- Page 194
- Page 195
- Page 196
- Page 197
- Page 198
- Page 199
- Page 200
- Page 201
- Page 202
- Page 203
- Page 204
- Page 205
- Page 206
- Page 207
- Page 208
- Page 209
- Page 210 (Reading here)
- Page 211
- Page 212
- Page 213