Page 143 of Daughter of the Serpent

His expression shifted, a flash of something - hurt, anger, betrayal? - crossing his features before his anger hardened again. His fists clenched at his sides, but he held his ground, unwilling to yield.

“What I do know is that in three days, the trials will begin.” He began to pace, his hand combing through his hair in frustration. “And you could be disqualified for this - compromising yourself with a man, sneaking off like that. The elders are just looking for an excuse to remove you from the trials and punish you themselves!”

Sylvie flinched at the accusation, her cheeks flushing with a mix of guilt and defiance. “I didn’t do anything wrong! I just - ”

Haldor cut her off, his voice low and urgent. “You just,what?” His eyes were daggers, waiting to tear her limb from limb. “Do you love him? Is that what this is?”

“Haldor - ” Sylvie began, but he refused to let her finish.

“If you’re going to risk everything, at least be smart about it.” His eyes drilled into her. “If you’re going to do this, it might as well bewith someone who cares about you. Someone who would keep you safe.”

Before she could respond, Haldor reached out, his hands firm as he pulled her towards him. Sylvie’s breath hitched, her mind spinning as he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a sudden, forceful kiss. It was not gentle or soft; it was laced with frustration and something deeper - something protective, possessive. For a moment, Sylvie found herself caught in it, her thoughts scattering as she tried to process the unexpected turn.

But just as quickly as it began, Haldor pulled back, his eyes scanning the treeline beyond her shoulder. Sylvie followed his gaze, her breath coming fast as she noticed a figure half - hidden in the shadows, watching. Recognition dawned - one of the temple’s guards, known for his loose tongue and quick judgments.

“Haldor...” she began, her voice faltering as the reality set in.

“It had to be this way,” he whispered, his voice pained but resolute. He released her, stepping back as if to put distance between them. “Now they’ll have something to report, but I’ll be here to protect you. You’ll be spared from the trials, and from him.”

Sylvie’s chest tightened, anger flaring as she realized the full scope of his actions. “You did this on purpose!” Her voice trembled with betrayal. “You - you wanted them to see! To ruin my chances.”

“I’m protecting you.” Haldor’s expression softened, but his eyes remained hard.

“Protecting me?”The words tasted like ash.

“You don’t understand what you’re facing, Sylvie. The trials - they’re not what you think. I’m trying to save you, even if it means you hate me for it.”

A sharp, bitter laugh tore from her throat. “But nownothingwill change, Haldor!” Her voice cracked, raw and aching. “I won't ever be able to prove myself worthy or innocent! I’ll neverbe able to fight for the life I want - the life Ideserve!” Her eyes tore into him, relentless. “And it’s because ofyou!”

Sylvie stared at him, her heart pounding as the weight of his words settled over her. She knew Haldor believed he was protecting her, but this - it was unforgivable. Her chest heaved, her hands trembling with anger.

“You took my choice away from me.” Her throat burned, her lungs full of acid.

“I’ll never forgive you for this.”

Without another word, she turned away, leaving Haldor standing alone in the shadows of the forest closing in around him.

It wasn’t long before Sylvie was summoned to face Rederick and the elders.

Perched on his polished throne, Rederick’s beady eyes bore into her. The air felt thick with the weight of her offenses, the list of them growing longer with each passing day, and Sylvie knew she was running out of second chances. Elder Runa’s warnings flashed through her mind - any slip, and misstep, could seal her fate. The elders had been looking for any reason to remove her from the trials, any excuse to throw her in the dungeons, and lock her away for good. Yet thanks to her closest friend, here she was - dragged before them to face judgment.

Haldor’s gaze pierced into her as he stood at Rederick’s side, but she refused to meet it. She hadn’t had much time to process everything that had passed between them, but Haldor’s betrayal had cut deeper than any blade. As much as she understood his reasoning, tried to understand his twisted logic - he had no right to make such a choice for her, and it was something she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to forgive. Now, she faced the possibility of a permanent sentence in this cursed temple - exile, or something worse.And it wasn’t just her own future at stake. No doubt Axel would somehow also be dragged into this mess because of Haldor’s actions, caught in the crossfire of a conflict he never asked to be a part of.

Sylvie clenched her fists, her resolve hardening as she met Rederick’s piercing gaze, vowing not to be a pawn in their games any longer.

She needed to find some way out of this mess.

“Your recent escapades have come to our attention. A witness has come forth telling of your ungodly behavior, and blatant disregard for the standards of the temple, and the children of the light - despite our former mercy. Your actions once more violate the rules of purity, and the expectations that have been placed upon you as a servant of the light. You were to remain untouched, never knowing the touch of a man until divinely wed. You are aware of these rules, are you not?”

Sylvie nodded. “Yes my lord.”

“Then I see no reason why I should not ban you from the trials altogether, and pass judgment here and now for your fate.” His eyes scanned her features, emotionless. “Compromising yourself, it shows your lack of respect for our ways, and the gods themselves. I see no reason why they do not smite you here and now for your insolence!”

Elder Farga rose from his seat aside Rederick’s, his eyes full of flame. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Sylvie clenched her fists, her gaze flickering between the elders. “I have done nothing wrong!” she protested, her voice firm though fear clawed at her insides. “This has all been a mistake, I never kissed Haldor, it was not intentional…”

Her eyes burrowed into Haldors, desperate, yet his gaze stayed pinned on his feet. She clenched her jaw, anger burning up her insides at his stubbornness.