Chapter 20 - THE DOOR THAT REQUIRED A QUEEN’S BLOOD
Elara returned to Valtherion beneath a sky filled with black lightning.
Six celestial flames glowed upon her wrist.
Kael rode beside her, while Theron and Aldric followed through the eastern gate.
The city looked different.
People were gathering around public kitchens.
Food was being distributed from the royal granaries.
Soldiers were helping civilians reinforce damaged houses.
Mara Solen stood among the volunteers.
When she saw Elara, she rushed forward.
“You’re alive!”
Elara embraced her.
“How are the people?”
“Frightened. Hungry. But the food has helped.”
Mara lowered her voice.
“The Queen ordered it.”
Kael froze.
“My mother?”
Mara nodded.
“She also sent a messenger asking to speak with you.”
Elara exchanged a look with Kael.
Neither trusted the sudden change.
But Seraphine’s orders had saved lives.
That mattered.
They entered the palace under a white flag.
The throne room remained scarred by the Golden Hand’s awakening.
At the center stood Queen Seraphine.
She wore a plain dark gown.
No crown.
No jewels.
Only the royal signet ring, now cracked and blackened.
Kael stopped.
“Mother.”
Seraphine looked toward him.
Tears filled her eyes.
“My son.”
He did not approach.
Elara stood beside him.
The Queen turned toward her.
For several seconds, Seraphine seemed unable to speak.
Then she lowered herself to her knees.
The watching guards gasped.
Elara stared.
“What are you doing?”
Seraphine looked up.
“Something I should have done years ago.”
She bowed her head.
“I murdered your family.”
The words echoed through the hall.
Elara felt pain rise like fire.
Seraphine continued.
“I imprisoned your mother. I ordered children killed. I used fear to steal a kingdom.”
Kael stood motionless.
The Queen’s voice trembled.
“I cannot ask you to forgive me.”
Elara looked at her.
“Then why am I here?”
“Because Malrec has opened the final chamber beneath the Hall of Ashes.”
Theron’s expression changed.
“The Seventh Seal.”
Seraphine nodded.
“He has bound Lyanna to the altar. When the last flame reaches the Golden Hand, he intends to use the royal bloodline to open the prison.”
Elara stepped forward.
“Then take us to her.”
Seraphine hesitated.
“There’s something else.”
Kael’s expression tightened.
“What?”
“The final chamber requires the blood of a reigning sovereign to open.”
Elara looked toward the empty throne.
“You.”
Seraphine nodded.
“Yes.”
Aldric moved closer.
“This may be another trap.”
Seraphine lowered her eyes.
“You have every reason not to trust me.”
Elara studied her.
The Queen had destroyed lives.
No confession could erase that.
But if she was telling the truth, Lyanna might finally be freed.
“Lead us,” Elara said.
Seraphine slowly rose.
They descended beneath the palace.
At the end of the Hall of Ashes stood a massive black door.
Seven symbols surrounded its center.
Six glowed.
The seventh remained dark.
Seraphine approached.
She pressed her wounded palm against the stone.
Blood flowed into the grooves.
The door trembled.
A voice echoed from within.
Malrec.
“Thank you, Seraphine.”
The Queen stepped backward.
The door opened.
Beyond lay a vast circular chamber.
Lyanna hung suspended above a black altar.
Her chains blazed with golden fire.
And beneath her, the final prison seal was cracking.
Elara rushed forward.
“Mother!”
Lyanna opened her eyes.
“Elara… don’t!”
Malrec stepped from behind the altar.
His skeletal face twisted into a smile.
“At last.”
He spread his arms.
“The heir, the Queen, and the Prince.”
The chamber doors slammed shut.
May you like
Malrec looked toward Elara.
“Now we can finish what Aurion began.”
