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"The pitcher of ice water smashed into Mara before she could even raise her hands. / Chapter 14 / 19

Chapter 15 - The Captive Princess

Vance fought like a demon possessed, blocking strikes from four men at once, but he was outnumbered and exhausted. The High Alchemist raised a glass vial and shattered it at Vance’s feet, releasing a cloud of paralyzing purple gas. Vance choked, his legs giving out as he collapsed to the muddy ground, unable to move.

"Vance!" Mara screamed, trying to reach him, but two heavy iron gauntlets grabbed her arms from behind, pinning her instantly.

Celeste walked over to Vance, kicking his fallen sword away with a cruel smile. "A heroic effort, Captain. But loyalty is a foolish emotion."

"If you harm him... I swear I will tear this kingdom apart until you are nothing but dust!" Mara snarled, her golden mark blazing brightly under her wet collarbone.

Celeste slapped Mara across the face with a gloved hand. "Silence! You are no longer a princess, Mara. You are merely the key to my ascension."

The mercenaries tied Mara in heavy, alchemy-laced chains that suppressed her internal magic, causing her mark to dim into a faint, painful throb. They dragged her toward a massive, jagged mountain rising in the distance—the Obsidian Peak, where the ancient altar awaited the coming eclipse.

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"I drove three hours to my son’s Thanksgiving dinner with a turkey, two pies, and enough homemade food for 12 people. In front of everyone, my daughter-in-law laughed and said, “Cooking and cleaning, that’s basically your whole personality, Diane.” My son just stared at his plate while the table waited for me to laugh along. I didn’t. That night, I opened the travel plans I had been quietly saving for 11 months, booked a small home in Portugal, and sent my son a Christmas message…

"I drove three hours to my son’s Thanksgiving dinner with a turkey, two...

Andre Abbott bends toward my wife at her promotion dinner, brushes his mouth against her shoulder, and watches me over her head. Sienna Zimmerman leans close to his ear and murmurs something that makes him grin like he has already won. Then he looks straight at me and says, “If you want to see how this celebration really ends, come to Room 808.”

Andre Abbott bends toward my wife at her promotion dinner, brushes his m...

I Returned From My Father's Funeral Still Wearing My Pilot's Uniform—Only to Find My Clothes Scattered Across the Yard. My Brother Smirked, “Dad's Gone. This Isn't Your Home Anymore!” My Aunt Laughed as I Silently Packed My Suitcase. Neither of Them Had Any Idea That Dad Had Left His Entire $9.5 Million Estate to Me…

I Returned From My Father's Funeral Still Wearing My Pilot's Uniform—Onl...

As she was hauled away, Mara managed to cast one last look back at Vance lying motionless in the mud.

Stay alive, she prayed with all her heart. Please... stay alive.

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Chapter 16 - The Gathering Storm
Chapter 17 - The Obsidian Altar
Chapter 18 - The Power Within
Chapter 19 - Justice Served
Chapter 20 - The New Dawn

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