The Secret Beneath the Broken Marble: How the Heartbeat of a Fallen Queen Unraveled Two Kingdoms

"Vane," Adrian gritted his teeth, wiping blood from his arm. "He was working with Norwyn all along."

"He sold me to them," Elara realized, stepping out from the alcove, her eyes wide with shock. "Vane didn't just advise you to abandon me—he orchestrated my capture so Norwyn could build their weapon!"

"We end this tonight," Adrian said resolutely.

He bound his wounded shoulder tightly with a strip of silk and grabbed his royal sword. Knowing time was running out as the stone curse continued to creep up Elara’s arm, Adrian led her through the palace’s hidden servant passages toward the guest tower where the ambassador was housed.

As they reached the base of the tower, they heard muffled voices from a secluded study. Adrian peered through the crack of the wooden door.

Lord Vane stood inside, arguing heatedly with Ambassador Kael.

"The King knows something is wrong!" Vane hissed nervously. "The assassin should have finished him by now. If Adrian discovers the stone queen is gone—"

"Quiet, you fool," Kael sneered, holding up a glowing obsidian amulet that throbbed with a sickening purple light. "The curse is already reclaiming the girl. Once she turns back to stone fully, the realm's magic will burst, killing Adrian and shattering the citadel gates. Our armies are already waiting in the forest."

"You promised I would rule Valeria!" Vane snapped.