Sera stepped forward, barefoot and shaking, but unbroken. The robe slid further off her shoulder with every movement, but she didn’t care. Let them see.
Let them see what their hatred had created. Her body bore Lucien’s bruises like sacred scripture. His bite was still fresh.
Her breasts leaked drops of milk that soaked the silk sash still clutched in her trembling hands. And still, she stood tall. Still, she looked Vale in the eye without flinching.
“Lucien didn’t claim me because of you. He didn’t take me to fulfill your bargain. He took me because the Moon put me in his path, and the gods made me strong enough to survive him. You want to reduce me to a contract? Then let’s talk terms. I was sold. Fine. But what was delivered is not what you gave away.”
“You handed over a girl. Bro
