Chapter 34. Ash and Inheritance

The hall was silent.

Not because they feared her—but because they didn’t know what she had become.

Seraya sat upon the stone throne, her skin still warm from the fire that had chosen her. The crown was no longer a crown—it had burned into her skull, invisible to most, but thrumming with energy so raw it made the walls hum.

Her heartbeat was slower now.

Deeper.

The mountain beat with her.

The Lycan stood to her right, silent and watching. Not subservient, not bound—simply… waiting.

On her left stood Veyra, blood on her hands, shoulders squared. Her jaw was tight, her body tense. She hadn’t spoken since the First Queen vanished back into the shadows beneath Hollowridge.

Seraya’s fingers curled on the throne arm.