Chapter 54

Seris’s POV

This time, he didn’t ambush me in the forest near the castle. He struck in the very heart of the ballroom, yanking me from Ronan’s arms just as he came rushing toward me. Ronan didn’t move an inch—he simply watched, impassive, as Malrik Corebane threw me to the marble floor. A sickening crack echoed when Malrik’s fist connected with my skull, and blood poured from the split skin, staining my once-angelic white gown a deep crimson. My crown rolled away across the polished stones as I tried to gather myself, but he loomed over me, looming and cruel.

“Please—help!” I screamed, clambering sideways, pressing my palms against the cold floor in a desperate bid to escape. Malrik’s grey eyes, sharp and glittering with triumph, followed my every pleading movement. Behind me, the guests—aristocrats and courtiers—stared on in stunned silence. My mate’s face was blank, as if he neither saw nor heard my screams; I felt as though I stood alone in a dream and they rem