Page 107 of The Moonborn's Curse

A ripple went through the room.

"You cannot cast a spell on stone and expect it to bloom," Seren continued. "Something in him responded to you. Maybe it was an old habit. Maybe it was the love he had. But magic needs soil to grow. And a plant does not grow on salted earth."

She stood then, slowly, like an old woman, her joints creaking her soul in tatters.

" I refuse to be part of a bond built on what could never truly belong to me."

Hagan took a step forward. "Seren—"

But she raised her hand without looking at him.

And slowly, Hagan felt the pain of her pulling away.

Chapter 41

A ripple passed through the longhouse as Draken stepped forward.

No one breathed.

He walked slowly- his shoulders heavy beneath the weight of what had been said. And then, without a word, he dropped to his knees before her.

A stunned gasp rose from the crowd.

The Highclaw bowed to no one.

But here he was, kneeling at the feet of the girl he had helped build, burn, and betray.

"I didn't see it," he said hoarsely. "I saw the prophecy, the strength in the bloodlines. I saw what we needed - but not what I was asking of you."

He paused - then looked up, another truth heavy in his eyes.

"Veyr... Veyr spoke to me once. Weeks ago. He said he overheard Gaia speaking to Lia. Said she told her the bond could be broken."

A murmur stirred through the hall.

"I didn't believe it," Draken admitted, voice cracking. "I didn't think it was possible. Not with a fated pair. Not with a bond like yours."

His voice broke then, shoulders sagging.

"I was wrong."

"I am sorry, Seren. For all of it."

But she did not speak.

The aura of fury that had surged around her earlier - the storm that pulsed through the floorboards, through the bond - was gone now. In its place was silence. Dust. Ash.

She looked down at him, not cruel, not angry-just empty.

The Oracle, pale and stricken, stepped forward slowly. She stopped just short of Seren, hesitant, as if afraid to get too close.

"I-" she began, her voice trembling. "We thought we were protecting you. Preparing you."

Seren's gaze drifted to her. There was no heat in it. A short humourless snort escaped her.

When she spoke, her voice was low but clear-sharp enough to slice through bone.

"You're all so selfish," she said.

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