Page 51 of Beyond the Treaty

I swallowed hard and stepped forward, eyes scanning the words as they etched into my mind.

The soul is bound in chains unseen.

Follow the path of fire and shadow.

The beast awakens beneath the crimson moon.My breath caught. “It’s guiding us to him.” The messenger chuckled softly. “Indeed, it is.”

I turn towards the messenger. “What do you want from us?” He smiles. “Nothing. I am merely here to deliver a message.” “Then why help us at all?” Azrael asked, suspicion lacing his

tone.

The messenger’s golden eyes glinted with something per-

ilous. “Because I have witnessed what transpires when menconsider themselves gods. And because the council does not merit what they desire.”

His gaze fixed on mine one last time.

“But be warned, Elara. If you arrive too late... You may not recognise what you uncover.”

The words slipped from my lips before I could prevent them. “Wait! I have a question?”

The messenger, who had begun to turn away, paused mid- step. His glowing golden eyes flickered with something inscrutable as he slowly turned his gaze back to me.

I took a breath, steadying myself. “The Council has always claimed that my marriage to Kaelen was necessary for the realm’s safety. That our union would prevent a catastrophe. But was that ever true?” My voice hardened. “Or was it just another one of their lies?”

For the first time, the messenger hesitated. A beat of heavy and tense silence passed before he finally spoke.

“It was not a lie.”

My breath hitched.

Azrael stiffened beside me. Darius, who had been shifting

impatiently, suddenly seemed more alert, his focus locked onto the messenger with a rare seriousness.

I swallowed hard. “Then what was it for? What did theyneedfrom me?”

The messenger tilted his head slightly, considering me. “You already know the answer.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t.”

A slow, knowing smile spread across his lips. “Yes, you do.” I clenched my fists. “Tell me.”

The wind around us intensified, swirling ash into the

air. The runes in the tome pulsed violently, as if they, too, anticipated the answer.

The messenger’s voice was softer when he next spoke, yet still retained its power.

“The Blood-Bound Curse.”

I felt the ground beneath me give way.

Darius muttered a curse under his breath. Azrael remained

still, yet I could sense the tension emanating from him.

I swallowed against the sudden dryness in my throat. “The Blood-Bound Curse is merely a myth. Otherwise, the Council

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