Page 141 of Crowned In Venom

But I do not move.

Not yet.

Because all I can do is stare at the monster before me.

At Varkos' father.

And wonder?—

Why did she do this to him?

Why did she turn him into this?

And now that he is free?—

What will he do?

42

VARKOS

The Matriarch leads me through the winding halls of the palace, her steps light, leisurely, as if she has already won.

As if I am already hers.

Her fingers trail along the stone walls, her lips curved in amusement as she hums a haunting tune under her breath.

"You are quiet, my son."

I say nothing.

She laughs softly. "Ah, anticipation. How sweet it is."

She thinks she has broken me.

Perhaps she has.

But before she binds my soul, before she chains me to her forever, I will see Anya one last time.

She allows it, of course—she wants to witness my suffering.

She wants to watch Anya’s eyes when she learns what I have done, what I have become.

I force my breath to stay steady as we near the dungeon.

The guards follow us, their weapons gleaming under the dim torchlight, the magic in the air thick and suffocating.

And then?—

The ground shakes.

A low, rumbling tremor, deep and guttural, like the earth itself is groaning in agony.

The flames in the torches flicker, then sputter out.

A pulse of raw, ancient power thrums through the stone.

Something is wrong.

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