Page 144 of Daughter of the Serpent

Didn’t he see that what he was doing now could be worse than the trials?

“Another feeble attempt to prove your innocence, yet one that will not be believed.” Elder Farga spat. “She had clearly ensnaredone of our finest. She had clearly been taking him under her spell all these years. We must keep her from creating any further damage.”

Rederick nodded in agreement, his expression unchanged. Gesturing to the guards, his chin lifted. “Take her away.”

Haldor’s head snatched up, looking at Rederick. “You said she would be safe. That she would be able to live her days out in the temple.”

“I did.” Rederick snarled. “I am doing this for your own good, boy. She will be kept safe, locked away where she may do no harm, nor ensnare others so easily into her corruption.”

The guards moved in, hands outstretching to seize her. She could feel them closing in, the heat of their hands gripping into her shoulders. Her heart stopped and she tensed, her hand instinctively coming to the blade strapped to her thigh. Her magic had begun to humm with power, her hands hot with rage. Yet before she could act, a sudden crash echoed through the hall as the heavy doors were thrown open. The impact sent a shudder through the floor, the hinges groaning in protest as Axel stormed in. Dust and splinters erupted from the frame, swirling in the sudden gust of cold air that swept through, shadows curling along his feet, his eyes blazing with fire. All eyes turned to the entrance, wide with shock, as the room fell silent.

“Let her go.” Axel’s voice was a low, dangerous growl as he stalked forward, the guards hesitating only for a moment before attempting to restrain him. His eyes were molten lava, fury radiating from every pore, and in an instant Sylvie could feel it all. Suddenly, the bond shivered down her spine, as her energy tapped into his, enveloping herself in him in an instant. Heat blazed up her body, flames coiling along her legs, her stomach, her heart. Violence dripped from her fingers, as they ached for blood. As her eyes snapped to his face, she could see it - the same expression of pure anger he had worn all those nights ago at the rebirth celebration. The very same when those men had dared to touch her.

In an instant one guard was down with a swift punch to the jaw, another hurled across the room. His movements were fluid, precise,each strike calculated to incapacitate without hesitation. More guards moved in, encircling him, swords drawn.

The elders watched, a mix of shock and fear crossing their faces as Axel tore through the guards one by one, his eyes never leaving hers. It was as if he was in every bend and curve of her body, entwining himself with her own soul. Sylvie’s eyes went wide. Seeing him in action was exactly how it felt the first time - pure awe. He moved like a wildcat, raw and powerful, yet graceful and fluid. None of the guards could unarm him, his ax a glowing beckon at his side - it’s energy flowing and pulsating with each splatter of blood.

Sylvie watched, her breath hitching as Axel reached her, his grip strong as he pulled her behind him. A guard who had been stationed beside her reached out, his hand locking around her left wrist. Yet it was his mistake, as Axel’s ax came down in one swift and final blow rendering it from his flesh in an instant. The man screamed in pain, stepping back from them as quickly as he could clutching his bloodied wrist in agony.

Axel snarled, his eyes consumed in fire as his gaze locked onto Rederick - his expression feral. Sylvie flinched. She wasn’t sure what Axel was capable of, even now. There was a certain wildness in his eyes, an untamed facet of him that was unpredictable - and unmistakably dangerous.

The remaining guards hesitated, unsure whether to advance or retreat, their faces paling as Axel outstretched his ax, the runes coming to life in the light. “Anyone else?”

The hall fell into a suffocating silence, the air thick with unease as the elders exchanged wary glances. Axel’s defiance was a direct challenge, and it rattled them. Rederick’s face twisted - not just with fury, but with something deeper. Uncertainty.

Haldor shifted, hand instinctively finding the hilt of his sword. But Rederick lifted a hand, stopping him cold.

“Howdareyou barge into these halls and spill Mardovian blood!” Rederick’s voice was sharp, but there was strain beneath it - an effort to maintain his composure as hepushed to his feet.

Axel’s lip curled. “How dareI?” His voice was a low growl, brimming with barely contained rage. “How dareyoulay a hand on her.”

Rederick straightened, regaining some of his bravado. “This behavior - ”

“This behavior,” Axel cut him off, his voice vibrating with fury, “is a response to your cowardice.” He took a slow, deliberate step forward, his grip tightening around Sylvie’s arm in silent reassurance. “You think you can control her? That if you keep her shackled, hidden away, she’ll never grow powerful enough to challenge you?” His eyes burned, sweeping over the elders.

“You’reafraidof what she’ll become. And you should be.”

Shock thrummed through her. Murmurs rippled through the hall. Rederick’s jaw clenched.

Axel’s voice dropped lower, colder.Deadly.“If you try to take her from the trials - if you deny her the right to fight - I swear on the gods, on my own blood, that if she doesn’t tear you apart first, Iwill.” He let the promise linger, sharp and unwavering. “And I will not stop until every last man who stands in her way lies dead at my feet.”

A beat of silence. Heavy. Stifling.

Sylvie’s breath hitched. The air around Axel crackled, raw and untamed, the force of his presence sinking into her bones. And in that moment, sheknew- there was no threat in his words.

Only truth.

The elders stiffened, the words hanging heavy in the air. Axel’s eyes blazed and for a moment, she wondered if he might follow through on his promise, right then and there.

Rederick’s expression darkened, but he managed a cold smile. “You think you’ve won, Axel?” His eyes drilled into him as sudden shadows began to form around his fingertips, curling in menacing arches now focused in their direction. “You think that if you take her from here today, that she will survive? She will win the gods' favor? I’m afraid you will be sadly mistaken.”

Axel’s body was an impenetrable wall, but she could feel the anger pulsing from him, and see the way his grip was tighteningaround the hilt of his ax, the runes that graced his hands and fingers coming aglow. Fear trickled in her veins, despite the strength Axel had shown, she knew all too well what Rederick was capable of.

In an instant, the shadows exploded outward, unfurling like jagged, twisting claws of darkness that swallowed the room whole. The air grew thick and oppressive, and Sylvie’s scream tore through the silence, her body frozen in terror. Her hand shot out instinctively, a desperate, trembling shield in front of Axel as if she could somehow protect him from the onslaught, but was pushed aside by a force unseen.

The world seemed to hold its breath. The room stilled, and time stretched unnaturally, each heartbeat pounding in her ears like a drumbeat of doom. The shadows surged, a tidal wave of black, and wrapped themselves around Axel, devouring him entirely. Her heart plummeted, anguish rippling across her face.

“No!” The single word pierced the air, her arms instantly reaching for him.

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