Chapter 192

AEKERIA

The next morning, Ackeira was beside herself with worry as she stepped into the grand court alongside Emeriel. They had tried to be brave when they received the summons, dressing in their slave uniforms with unsteady hands. But now, standing before the imposing double doors of the court, her heart somersaulted repeatedly.

As the doors creaked open, Emeriel’s hand grabbed hers, her anxious eyes reflecting Aekeira’s own fear. Linking their fingers, Ackeira mouthed, “It’s going to be fine.”

They stood at the center of the court, surrounded by lords, high-ranking officials, and nobles, their gazes heavy and assessing. Aekeira’s gaze immediately found Grand Lord Vladya, seated at the king’s right. He remained stoic, his attention solely on the parchment before him, never glancing at her.

Contrary to Emeriel’s assurances, Aekeira knew Vladya had been avoiding her all week. She had felt the deliberate absence, the cold distance, and it hurt. She had thought they were making progress. After the day they spent together in his chambers, when he had shared a part of himself with her, she had dared to hope he was letting her in. But now, it was clear he wasn’t. In fact, he had completely withdrawn. Was it the feral madness again? Or had he decided a mere human wasn’t worth his attention?

Aekeira wished she could say it hadn’t bothered her, but she had been obsessing over the reasons, trying to justify his silence and avoidance. Maybe their paths simply hadn't crossed? So why hadn’t he spared her a glance? Not even once?

“We are gathered here today to make a decree,” the grand king’s voice rang out. “For too long, these two souls have been bound in chains, denied their freedom and dignity. Today, we acknowledge their dedication and service to Urai. By the power vested in me by this court and in the presence of these witnesses, I hereby declare that the bonds of their enslavement are broken.”

Aekeira heard the words, but their meaning didn’t immediately register. Bonds of enslavement… broken? A quick glance at Emeriel confirmed her sister’s equal confusion.

“From this moment forth, you are free women, no longer subject to the will of another,” the grand king continued. “May you walk with your heads held high, knowing you are equal in the eyes of this land and its people. Go forth, live your lives as you choose, and may you find peace and happiness in your newfound freedom.”

We are free…?

She could feel the radiating relief.

“Free, Krial,” Emeriel mumbled, her arms around her.

“Yes, we are. I’m unreal. Ten months of slavery. Was it really over?”

No more back-breaking chores, slavemasters with their spiked whips, barely edible food, nights of starvation, mistresses attacking them, being naked before lords—was it truly over?

“I never thought this day would come,” Emeriel choked out, glancing around the room. “How is this possible?”

Aekeira shook her head. “I don’t know.”

As the grand king scribbled on a scroll, passing it to the high lords for their signatures, Aekeira watched their freedom become more tangible with each mark. With every stroke of the quill, their chains unraveled. Then, the grand king’s words returned to her: A troop awaits to safely take you back home.

Aekeira stilled. Her breath caught; her heart froze. They were going back home. Back to Navia.

Emeriel tensed. Aekeira saw the realization in her eyes, as clear as water.

Aekeira looked at the podium where Lord Vladya and King Daemonikai scrutinized the scrolls, focused solely on the formalities. The same ironclad control, the same poker faces and unrevealing eyes. Both males, so different yet so alike in many ways. She desperately wished she could see what was going through Lord Vladya’s mind. Why hadn’t he looked at her? Not even a glance.

But she knew why. They were being sent away. These two impossibly stubborn males were getting rid of them the only way they knew how: millions of miles across the universe, far enough they would never return. They wanted them gone so badly they were willing to set them free to achieve it.

“It h—hurts,” Emeriel’s broken whisper made Aekeira’s eyes water.

“I know, Em,” Aekeira’s hand clenched the fabric of her skirt. “I know.”

Being free was exhilarating, but at what cost? Freedom, it seemed, came with its own kind of pain.

Standing at the gates of Ravenshadow with Emeriel, they gazed back at the towering castle that had been their home and doom for nearly a year. Its magnificent pillars stretched high, almost reaching the sky. Aekeira noticed the glares from the Urekai people passing by, their hatred directed squarely at Emeriel. The strength of their disdain made her stomach churn. If not for the protective troop of soldiers surrounding them, Emeriel would surely have been attacked.

Moving toward the carriage, she asked Em, “Are you ready to go?”

Em didn’t respond immediately, her eyes lingering on the stone walls, tracing every corner as if to carve it into memory. Finally, she turned to Aekeira. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Just as they were about to step in, a voice called out, “Wait!”