CHAPTER 86: THE DAUGHTER BENEATH THE EIGHTH THRONE
"Mother, don't let Father kill me again."
For one terrible moment, nobody moved.
The little girl stood between Aliena and Sebastian, her tiny fingers wrapped around the hem of her white dress. Her golden curls framed her face, and the crooked silver crown on her head looked far too heavy for a child so small.
Her red eyes were fixed on Sebastian.
Not frightened.
Disappointed.
As though she had waited an eternity for him to return, only to discover that he had forgotten her again.
Aliena felt something twist painfully inside her chest.
She had never seen this child before.
And yet, the moment the girl called her Mother, something ancient inside Aliena answered.
A longing.
A grief so deep that it felt as though someone had reached into her soul and torn out a piece she had never known was missing.
Aliena took a hesitant step forward.
"Sweetheart…"
The little girl flinched.
Aliena stopped.
