Chapter 12
The council moved before Aurelia could.
By the time the sun reached its highest point, the palace had subtly shifted against her—doors guarded that had once stood open, servants replaced by unfamiliar faces, corridors suddenly "under maintenance." None of it was overt enough to protest. That was the council's skill. Pressure without fingerprints.
Aurelia felt it immediately.
She was being contained.
Her morning audience was canceled without explanation. Her scheduled walk through the eastern gardens was postponed "for her safety." Even her meals arrived sealed, tasted first by servants whose loyalty she did not recognize.
Kael noticed too.
"They're isolating you," he said quietly that afternoon, standing near the tall windows of her chamber. "Testing how much control they can exert without provoking me."
Aurelia folded her hands calmly. "And how much will you allow?"
His gaze flicked to her. "As little as possible."
"That won't be enough," she replied.
Kael's jaw tightened. "You're not a political pawn."
"No," Aurelia said. "I'm leverage. And they know it."
Silence fell between them.
"They invited him," she continued. "The arcanist. They didn't bring him to help you—they brought him to understand me."
Kael turned sharply. "He will not be allowed near you again."
Aurelia studied him. "Can you guarantee that?"
He didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
The summons arrived at dusk.
This time, it was formal.
Aurelia was to attend a closed council session, accompanied by the king.
No refusals permitted.
The council chamber was lit brighter than before, every sigil along the walls illuminated. Aurelia recognized the tactic immediately: light was meant to strip secrets bare.
Lord Saelreth stood near the far table when they entered.
He inclined his head respectfully, his expression unreadable.
Kael's presence radiated warning.
High Chancellor Varin wasted no time.
"We are here," he said, "to discuss an opportunity."
Aurelia's lips curved faintly. "That word rarely precedes mercy."
Varin ignored the remark. "The arcanist has confirmed what we suspected."
Kael's voice cut in. "You confirmed nothing."
Saelreth spoke calmly. "The curse is… responsive. Adaptive. It has altered its behavior."
Aurelia felt the familiar pressure—light, attentive.
Listening.
"And?" she asked.
"And it reacts to you differently," Saelreth said. "Not as a victim. Not as a threat."
"As what?" Aurelia asked.
Saelreth hesitated. "As an anomaly."
Kael stepped forward. "This discussion ends now."
Varin raised a hand. "On the contrary. This is precisely where it begins."
Aurelia's gaze hardened. "Say what you mean."
Varin leaned back. "We believe the queen's survival can be… replicated."
The word landed like a blade.
"No," Kael said instantly.
"Careful," Varin replied. "You rule this realm, Your Majesty. But the realm must endure."
Aurelia felt something cold settle in her stomach.
"You want to test me," she said softly.
Saelreth nodded. "Study you. Measure the curse's response under controlled conditions."
Kael's voice dropped to something lethal. "You will not experiment on my wife."
Varin's smile thinned. "Then you deny the realm its best chance at freedom from this curse?"
Aurelia exhaled slowly.
So this is their move.
She stepped forward before Kael could stop her.
"What would these 'conditions' involve?" she asked.
Kael turned sharply. "Aurelia."
She didn't look at him.
Saelreth spoke carefully. "Proximity. Intent. Emotional provocation."
Silence stretched.
"You want to provoke the curse," Aurelia said. "Using me."
"Yes," Saelreth admitted. "With safeguards."
Aurelia nearly laughed.
"There are no safeguards," she said. "Only delays."
Varin's gaze sharpened. "You are alive because of this curse's hesitation. We want to understand why."
Aurelia met his eyes without flinching. "And if I die?"
Varin answered calmly. "Then the realm learns."
Kael moved in front of her without thinking.
"This council is dismissed," he said. "Now."
Varin rose slowly. "You cannot shield her forever."
"No," Kael replied. "But I can burn this council to the ground if you try."
The air went still.
Aurelia felt the curse stir—alert, attentive, displeased.
Saelreth noticed.
"Fascinating," he murmured. "It reacts to your protection."
Kael's fists clenched.
Aurelia reached out—not to touch him, but close enough that he could feel her presence.
"Enough," she said quietly. "This ends now."
Everyone turned to her.
"You want answers," Aurelia continued. "Then listen carefully. I will not be tested. I will not be provoked. And I will not be sacrificed for your peace of mind."
Varin scoffed. "You forget your place."
"No," Aurelia said. "I'm defining it."
The pressure in the room spiked—sharp, unmistakable.
The curse responded.
Not violently.
Protectively.
The candles flickered, flames bending inward toward Aurelia as if drawn to her presence.
Saelreth inhaled sharply. "It's—"
Kael pulled Aurelia back instantly. "Enough!"
The pressure receded.
Silence crashed down.
Varin's face had gone pale.
"You see now," Aurelia said softly. "I am not your solution."
She looked directly at Saelreth.
"I am your boundary."
That night, Kael stood alone in the dark long after Aurelia had gone.
"They will not stop," he said quietly.
"I know," Aurelia replied from the doorway.
He turned. "You endangered yourself."
"Yes," she said. "So they'd understand the cost."
Kael stared at her, something fractured in his expression.
"You shouldn't have to be this brave," he said.
Aurelia met his gaze steadily. "Neither should you."
Outside the chamber, unseen and unheard, the curse lingered—no longer curious.
Now, it was choosing sides.