Chapter 7 - The Blood Oath
Kaelen’s body arched violently against the muddy ground as the black liquid poured from his mouth.
The horrifying substance seemed alive, crawling across his skin like a web of dark, poisonous veins.
The Queen’s paralyzing spell over Elara instantly broke as the older woman rushed to her son's side in a panic.
Elara gasped for air, her muscles burning as she collapsed onto her hands and knees.
"The King must have poisoned him during their brief encounter in the secret chamber," the Queen muttered frantically.
She pressed her glowing hands to Kaelen's chest, desperately trying to use her healing magic.
But the dark veins aggressively pushed her golden light away, burning the Queen's fingers and forcing her to recoil.
"My magic cannot purge a demonic infection of this magnitude," the Queen sobbed, her cold exterior entirely shattered.
She turned to Elara, her eyes wide with a desperate, pathetic kind of begging.
"Only your celestial blood can purify him now, Elara."
Elara looked at the glass dagger still clutched tightly in her trembling hand.
"If I give him my blood, will I die?" Elara asked, her voice surprisingly steady despite the horrific situation.
"You must slice your palm and make him drink it," the Queen explained rapidly.
"It will not kill you, but it will bind your souls together in a Blood Oath for all eternity."
Elara looked down at the prince who had risked everything, and betrayed his own father, to keep her alive.
She did not hesitate.
She dragged the jagged glass dagger across her palm, wincing as the glowing silver blood immediately welled up.
She crawled over to Kaelen, forced his jaw open, and let the glowing metallic drops fall into his mouth.
The moment the silver liquid touched his tongue, a blinding shockwave of pure energy erupted from his body.
The dark veins on his skin hissed and evaporated into thin air like steam.
Kaelen gasped loudly, his eyes snapping open, but his irises had permanently changed from brown to a striking, glowing silver.
He sat up, looking at his hands, feeling the incredible surge of new celestial power coursing through his veins.
"It worked," Kaelen whispered in awe, looking at Elara with overwhelming gratitude.
Before they could celebrate, the Queen suddenly snatched the glass dagger from the ground.
She quickly plunged the blade into Kaelen's freshly healed chest, pinning him to the muddy earth.
Elara screamed in horror as Kaelen gasped in agony, the silver blood mixing with the dark dirt.
"You fools," the Queen laughed, her voice now distorted and layered with a demonic echo.
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"I am not the Queen," the monstrous voice snarled, as her flesh began to melt away like hot wax.
"The King sent me to fetch the celestial blood, and you just handed it over wrapped in a perfect, royal vessel."
