Chapter 16 Women Need To Stick Together
I’ve been threatened before, it didn’t end well.
#Finished
My husband holds a jagged bottle neck at my throat, threatening to kill me. Emogen is eerily calm inside me, knowing she could snap his neck at a moment’s notice. After three long years of making Emogen withstand this madness, would I hold her back now?
The room is silent, everyone frozen in place.
Everett recovers first, rushing to Elian’s side. “Son, please,” she says, placing a hand on his arm. “We need Seraphine. This the way.”
Elian shakes her off. “Need her? For what? Her stupid money?” He laughs bitterly. “I hate her. I’ve always hated her.”
s isn’t
“I don’t care,” I say, surprised at how steady my voice sounds. “I’ve never needed your love, Elian. This has always been a courtesy, a promise I made to my mother. Now she’s dead, and woe to anyone who stands between me and my revenge. I will reclaim my throne Elian, I’ll become better than I ever was. If you keep planting these petty threats, you won’t like how it Jends for you.”
His face twists. “You think you can simply walk away with everything that should rightfully belong to me? That wealth should have been mine the moment we wed!”
He lunges forward, trying to stab my neck with the broken bottle. Instead, Emogen awakes inside me. I move at the speed of lightning, escaping his attempt in the nick of time
Before anyone can blink, Ive grabbed his wrist, twisted it until the bottle falls. I knock his feet, making him lose balance as he falls flat on the floor, almost breaking his jaw. He screams in pain.
“Get off me!”
“So weak! Tell me, Elian, how can you call yourself a war hero yet be so pathetic?”
I pin one arm behind his back, my knee pressing into his spine.
“Release me this instant!” Elian screams, struggling beneath me. “Get your hands off me!”
Everett wails dramatically, hand on her chest. “For the love of the moon, stop this violence! My heart cannot take it!”
I lean down, my lips close to Elian’s ear. “Remember this feeling of helplessness the next time you consider raising a hand against me. Because next time, I won’t fight so hard to keep Emogen from tearing you apart.”
I release him and stand up, brushing non–existent dust from my clothes. Elian struggles to his feet, wincing as he grabs his
“You wicked woman” he shouts, staggering backward. “You won’t give me what’s rightfully mine!”
I laugh.
“Nothing of mine belongs to you!” I growl, eyes flickering a different color. “The divorce papers will arrive any moment now. If you know what’s best for you, you’ll sign them.”
Without another glance, I walk out of the dining room and toward the front door.
“And if I don’t?” Elian mumbles under his breath like a child.
I pause, and smile wickedly. “Then I’ll take you for everything you’re worth. I’ll demand a refund of every coin I’ve spent on this house for the last three years. If you’re smart as you pretend to be, you’ll understand that that mere amount more than triples your battle stipends.”
Turn to walk out.
“Seraphine, wait!” Celeste calls after me. “Please come back! We can discuss this like a fan
4:06 PM c
Chapter 16 Women Need To Stick Together
I step outside, breathing in the evening air. I need to clear my head to think. My feet carry me into town away from the chaos of the house. As I wander, I notice a woman selling papers at a small stand. A headline on one of the placards catches
my eye.
“What’s this?” I ask, picking up the paper.
The woman looks up, recognizing me immediately. “Lady Seraphine! The Red Phantom herself”
I nod, still reading the announcement
“Forgive my boldness,” the woman says, hesitating briefly, “but my heart aches to know why someone of your strength chose to surrender your freedom for a man and family that treats you with such contempt
I look up, startled by her directness
“My daughter–she’s seven now–she idolizes you, the woman continues. “Wants to be you when she grows up. But since you married and stepped away from battle, since you allowed your husband’s family to treat you so poorly these past years… Wel she keeps asking why you’ve given your power away Why you’re not a hero anymore.”
Her words strike deeper. I never considered how my choices might ripple beyond my own life.
“Lady Seraphine. look around.” I pause, looking up from my paper. She seems serious. I listen, turning to find women going about their business. Each has stopped momentarily to stare at me. That same look they all had for the last three years. We women need to stick together. Before you, no one would have ever thought a woman could succeed at being anything bur baby maker and a housekeeper. Before you, the women that dare to dream were treated with contempt You, a mighty beta s daughter, became the mout fierce and feared battle warrior in the kingdom. You gave our daughters something to look up to. Please, don’t make the same mistake we did. Do not let your marriage define who you are.”
For a moment. it feels like I just became a piece of clay on the potter’s table, being molded. Her words sink so deep inside me. that this moment feels revolutionally. Each woman smiles at me, silently. They then resumed to their business like nothing happened.
Was this planned
“Take the paper, she says, gesturing at the paper in my hands. “No payment necessary. Your family’s blood has paid enough
look down at the headline again: “DRAVEN FAMILY SET TO ASCEND TO BETA THRONE TOMORROW NIGHT. “This cannot be!” I exclaim. There’s no time for the king to receive my declaration of intent to reclaim my birthright”
The woman’s eyes widened. “You want to take back your family’s throne! Thank the moon! The Red Phantom returns!” She pauses, studying my face. “But Lady Seraphine, without your formal declaration reaching the Alpha King before tomorrow’s ceremony, the beta crown will rest on the Draven’s forever.”
Reality crashes down on me. The timing couldn’t be worse. If I didn’t hurry with the divorce and then travel to the Alpha King’s palace, the Dravens would claim what is rightfully mine. The journey would take a full day, and the ceremony was
tomorrow right
In the distance. I spot a carriage arriving at the house. My divorce papers. I watch as Elian steps outside to receive them. looking all annoyed. He’s still holding his shoulder from where I’d twisted it
I have no time to waste. I must finish this business with Elian tonight and then head straight to the king’s palace. There’s not moment to spare.
Whatever happens tonight, I must get Elan to sign those divorce papers.
