The council verdict

Esteria awoke slowly, her mind drifting between dreams and reality as the events of the past days crept back into her thoughts. Her body felt heavy, as though weighed down by the gravity of everything that had happened. Memories surfaced—her transformation, the council's growing distrust, and the constant presence of El-Kharis. The once-human queen was now a demoness, with powers she barely understood and a world she had yet to fully comprehend. She was no longer who she used to be, and that realization stung.

As her senses sharpened, she became aware of the soft sound of breathing near her. Her eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was El-Kharis, his striking figure seated beside her, watching her intently. His eyes, those piercing blue eyes, bore into her soul, and she felt her heart skip a beat. He was so handsome, like a sculpture of the gods come to life. His presence was magnetic, drawing her in, making her feel things she couldn't explain.