Malrec’s scream split the courtyard as the Ash Crown fractured down its center.

  Crimson fire burst outward in violent spirals, throwing soldiers and debris across the burning palace grounds. The iron circlet dug deeper into his skull as if refusing to be discarded.

  “You belong to me!” Malrec roared at the towering demon.

  Kael’Zareth rose fully, wings blotting out the wounded sky.

  “I belong to nothing.”

  Stolen story; please report.

  With a violent surge, the demon snapped the infernal chains binding it. The backlash struck Malrec like a hammer of pure force. He staggered but did not fall.

  Kael Thorn moved.

  He ignored the demon.

  Ignored the chaos.

  He charged straight for Malrec.

  Blades flashed.

  Steel collided with the Crown’s energy barrier, sparks of black and red igniting at the point of impact.

  Malrec turned slowly, eyes blazing.

  “You would strike your king?”

  Kael’s voice was steady.

  “You were never my king.”

  Malrec thrust a hand outward. Tendrils of crimson energy pierced Kael’s side and shoulder, pinning him to broken stone.

  Pain exploded through him.

  But he did not cry out.

  Instead, with the last of his strength, he drove one blade upward—

  Straight into the fractured Ash Crown.

  For one heartbeat—

  Everything stopped.

  Then the Crown screamed.