Luna, however, was a vision of quiet triumph. She hadn’t flinched when Damien struck, hadn’t gasped or turned away from the violence. No, her gaze was locked on her husband with fierce pride burning in her eyes. Her lips curled into the faintest, smuggest smile, as though the entire chamber bore witness to what she already knew—that Damien was hers, body and soul, and that anyone who threatened her or their child would be annihilated without hesitation. She sat straighter in her chair, crossing her legs, radiating unshakable strength. Her heart swelled with love and vindication, and though her pulse raced at the savagery she had just witnessed, it was not with fear. It was with desire and pride.
Still clutching Gabriel’s head, Damien turned slowly toward the counciln. His eyes were molten fire, the predator fully unleashed. No one dared move. They had once held themselves with arrogance, now they cowered under his gaze. They had the audacity to think themselves kingmakers, to pass judgnts and deliver death sentences.
"You," Damien’s voice thundered. "You took this man’s word..." He lifted the head higher, letting Gabriel’s lifeless eyes stare blankly at them all. "...and sentenced my son to death without giving him a chance. Without giving your heir—your rightful heir—a chance to fight for his life."
The counciln shifted uncomfortably.
"You sentenced an unborn child," Damien continued, his hand tightening until Gabriel’s head cracked under the pressure, "to death. Pressured...manipulated...by the lies of a maniac. And you dared to call it justice."
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He let the words hang, the fury in his presence suffocating them.
"Now," Damien said. "I will give you what you never gave my son...a chance." His eyes swept over each face, burning into them, promising no escape. "Every single one of you will be judged. Investigated. Stripped bare of your secrets. And anyone found guilty of colluding with him will not only be removed from this council, but torn from every title, every coin, every speck of honor your na ever carried. Your wealth will be ashes. Your legacies—obliterated."
With that, Damien released the head. It hit the floor with a sickening thud before rolling to rest at the feet of the council, staring blankly up at them as though even in death Gabriel was mocking them.
No one moved. No one breathed.
Lord Richard stepped forward, his face still pale from Damien’s brutal display monts before. "Your Highness, this is the wrongest ti, and I beg your forgiveness for even bringing it up now... but protocol requires we assess the heir for his thirst level. And... there is also the matter of Morvakar." He cast a nervous glance at the sorcerer. "He was officially banished by Lord Lucivar when he sat this throne. What are your plans?"
The throne room seed to hold its breath. Damien straightened. His eyes burned with fatigue. "Morvakar’s banishnt is lifted. He saved my son. As for the heir—" his gaze flicked toward the small bundle in Lucivar’s arms "—you may carry out whatever assessnt you deem necessary, but Doctor Thessa will be present at every stage. She has earned that right."
Luna rose gracefully from her seat, her dress whispering across the floor as she descended the small steps. Her eyes never left his. "It’s over," she said softly.
Damien moved toward her, their steps colliding in the center of the throne room. He reached for her as if nothing else in the room existed. "It’s over."
"You did it." Her eyes shimred, her fingers brushing against his cheek as though morizing him anew.
He shook his head faintly, his forehead touching hers. "We did it," he whispered. Then, with a hunger born of triumph, he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her. The counciln began to scatter awkwardly, so bowing low, others averting their gazes, shuffling toward the exits. But Damien didn’t care. For once, the throne room belonged to him and his queen alone. He pulled her closer, drinking her in.
Lucivar cleared his throat loudly. He was still holding the child, rocking the tiny bundle absentmindedly. "Lovebirds?" he drawled.
Damien reluctantly tore his lips from Luna’s, his hands still pressed against her waist. He gave Lucivar a glare that lacked heat. "You’ve grown irritating with age."
"Age," Lucivar chuckled, "and wisdom. And right now, wisdom says you should take advantage of a quiet night with your queen before the entire world cos knocking again. I will take the child and Doctor Thessa with to my castle. Give you two so ti to... catch up."
Damien’s eyes flickered to the child—his heir, his miracle, his redemption—and then back to Lucivar. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to trust. "You’ll tell Eryk to assigne the heir guards."
Lucivar’s lips twitched. "I was already planning on it, but thank you for the reminder, boy." Then he turned to the man still frozen like a statue, Morvakar. "As for you...You and I need to talk. You’ll stay with as well until you get your feet back under you. We have... years to cover, don’t we?"
Morvakar blinked as if waking from a trance, still wrestling with the revelation Gabriel had spat before his death.
Luna walked up to Morvakar then. "You know Gabriel was talking nonsense, right?" she said gently. "Are you going to let it bother you?"
Morvakar’s lips curved into a humorless half-smile. "I’ll be fine, Your Majesty," he replied. His gaze flicked over her shoulder toward Damien, who was already prowling back to her side. "And please..." he added, lifting a brow and letting the corner of his mouth quirk with playfulness, "...be careful with him." He gestured toward Damien. "We just recovered from one pregnancy. Don’t let him knock you up again."
Luna couldn’t help it—her laugh spilled out. She shook her head at Morvakar, then turned to Lucivar who was rocking her baby. She leaned in, brushing her lips across her infant’s cheek. "His first day in Blood City," she murmured, "and he already attends a grueso council eting. Welco to your legacy, little one." The baby gurgled and Luna let out a soft sigh of relief. At least, she thought, it was finally over—if only for tonight.
(Still on the look out for pizzas and inspiration capsules. Even though Gabriel is defeated, I told you. the biggest and final villain is yet to reveal himself and no, its not Williams though his story is not over yet.)
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