When Love Turns to Ash Novel – Chapter 8
“Many of you know me as Silas,” the Guardian’s voice resonated, no longer human, but like the rustling of ancient leaves and the rumble of distant thunder. “A simple man. Seraphina Vance’s husband.”
The crowd, still on their knees, stared—mesmerized, terrified. Whispers rippled through them.
“The nature spirit from the old tales…”
“Vance married a what?”
“What has she done?”
Seraphina stood frozen, her face ashen. The regal composure was gone, replaced by dawning horror.
“Seraphina,” the Guardian said, his glowing eyes fixed on her. “You know who I am. You knew what I sacrificed.”
He raised his free hand, and a scroll of parchment, glowing with the same ethereal light as the staff, materialized within it.
“This is a Decree of Severance,” the Guardian announced, his voice echoing through the silent hall. “A severing of all bonds between us. For your abandonment. For your deceit. For your cruelty.”
He began to speak, his voice calm but carrying undeniable authority, recounting the tale for all to hear.
“She sought me out in my wilderness. She pledged her love, her life. For her, I surrendered my power, my immortality, to walk as a mortal man by her side.”
Murmurs of shock spread through the gathered guests.
“She tired of that simple life. She craved the power of her Order more than the love of her family. She welcomed a viper into our home—Julian Thorne.”
He gestured with the staff toward the spluttering, terrified Julian.
“She allowed him to poison her mind against me, against our daughter, Willow.”
His voice softened fractionally as he looked down at the child in his arms.
“She stood by while he plotted our demise. She believed his lies over the evidence of her own eyes, her own heart.”
The Guardian’s voice hardened again.
“She used the powers of her Order, not to protect, but to harm. She struck me down, a mortal man. She imprisoned us. She starved us.”
A collective gasp went through the crowd.
“And then,” his voice dropped, filled with a terrible sorrow and rage, “she committed an act of unspeakable cruelty against her own child.”
He gently touched the bandages over Willow’s eyes.
“This, she did to our daughter.”
The condemnation in the hall was palpable. The elite of the Order, usually so concerned with appearances and alliances, looked at Seraphina with expressions of disgust, disbelief, and fear.
Seraphina opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Julian, trying to regain some footing, shouted, “Lies! All lies! He’s a monster, bewitching you all!”
But his voice was thin, unconvincing. The sheer evidence—the Guardian’s radiance, the trembling magic in the air, and most of all, Willow’s wounded state—spoke louder than any denial.
The Decree of Severance in the Guardian’s hand glowed brighter.
The public denunciation was complete.
Her world was crumbling.