The decree still echoed in her skull, hammering with every heartbeat.

The Rite of Purity is decreed.

Elaria had heard countless judgments in that chamber—laws twisted, punishments weighed, edicts pronounced in voices that dripped with authority. But this… this had been different. This had not been politics, nor governance, nor law. This had been a death sentence dressed as ritual.

The corridors of Kaelith Keep swallowed her and Draven whole as they left the council chamber behind. The ...