The Curse of the Forbidden Magic, the black markings that snaked across the skin like twisted veins, were the inevitable price of tapping into the extremes.
Oren and Ingrid had both faced it, and the markings appeared the moment one dared to reach for that power.
Ingrid bore hers days before Damon married her, for she had already sealed her womb after swearing she would never give him a child.
But in the end, she was the one suffering. Wasn't she?
A bitter chuckle escaped her. If misfortune had a face, surely it would be hers.
After dressing and taking one last look at her reflection in the mirror, satisfied with the result, she stepped out. She wondered how Euphemia would react.
Walking down the hallways, she caught the astonished expressions on the servants' faces as they bowed. She pressed her lips together.
Quite expected.
As she neared the palace courtyard, certain that was where everyone would be, her assigned maid who saw her, rushed toward her.
"Your Majesty!"
Ingrid turned, lifting a brow. "Hm?"
"Forgive my intrusion, My Lady. If I'm correct, you came here thinking His Majesty is there, but he isn't."
Ingrid's eyes narrowed. "And my co-wives?"
"They have retreated to their chambers, Your Majesty."
Ingrid nodded slowly, a hint of disappointment curling in her chest.
"And do you know where the King went?"
"The Emperor, His Majesty, headed to the dungeon to visit his prisoner." Lena bowed deeper, recalling what she had overheard him tell his chamberlain.
Ingrid blinked. Right. His title now was Emperor.
She drew a long breath. "Thank you, Lena."
"It is a pleasure to serve you, My Queen."
"You may go."
As the maid walked away, Ingrid allowed her gaze to roam the hallways.
The servants were unusually busy. She wondered if some event was being prepared. Her lips twitched.
If he wasn't around, she should simply return to her room. Yet something tugged at her, an urgent pull toward the dungeon.
She turned back.
She knew the Emperor had imprisoned his fourth wife, the one from the Magic Kingdom. Quite clever of him to infiltrate a kingdom under the guise of marriage. Ingrid had never seen this wife, since the wedding took place in Trontine.
It would be interesting to see this girl. Especially since she was now a victim that had fallen into Damon's trap…. just like she had.
So she headed toward the dungeon, slipping through the corridors and neatly avoiding the guards' eyes, in case they tried to bar her path.
Ingrid descended the stone steps, each one colder than the last, the air thickening with the metallic smell of damp chains and blood. The lit torches flickered along the walls with their flames weak, as though even fire feared the depths of this place. It looked so ominous, as expected.
She neared the final turn and halted. She could hear footsteps, very heavy and familiar footsteps.
It was her husband, Damon.
Ingrid slipped behind a wide pillar, with her breath held tight in her chest. His shadow stretched across the corridor before he appeared. His expression was carved from fury, his jaw clenched and his blue eyes blazing with anger he hadn't managed to shake off.
He walked past her hiding place without noticing, his cape trailing behind him on the surface. Only when his footsteps faded did Ingrid step out and her pulse settled.
But the guards of the cell. How would she evade them? Well, she was the Queen. They wouldn't question her as much.
She moved quickly. And then she met the guards sitting at a corner, laughing at whatever. They immediately stiffened when their eyes met the Queen's.
"Hello, great men of Askye," She hailed them with a glint in her eyes.
They all beamed. "The fairest Queen Askye was blessed with. May You Live Forever."
That would be impossible though, Ingrid thought but still nodded her head.
"If we may ask, what has moved the Queen to grace her glorious presence in such a bleak place? We heard of your illness, My Queen. May the Almighty perfect your healing." They bowed.
Nyssa blinked. She was pretty sure he had perfected her death.
"I asked the Emperor to come see the prisoner and he agreed, so I'm here."
The guards exchanged glances and Ingrid raised a brow.
"You think I would make this up? Why don't I go meet the Emperor to report that you didn't allow me in?"
"I'm s-sorry, Your Majesty. Pardon our ignorance. Of course, you can see the prisoner."
She inwardly smirked. "Good, lead the way."
One of the guards nodded and led her to Nyssa's cell.
The passage narrowed as they got closer to the cell and the air turned stuffy. The single torch at the far end barely illuminated the cell, leaving most of the room submerged in darkness.
She paused. Then, turned to the guard with a smile. He bowed and walked away.
Looking back to the cell, her eyes went to the lock and her finger traced it. She then inserted her pinky finger into it and seemed to be thinking about something.
And then, she squinted her eyes, to see a figure lying on the floor.
"Hello?" Ingrid's voice slipped out soft and careful. She heard chains rattle and a small gasp followed.
Nyssa's silhouette shifted, her wide eyes catching the weak light. Astonishment flickered over her face. That was a feminine voice. And as far as she knew, there were no female guards in Askye.
"Who are you?" Nyssa whispered, the tremor in her voice betraying both fear and disbelief.
Ingrid inhaled deeply, straightening her posture despite the cold, the damp, and the weight of her own curse pressing against her ribs. She softly coughed.
"I'm the first Queen of Askye."
Nyssa's heart plummeted.
The Queen? Did she come here to taunt her too? But…there was something about her that seemed kind and caring. Nyssa should obviously be the last person to trust someone based on outward features or mannerism. The last time her family did that, they were sent to their ancestors.
"The first Queen? W…what are you doing here?"
Ingrid pursed her lips. "To visit my fellow prisoner."