Liam clutched the black crystal in his hand like it was burning into his skin.
His jaw clenched, shadowlight veining up his arms.
The Shadow Heir leaned forward, his voice soft, snake-sweet."Go ahead. Break it. Let it in."
The Queen burst into the chamber, eyes wide, cloak flying behind her."Liam, don't—"
Too late.
The crystal shattered in his palm.
A blast of dark mist coiled around his body, flooding into his eyes like ink drowning light.
He gasped—then fell to his knees.
His pupils dilated.
And then… he looked at her.
Like he had before.
But wrong.
The Queen's heart dropped.
Because that wasn't her Liam.
It was the version of him the Shadow Heir wanted.
Darker.Colder.Still loving her—but through a lens of bitterness and betrayal.
She could see it—like a storm cloud trapped behind his stare.
He remembered—but the memories were twisted. Distorted.
All the sacrifices she made?Now painted as manipulation.All the love they shared?Now weaponized as betrayal.
