The next morning, Elara awoke to silence—no sirens, no messages, no trembling magic. For once, she almost believed in peace.
Until the knock came.
Three slow raps at her apartment door.
She grabbed her blade—now sheathed and hidden interior a graceful violin case—and approached carefully. A girl stood inside the hallway, tall and statuesque, with eyes like burning rubies and skin that shimmered like obsidian marble.
"Elara Monroe," the woman said. "I come bearing a message from the Abyss."
Elara tensed. "Who are you?"
"My name is Vessara. I serve the Sealed Courts—rivals to your demon prince."
"She's not taking visitors," came Nathan's voice as he appeared at Elara's side, frowning.
Vessara's lips curled. "And yet here I am."
She held out a folded parchment. The seal was dark crimson, wax imprinted with a six-pointed flame.
Elara accepted it carefully.
To the Bride of the Moonbound Lord,The Courts recognize your union and consider it a violation of balance. You have one lunar cycle to renounce your bond… or face severance by force.—The Abyssal Accord
Vessara inclined her head. "I hope you'll make the right choice. Death is… inconvenient."
She vanished in a whirl of smoke and violet ash.
Elara stood frozen, the letter trembling in her hand.
"Looks like your honeymoon's officially over," Nathan muttered.
"No," Elara whispered. "It's only just begun."