Chapter 7

VICTORIA'S POV

I flinched and quickly turned toward the long stretch of burning coals in front of me. The heat was already unbearable, and my legs trembled as I stared at the glowing embers. With the black choker suppressing my wolf, I knew that any injuries I suffered would take much longer to heal.

"You have until the count of three to start walking," King Lennox announced coldly. "One."

My heart hammered against my chest as I hesitantly moved closer to the trench. My bare feet were already injured from being dragged through the Blood Moon Pack, and I couldn't imagine how I was supposed to walk across something so hot.

"Two."

I swallowed hard and slowly lifted one foot, holding it above the glowing coals. The heat against my skin made me instinctively pull back, but I knew refusing would only lead to my execution.

"Three!"

I forced my foot onto the burning coals.

"AHHH!"

A scream tore from my throat as terrible pain shot through my foot. I immediately tried to pull it away, but the King's warning echoed through my mind. If I stepped outside the trench before reaching the other end, I would be executed.

Gritting my teeth, I placed my other foot forward and continued walking. Every step felt as though my skin was being torn apart. Tears streamed down my face, and I struggled to breathe as the heat rose around my legs.

"Please!" I cried, looking desperately toward King Lennox. "Your Majesty, I can't do this!"

"Keep walking," he ordered coldly.

I shook my head, sobbing uncontrollably, but he showed no sign of changing his mind. The council members stood behind him, watching silently as I struggled across the burning coals.

I managed to take several more steps before the pain became unbearable. My knees buckled, and I nearly fell forward into the trench. I quickly stretched out my arms to regain my balance, but my injured legs could barely support my weight.

"Ahhh! Please!"

I desperately wanted to jump out, but the guards stationed along the courtyard were watching my every movement. I knew they would kill me the moment I stepped outside the trench.

My feet were burning, and I could barely feel my toes anymore. The black choker remained tight around my neck, preventing my wolf from healing any of my injuries.

I looked toward the end of the trench. It was still several feet away, and I couldn't imagine taking another step.

For a moment, I remained where I was, crying helplessly as I struggled to endure the pain.

Then Vanessa's face suddenly flashed through my mind.

I remembered the satisfaction in her eyes as she watched me being accused of murdering Queen Evelyn. I remembered Adrian standing beside her, doing absolutely nothing to defend me. If I died here, Vanessa would get everything she wanted. She would continue living happily with Adrian while everyone remembered me as the woman who murdered the Queen and her unborn child.

No! I couldn't let that happen. I hadn't killed Queen Evelyn, and I refused to die for a crime I didn't commit. I had already suffered so much because of Vanessa and Adrian, and there was no way I was going to let them win by dying here. I had to survive and find a way to prove my innocence, even if it meant enduring whatever King Lennox had planned for me.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to take another step.

"Ahhh!"

The pain was unbearable, but I continued moving. My entire body trembled, and every step sent another wave of agony through my legs. I could barely see through my tears, but I kept my eyes fixed on the end of the trench.

Just a little farther.

I took another step, then another, struggling desperately to remain standing. My breathing became heavier, and my vision began to blur as the pain overwhelmed me.

Finally, I reached the last stretch of burning coals.

I gathered the little strength I had left and forced myself forward, stumbling onto the stone pavement at the other end.

I had made it.

A broken sob escaped my lips as I collapsed onto my knees. I was alive. Somehow, despite everything, I had managed to walk across the burning coals.

But the relief lasted only a moment before the pain in my feet became unbearable. I fell onto my side, gasping for air as I struggled to move. My feet were badly burned, and my entire body ached so terribly that I could barely lift my head.

Then I heard footsteps approaching.

I weakly raised my head and saw King Lennox walking toward me, his white mourning clothes standing out against the darkness of the courtyard. He stopped directly in front of me and looked down at my injured body. His gaze shifted toward the burning trench before returning to my face.

For several seconds, he said nothing. Then he crouched and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"You just made a big mistake by surviving," he said coldly. "Soon, you'll wish you had died here tonight."

My lips trembled, but I couldn't speak. He released my chin and rose to his feet before turning to walk away.

"Your Majesty!"

An elderly councilman hurried forward, accompanied by two other members of the Royal Council.

"Surely you cannot be serious about keeping this woman!" he protested. "She murdered our Queen and her unborn child. She is not worthy of carrying your blood!"

King Lennox stopped walking.

"Your Majesty, please reconsider," another council member added. "There are countless noblewomen in the kingdom who would be honored to bear your heir. Why choose the very woman responsible for Her Majesty's death?"

Lennox slowly turned around.

"Are you finished?"

The council members immediately fell silent.

"I gave my word," he said coldly. "She survived. That is the end of this discussion."

"But, Your Majesty—"

"One more word, and you will join her in the dungeon."

The elderly councilman immediately lowered his head, and King Lennox turned toward the guards standing nearby.

"Take her away. Make sure she doesn't die. I have no use for a dead breeder."

He then looked down at me one last time, his cold eyes meeting mine.

"Welcome to your living hell, breeder."