Chapter 71 - The Witches of Valtheon

Veloria's boots stomped on the damp forest floor, her heart hammering in her ears with every stride. Despite the branches slashing at her face and arms, she ran faster than she had ever run before, breathing heavily, but she didn't care. The palace lights behind her dimmed till the thick trees engulfed them. She was afraid to slow down. She could still hear the blade cutting into her sister's neck with a harsh, metallic swish. Despite her best efforts to ignore it, the scenario kept playing in her mind. Her sister's mouth opened as though to speak but was never given the opportunity, and her eyes were wide with disbelief. The recollection burned hotter than Veloria's legs from sprinting. She tightened her jaw and forced herself to keep walking, away from the courtyard covered in blood and away from the betrayal that had permanently ruined her family. She fell to the ground, knees sinking into the earth, when her foot suddenly snagged on a root. Her lungs seized in protest, and sh