章 183: The Queen's Army

"My Queen, please," Alim urged, his voice low and steady as he lightly shook Lorelai by the shoulders, desperate to anchor her spiraling thoughts. His golden eyes searched hers, concern etched into every line of his face. "What happened? Are you in pain?"

Lorelai shook her head sharply, swallowing hard to soothe her dry throat. 

Her voice broke through the tension, trembling. "I remembered everything!" she exclaimed, clutching Alim's vest tighter, as if the act alone could ground her. "I know what Althea has done—to me and to others! She cannot die! He cannot kill her!"

Alim's brows shot upward, his confusion stark and unguarded. "What do you mean? If you've broken her spells, doesn't that mean she can no longer control you?"

His gaze darted to Naveen, silently pleading for answers. The witch, equally troubled, stepped closer to Lorelai, her features drawn tight with concern. "What happened, Lorelai? What did Althea do?"