From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130

Caelan and I climbed the stone steps out of the dungeon. The harsh fluorescent lights below gave way to natural light that made me squint and blink rapidly.

We emerged onto the training grounds. The silence hit me first-an eerie, unnatural quiet that made my skin crawl. Where dozens of warriors had been sparring just hours ago, now there was nothing but empty space.

Just wind whistling and the distant rumble of storm clouds gathering overhead.

“Where is everyone?’ I asked quietly.

The answer came into view as we reached the center of the grounds. A sleek black military helicopter sat like a predatory insect on the packed earth. Its rotors moved slowly, creating a deep, rhythmic thrum.

Several soldiers stood at attention beside the aircraft. But what drew my horrified attention was the figure they held between them.

Blair.

They dragged her limp form toward the helicopter’s landing gear. Her once-golden hair hung in matted, blood-crusted tangles. Dirt and worse things caked her torn clothing. But when she lifted her head slightly, I caught a glimpse of her eyes.

Pure, undiluted hatred burned there like twin flames. Even broken and defeated, that malevolent fire hadn’t dimmed.

“What is that?” I pointed at the helicopter, unease crawling up my spine. “Why is there a helicopter here?”

Caelan’s expression shifted. The gentle man who’d held my hand just moments ago vanished, replaced by something cold and terrible. His jaw set in hard lines.

“This is the punishment ritual for traitors.”

“What kind of punishment requires a helicopter?”

But Caelan didn’t answer. His fingers tightened around mine.

Thunder rolled across the darkening sky above us. The storm was moving in fast, bringing with it an oppressive weight that made breathing difficult.

I watched in growing horror as the soldiers produced specialized silver chains. The metal gleamed with an unnatural sheen that made my wolf Esme whimper in sympathy,

They hoisted Blair’s arms high above her head, securing the chains to the helicopter’s landing gear. Her feet barely touched the ground, forcing her into a half-suspended position that put agonizing strain on her shoulders.

“These are silver chains, Caelan explained, his voice devoid of emotion. They suppress a werewolf’s healing abilities and strength.”

Blair let out a keening whimper that cut through the air like a blade. But even through her obvious pain, she managed to clench her jaw in defiance.

Caelan stepped forward, positioning himself directly in front of the suspended traitor. When he spoke, his voice carried across the training grounds with the absolute authority of a king addressing his subjects.

“Today, we execute punishment upon the traitor Blair Sterling. She has betrayed the Blackwood family. She has betrayed our trust. She has attempted to harm our future queen.”

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11:48 Fri, 22 Aug

Chapter 130

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The soldiers around us released low, threatening growls. Their loyalty to their king was absolute, their anger toward Blair palpable.

“For such crimes, according to our ancient traditions, she will suffer the ‘Sky Punishment before being permanently exiled to the northern wasteland.”

Sky Punishment? The words sent ice through my veins.

I stared at Caelan. His eyes held no warmth, no mercy.

“Caelan…” I whispered.

He didn’t seem to hear me.

The helicopter’s engine roared to life. The rotors spun faster, whipping Blair’s hair around her face as the aircraft began its slow

ascent.

“Now,” Caelan raised his arm, “let the Sky Punishment begin!”

Lightning split the sky above us in a brilliant fork of white fire.

Blair’s POV

The helicopter lifted off, and my body stretched like a torture victim on a rack. Every muscle screamed as the chains took my full weight. My shoulder joints felt ready to separate.

“Ahhhh! Caelan! You bastard! And Sable! I will curse you forever. I hate you! I hate all of you!”

The words tore from my throat in a raw scream that was immediately swallowed by the roar of engines and rotors.

Rain began falling in heavy drops. Each one struck my exposed skin like a tiny bullet. Within seconds, the drops became a torrential downpour that turned the world into a gray, watery hell.

Through the chaos, I saw Edward approaching with an umbrella. He handed it to Caelan, who immediately angled it to protect Sable from the downpour. Half of his own shoulder was getting soaked, but he didn’t seem to care.

Even now, even during my punishment, she’s all he thinks about.

The helicopter began its circuit around the training grounds. My body became a human pendulum, swinging wildly through the air as rain lashed my skin like whips.

I couldn’t see clearly anymore. Water streamed into my eyes, blinding me. But I could feel every obstacle as the pilot deliberately flew me through the obstacle course.

Stone barriers. Training equipment. Tree branches.

“Crash! My hip slammed into a wooden post with bone-jarring force. The impact sent shockwaves through my suspended body.

“Thud! My legs hit a low stone wall, the rough surface scraping away skin and fabric.

“You animals! You monsters! I screamed, but my voice was lost in the storm.

Lightning illuminated the hellish scene for split seconds-my body being dragged through the mud and debris, the faces of soldiers watching with grim satisfaction, Caelan standing motionless under his umbrella like a judge pronouncing sentence.

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11:48 Fri, 22 Aug PM.

Chapter 130

90%!

The rain had turned the training ground into a muddy swamp. Each time my body struck something solid, I was coated in more filth. Blood mixed with rainwater, creating pink streams that ran down my skin.

My right leg twisted at an unnatural angle after a particularly brutal collision with a granite training stone. The bone had definitely snapped. White-hot agony shot through my nervous system.

The helicopter descended lower, bringing me within range of the ground-based soldiers. As if choreographed, they raised long whips and began striking my suspended form with methodical precision.

“Crack!” The first lash caught me across the back.

“Crack!” The second struck my already-injured leg.

“Crack! Crack! Crack! More lashes fell like rain, each one expertly placed to cause maximum pain without killing me outright.

My skin split open under the assault. The silver chains prevented any healing, so every wound remained raw and bleeding. The rain washing into the cuts intensified the agony beyond anything I’d ever imagined.

My screams grew weaker, more ragged. Consciousness wavered at the edges of my vision.

The helicopter suddenly changed course, heading toward the lake at the edge of the property.

No. No, no, no…

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11:48 Fri, 22 Aug PM

From Substitute To Queen