"Morvakar, you were once a man of honor. Please, lift this absurd curse. You gave my wife… us an heir. I thank you, but at least let her live long enough to claim the throne."
"I did nothing to your princess. I only used ancient magic to make your wife fertile," Morvakar said, reclining. He steepled his fingers and raised one arrogant eyebrow. "I granted her request. But what you lesser beings don't seem to grasp is that the world needs balance. For a life given, a life must be taken. It is the law of nature. Even I am not powerful enough to upset that balance."
Magnus felt a bitter taste rise in his throat. "So in giving us a child, a life must be lost," he said slowly, the weight of the truth settling on him.
Morvakar smirked. "Now you are getting it."
"Then take mine," Magnus said. He stood tall but inside he was already crumbling. "Let her live."
"Your daughter was never meant to die," he said softly, almost kindly. It was unsettling.
