NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: The Thorn Queen’s Vow
🌒 Scene 1: Ascending to Floor Two
Inside the Tower of Forgotten Wives, the air grew colder with every level.
The first floor — Irielle's domain — had been a realm of sorrow and clarity.
The second… was different.
There were no glowing flowers or peaceful fog. Instead, floor two was a twisting forest of dead thorns, hung with crimson silk and skeletal trees. The air was thick with venomous mist. Every shadow whispered.
[Caution: Bonded Wife #9 is in "Hostile-Independent" State]
[Name: Thalara — The Thorn Queen]
[Former Bond: Severed. Trust Level: -62%]
"Negative trust?" Mira blinked. "She hates you more than average exes."
Jemil didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the twisting spire at the heart of the forest — and the figure seated atop it.
A throne of bones. A crown of spiders.
And her eyes…
Blazing green, filled with fury.
"You've grown bold, summoner," Thalara purred.
"But not brave."
🕷️ Scene 2: The Thorn Queen Appears
Thalara descended from her throne like a shadow woven from silk. Her body was laced in black armor and red thorns. Vines coiled around her arms, pulsing with poison. Her beauty was deadly — regal, cruel, tragic.
"You come to reclaim what you cast away?"
"Then bleed for it."
Before Jemil could speak, the ground erupted.
A swarm of thorn-beasts — half-wolves, half-spiders — rushed forward, screeching. Jemil raised a shield of void, barely blocking them.
[WARNING: This trial will not involve trust — it must be EARNED through survival]
Kaelira muttered, "Did anyone else feel that spike of trauma energy? Just me?"
Flare snarled. "Let's buy him time. Full power, no holding back."
Vel'Zara grinned and vanished into shadow, taking half the swarm with her.
⚔️ Scene 3: Duel in the Thorns
Jemil stepped forward, alone.
"I didn't abandon you, Thalara. I forgot all of you. I've already told the others—"
"You never told me," she hissed.
Thorn whips snapped toward him — Jemil rolled, summoned a blade of fused void and flame.
She struck again, this time faster. Vines burst from the ground, wrapping his limbs.
"You made a vow," she said through gritted teeth. "You said I would be the last wife. That you'd never need another."
"Then came Flare. And Kaelira. And seven more!"
Jemil growled, "I didn't choose this fate. The system shattered and broke our bond."
"Lies," she spat. "You outgrew me. Like a dead leaf."
The vines tightened.
Jemil dropped his sword. Raised his hands.
And didn't fight.
"Then punish me," he said. "If hurting me helps you heal… do it."
Thalara paused.
The forest fell silent.
Even the vines froze.
💔 Scene 4: The Truth She Hid
"You always knew," Thalara whispered.
"Knew what?"
"That I hated being your anchor," she said, voice trembling. "That I didn't want to be the Queen of Vines. I wanted to be Thalara, not some support-class wife. But I never told you, because…"
Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
"Because I thought if I changed… you'd stop needing me."
Jemil stepped forward slowly.
"I didn't need your power," he said softly. "I needed you. The fire, the bite, the brutal honesty. I never once looked at you as lesser."
Her expression cracked.
"You liar."
"I'd say it again a thousand times."
🌱 Scene 5: The Bond Rekindles
The vines unwrapped.
Thalara fell to her knees.
"You make everything more complicated than it should be," she muttered, wiping her eyes.
"That's kind of my thing," Jemil said, smiling faintly.
He held out a hand.
[Bond Restoration Sequence — Initiating]
[Trust Level Recalibrated: +10% → +67%]
[Wife #9 Restored: Thalara, Thorn Queen]
[Skill Unlocked: Bloodroot Dominion]
Thalara took his hand.
Then yanked him forward, pressing her forehead to his.
"No more wives. I swear, Jemil, if you summon a mermaid ninja princess next, I will stab you with your own rib."
Flare from the background: "I'd read that story."
Mira: "Same."
Jemil: "…no comment."
💬 Scene 6: After the Trial
Back in the Homeworld, Thalara stood on the balcony overlooking the stars.
Vel'Zara approached.
"You really tried to kill him?"
Thalara scoffed. "A little murder never hurt anyone."
She turned, eyes softer now. "But maybe… maybe there's still something left in me to protect."
Jemil watched from a distance.
"She's coming back around," Nyxalithe said beside him.
"Yeah," Jemil said quietly. "One at a time."
💬 End of Chapter 25
📌 Call to Action:
🌹 Was Thalara's story satisfying?
💬 What kind of forgotten wife do you want to meet next: a healer, a chaos goddess, or… someone who turned evil?
❤️ Drop a power stone to keep Jemil's journey alive!