The door to Seraphina's workshop closed behind them with a soft click. For several seconds, neither woman spoke.
The workshop was exactly as Seraphina had left it. Spools of thread sat in neat rows along the shelves. Half-finished pieces of fabric lay folded across the worktable, their colours muted beneath the faint glow of the enchanted lamps. The familiar scent of dried flowers and herbs lingered in the air.
Seraphina walked past the table without looking at any of it. Her footsteps were quick at first, then slowed. Ariella followed behind her. Neither mentioned what had happened in Elysia's tent. There was no need.
Seraphina stopped beside the worktable and placed both hands against its edge. For a moment, she simply stood there. Then she turned. "Why are you siding with Elysia?"
Ariella met her gaze. She remained seated across from her, calm despite the accusation in Seraphina's voice. "Because I believe what she is trying to do is right."
Seraphina gave a short, bitter laugh. "Of course you do."
"This has nothing to do with her being an Astorian princess."
"I know that."
"Do you?"
Seraphina's jaw tightened.
Ariella leaned back slightly. "You think I'm protecting her because she's a princess. I'm not. I'm protecting the balance of nature."
"That sounds convenient."
"It isn't."
"Then explain it to me."
Ariella studied her for a moment before answering. "Elysia is trying to save the King of Monsters."
Seraphina stared at her. "Save him?"
"Yes."
Seraphina's brow furrowed. "She wants to save a monster?"
"She wants to prevent Alexander from killing him," Ariella explained, her voice steady.
Seraphina's expression hardened. She folded her arms across her chest, the bitterness returning to her eyes. "And you think that's enough reason to trust her?"
Ariella shook her head. "No. I think that's enough reason not to attack her."
The answer caught Seraphina off guard.
For a moment, she simply stared at Ariella, as though she hadn't expected such a blunt response.
Ariella let the silence settle before continuing. "You don't have to trust Elysia, Seraphina. But there's a difference between not trusting someone and deciding they're your enemy."
"You already know what Alexander intends to do. He believes the King of Monsters will give him the power he wants. If he succeeds, the balance between humans and magical creatures will be disturbed."
"You're assuming Elysia is telling the truth."
"So are you."
Seraphina frowned.
"You're assuming she's lying because it suits what you believe," Ariella said. "I'm choosing to look at what she's actually doing."
"She deceived Alexander."
"Yes." Ariella remained by the worktable, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of a folded piece of fabric.
"She led him away from the King of Monsters."
"Yes."
"She knew where he was." Seraphina's voice sharpened with each question.
Ariella finally looked up. "Yes."
Seraphina stared at her, frustration flickering across her face. "And somehow, all of that doesn't make you suspicious?"
"It makes me curious." Ariella's answer came without hesitation.
Seraphina shook her head. "You're impossible."
Ariella smiled faintly. "I've been told."
For a moment, neither woman spoke. Then Seraphina's voice became quieter. "And what about us?"
Ariella's smile disappeared."
Alexander betrayed both of us." The bitterness in Seraphina's voice was no longer hidden. "He played with both our feelings. He made promises to me while pursuing you. Then he went after Elysia."
Ariella's expression softened. "I know."
Seraphina looked away, her jaw tightening as she fought to keep her voice steady. "Then why shouldn't I blame her?"
"Because she didn't betray you." Ariella's voice remained gentle, but there was no hesitation in her answer.
Seraphina's gaze dropped to the fabric spread across the worktable. Her fingers curled against the edge.
"She wasn't the one who made you promises," Ariella continued. "Alexander was."
Seraphina turned back to her, the hurt in her eyes quickly hardening into anger. "That doesn't make her innocent."
"No," Ariella agreed. "But neither does it make her guilty."
Seraphina fell silent. The words seemed to weigh on her more than she wanted to admit.
Ariella watched her carefully. "If you want revenge for what Alexander did, take it up with Alexander. Don't punish someone who had nothing to do with your betrayal."
Seraphina's fingers curled against her palm. "You make it sound so simple."
"I didn't say it was simple."
"Then don't tell me what I should feel."
"I won't."
Ariella stood. "But I will tell you this. Elysia isn't your enemy."
Seraphina looked at her.
"She may be standing between you and what you want," Ariella continued, "but that doesn't make her the person who hurt you."
For a long moment, Seraphina said nothing. She looked down at the unfinished piece of embroidery on her worktable, her fingers absently brushing over the loose threads.
"I still don't trust her," she said at last.
"You don't have to." Ariella's reply was quiet.
Seraphina lifted her gaze. "And I haven't forgiven her."
"I didn't ask you to." Ariella reached for the shawl draped over the back of a nearby chair and wrapped it around her shoulders.
Seraphina watched her in silence. "I'll decide what I do next."
Ariella gave her a small nod. "That's your choice." She turned towards the door. "Just remember what we talked about," Ariella added, resting her hand on the latch. "If you want someone to blame, make sure you're blaming the right person."
Seraphina's expression tightened, but she said nothing.
Ariella opened the door and stepped outside. The cool night air greeted her as she walked away from the workshop. Behind her, the door closed softly.
Seraphina remained at the worktable, staring at the unfinished embroidery.
Ariella had stopped her from attacking Elysia. For now. But she knew Seraphina well enough to understand that the matter wasn't finished. Not even close.
Inside the workshop, Seraphina slowly lowered herself into her chair. Her anger had not disappeared. It had merely found a new direction.
***
I heard the narration when I woke before dawn. For the first time since arriving in this magical world, I was actually happy to hear that familiar voice. Maybe that sounds strange. At first, I hated the narrator. He would appear whenever he felt like it, interrupting my thoughts and explaining things I was perfectly capable of figuring out myself.
But now that he had been quiet for so long, I had to admit something. I missed him. "Sigh." There was something strangely comforting about hearing his voice again. Then he finished his narration. And I immediately regretted wanting him back.
Wait. Had Seraphina come into my tent? Last night?
I sat up. Had she argued with Ariella? In my tent? While I was sleeping? How did I not wake up? I looked around my tent as if the answer might be hiding somewhere. Am I really that tired? Apparently, I sleep like the dead. Then I remembered the rest. The poison needles.
My stomach dropped. Those weren't meant for me. They were supposed to pierce Ariella in the original story. Except Ariella had intervened. And if she hadn't—
I stared at the blanket covering my legs. "Oh."
That was close. Way too close. I had been so focused on keeping Alexander away from the King of Monsters that I'd almost forgotten how dangerous the people around me could be. This world wasn't following the original story anymore.
Not completely. And that was becoming more frightening with every passing day. I rubbed my face before forcing myself out of bed. There was no point dwelling on what had almost happened. We had somewhere to go.
By the time the camp began stirring, the morning air had turned cool and damp. I strapped the pieces of my armour into place, checking each buckle twice before fastening my cloak over them. I had learned enough about travelling with knights to know that looking prepared was almost as important as actually being prepared. After securing my sword at my side, I pulled my gloves on and stepped outside, where the others were already preparing the horses. Alexander was speaking quietly with Gabriel while the knights checked their saddles and supplies. I mounted my horse and fell into the group, trying not to look too interested in where we were going.
We rode for several hours, following the narrow trail through the forest. The path gradually became rougher as we moved farther from the main route, with roots breaking through the earth and low branches brushing against our shoulders. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in shifting patches, warming my armour one moment and disappearing behind the trees the next. I kept my eyes on the trail ahead, occasionally checking the surrounding forest. Everything looked ordinary, but the deeper we went, the quieter it became. Even the birds seemed less willing to make themselves heard. I knew what we were supposed to find ahead because I had made sure the clues were there. Still, sitting among armed knights while pretending this was all part of an ordinary search made my stomach tighten.
By mid-morning, the trees began to thin around a rocky slope, and I caught sight of thick vines hanging over a dark opening ahead. A cave lay partly concealed beneath the undergrowth. I slowed my horse with the others, my gaze fixed on the entrance. The sight of it made me uneasy. Not because I didn't know what we would find inside, but because I knew Alexander was getting closer to the truth with every step we took.
I stopped several steps away from the entrance. Nope. Absolutely not. I had never liked caves. They were dark, cramped and full of things that could potentially eat me. That was more than enough reason to stay outside.
Alexander seemed to have a different opinion. "We'll scout the cave."
Gabriel nodded. A few knights drew their swords.
Alexander turned to me. "You stay here."
I blinked. That was surprisingly easy. "Gladly."
He raised an eyebrow at my immediate agreement.
I smiled innocently. "I mean, I'll wait here."
He stared at me for another moment before turning away. Good. One problem solved. Alexander, Liam and several knights entered the cave. Two knights and Gabriel remained outside with me. I watched until their stonelight disappeared into the darkness.
I shivered. Nope. Definitely the right decision.