Once Romeo, Danny, and George revealed their true forms, Serenah's mind raced with all sorts of scenarios. Her emotions rioted as she tried to decide what to do. Romeo had taken a huge risk revealing his truth. She couldn't afford to be stingy. She needed to do the same.
The three boys did as she asked, closing their eyes and waiting for her to show her real self. She took a steadying breath. She could do this. She could only hope that her form wouldn't disgust Romeo. Her thoughts threatened to spiral down a dark path. She checked that impulse quickly.
She gently opened her magic, preparing to shed her human guise. Suddenly, her bond to Alastar flared to life. She turned to her right and saw him. She glared fiercely at him, shook her head no, daring him to take another step. He froze and didn't move.
Satisfied he wouldn't interrupt, she finished dropping the illusion of humanity. Her Poten form was visible, and she trembled in fear and anticipation.
Serenah whispered, "Romeo, you guys can look now."
He turned around and froze. His mouth fell open. Serenah felt his surprise through her mark. She didn't sense anything else and fought the urge to fidget as she waited for him to do or say something. After what felt like an eternity, Romeo spoke.
"Breathtaking," he murmured.
She blushed at his words and stilled as his gaze traveled from the top of her head to her feet. She didn't say anything, too embarrassed by his praise to say anything. No one had viewed her as beautiful except her mother. Alastar broke the moment.
"You look like an idiot, staring at her like that."
Alastar had moved to stand next to her. She frowned, not liking his words to Romeo.
"Surprised to see you here. I don't remember inviting you," drawled Romeo.
Alastar chuckled. Serenah could feel his malice toward Romeo.
"I am her guard. I will always be able to find her."
Romeo frowned, and Serenah stiffened, unable to keep the hurt expression off her face at Alastar's words. She used to be happy with that bond, but since his abrupt change, she hated that shackle.
"Besides, I don't think we have much to say to an enemy."
"Enemy? I don't think I care for your jests," growled Romeo.
"Alastar, don't," Serenah began, but stopped when Alastar grabbed her shoulder. He dug his fingers into her, and she bit back a yelp of pain. It hurt!
She saw Romeo take a threatening step toward him.
"Get your hand off her," he ordered.
"I'm not one of your followers, so no, I don't think I will. It's laughable that you both spout nonsense about being truthful when you haven't laid all your cards on the table, as the humans say."
Serenah's anxiety skyrocketed. What was Alastar even saying? Wasn't it enough to show that both she and Romeo were Poten and Cornibus? It took a moment to realize that Alastar was referring to her royal status. Anger and fear flowed from her at the thought of Romeo learning about her bloodline.
"What games are you playing, Alastar?"
"Since we're playing reveal, let me show you." Alastar removed his hand from Serenah's shoulder and shrugged.
She heard the whoosh of Alastar's wings opening. Romeo's gaze whipped over to her.
It's over, she thought. She realized that until Alastar had shown his wings, Romeo believed her to be something other than human, which was why he hadn't reacted negatively to her true form.
Alastar spoke again, his words flung at Romeo while stabbing at Serenah's resolve and heart.
"I know who you are. You aren't just a Cornibus citizen. You are Crown Prince Fidelis, and the two with you must be your famed guards, Blainel and Sodalitas."
"Yes, you are correct," retorted Fidelis. He could sense
Surprise turned to confusion, followed by resignation and sadness. Serenah knew what Alastar was doing. Both she and Fidelis were royals from enemy kingdoms. Their relationship and love were forbidden. No one would welcome or allow it. She felt as if her dreams were coming apart around her. She felt her eyes swell with unshed tears.
It was so unfair! The one good thing in her life was going to be taken from her. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest. She felt like she couldn't breathe. Did Autem hate her so much that he would take her only joy? Amidst her tumbling thoughts, Alastar again dug his fingers into her bruised shoulder.
"Oh, enemy crown prince, the irony of this moment is too funny for words," said Alastar triumphantly.
"What do you mean?" snapped Fidelis.
Alastar pushed Serenah forward a little. "Show him," he ordered.
Serenah lowered her head, defeat singing its familiar song in her soul. She couldn't control her emotions and knew they were flooding her fated mark.
"Sera?"
She flinched. "I, I'm sorry," she whispered.
She shuddered, and then the whoosh of her wings opening shook the air. The absolute silence following her wings coming out stabbed at her insecurity. She knew that her wings were ugly, that she was unworthy of even love from an enemy prince. It hurt so much! Her ugly, dull gray wings marked her as worthless and unwanted. She was drowning in negative thoughts and despair.
"So, she's a Poten like you. What's the big deal, Alastar?" sneered Fidelis. "You acted like her secret was some life-altering event. I still love her even if she is a Poten."
Fidelis's response pricked Serenah's despair a tiny bit. She twitched.
Alastar laughed mockingly at Fidelis's words. "Oh, Autem, this is too rich! Yes, she's Poten. That's not the ironic part. She is the daughter of your enemy," he chortled.
Serenah felt her world crashing down at Alastar's hateful words, revealing her bloodline. She heard a gasp, and then Blainel was speaking.
"She's King Bayrel's youngest daughter, Your Highness!"
"Sera?" Fidelis's voice was soft and gentle.
A roaring in her ears and soul was drowning her. She felt his concern through their fated mark. Humiliated by Alastar, she wanted to hide away from everyone and everything. They would be off better without her.
A pulse of love jolted her from her spiral. She blinked and raised her head to look at Fidelis.
"Sera, we need to talk. Just you and me. Everyone else can leave so we can talk things out."
"I'm afraid that's not possible," interrupted Alastar, his hand going to Serenah's arm. "We're leaving," he announced and yanked on her arm, nearly causing her to fall.
She let out a startled yelp and tried to regain her balance. She felt the rise of magic. Alastar's grip abruptly loosened.
Serenah put distance between herself and Alastar, her eyes wide with hurt and the beginnings of anger. Fidelis held out his hand towards her. She didn't hesitate. She moved to come to him. She didn't make it. A wall of flame roared to life from the ground, separating them.
"Sera!" Fidelis yelled.
Serenah jumped back at the sudden wall of flame. How dare Alastar! His hand clamped on her arm, and he yanked her to him. She struggled to free herself.
"Let go, Alastar!"
His eyes narrowed, and she flinched. He leaned in, his other hand coming around to grab her other arm, locking her firmly in place. He was hurting her, the pressure of his grip threatening to break her bones. Fear coursed through her as she renewed her struggle to get free.
Alastar came closer until he was next to her ear. His hot breath made her flinch. His next words shattered her resistance.
"See? Fidelis's guards realize how useless and unsuitable you are for a crown prince. Your ugly wings, your low-level powers—all of it is unwanted. A true prince needs a strong princess who commands respect. You have none of that. Besides, Serenah, the king will never allow you to be with Fidelis. You should just give up now."
"You're lying," whimpered Serenah. Fidelis's guards didn't hate her, did they? She wasn't sure. She was so confused!
"Am I? I've been watching all of you. I also know of the famed crown prince and his two most trusted retainers. They don't tolerate trash and broken things. You are both of those things, Serenah."
"No! Liar!" she yelled, but his words were insidious, worming their way into her heart. "Let me go!"
She tried to pull free, her tears spilling forth. The need to escape and lick her emotional wounds in private rose. Alastar tightened his grip on her.
"We're going home. I will report this to the king."
"No!" screamed Serenah. Anything but that! Her father would truly kill her this time if he found out.
Panic lent her strength. She flung herself backward. Her unexpected move surprised Alastar. He loosened his grip for a split second. It was long enough for her to put distance between them. She couldn't go far because of Alastar's wall of flame behind her.
She stared at her former friend. She couldn't trust anything or anyone at home. She was uncertain about Fidelis's feelings. She couldn't take this anymore! A small flicker of defiance swelled inside. Didn't she deserve to be happy? Why was everyone trying to destroy that?
That small spark of anger became a flame that blazed brighter from a surge of Fidelis's emotions through her fated mark. Love, strong and commanding, flowed from him to her. Belief in her bolstered her resolve. Never had Fidelis put her down, mock her, or hurt her. She had to match his faith in her with determination to be the woman he saw in her.
She stood tall and fixed Alastar with a fierce gaze. She refused to be manipulated any longer.