Rain POV
After Seraphina left my room, her words still circled in my head like crows. Prepare yourself, child. Tonight, everything changes.
I wanted to scream at her for leaving me with nothing but questions. Instead, I dragged myself into the shower. The water came hot and heavy, rolling down my body, washing off the sweat and fear clinging to me since I woke from the dead. I stood there too long, my forehead pressed against the tiles, trying to steady my breathing, trying not to fall apart.
When I finally stepped out, steam curling around me, I saw it—laid neatly on my bed. A long, flowing red dress. Deep red, like spilled wine. Or blood. My fingers traced the fabric before I slipped it on. It hugged my skin in a way that made me feel both powerful and exposed.
Minutes later, they brought me a meal—warm, rich, filling. I ate until my belly was heavy, and for the first time since clawing my way back into this cursed life, I felt strength crawling back into my bones.
