*****Harper's POV
The garden was quieter than I expected.
Red roses climbed marble pillars, their petals glowing faintly under the morning sun. The air smelled of blooming nightflowers—sweet, heavy, almost intoxicating. I walked slowly, hands clasped in front of me, trying to calm the strange unease curling in my chest.
Something felt… off.
Not dangerous.
Just wrong—like a memory itching beneath my skin.
I turned a corner—
And crashed straight into a solid chest.
"Oh—!" I gasped, stumbling back.
Strong hands caught my arms instantly, steadying me before I could fall.
"Careful, my bride," a familiar amused voice said. "You'll ruin yourself before I even get the chance."
I looked up.
Kael.
He was dressed in blood red ceremonial robes, his silver hair tied loosely at the nape of his neck. His crimson eyes sparkled with something unreadable—sharp, playful… dangerous.
I frowned.
"What are you doing out here?"
He tilted his head, lips curving into a lazy smile.
"Looking for trouble."
"That's not an answer."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"Would you believe me if I said I was looking for witches?"
I crossed my arms.
"Kael."
"Yes, wifey?"
I glared. "Stop calling me that."
He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
"You'll get used to it soon."
I studied his face. He looked… relaxed. Too relaxed for someone supposedly hunting witches.
"You're avoiding the question," I said. "Why are you really outside?"
Kael shrugged.
"A groom needs fresh air."
"That's ridiculous."
"Everything about me is ridiculous," he replied smoothly. "Yet you still agreed to marry me."
That annoyed me more than it should have.
I stepped back.
"You're impossible."
He smiled wider, clearly pleased.
"And you're adorable when you're angry."
I scoffed.
"I'm leaving."
I brushed past him, irritation burning beneath my skin—along with something else I couldn't name.
Behind me, Kael's laughter echoed.
"See you at the wedding, wifey!"
I clenched my fists and kept walking.
As I reached another path, a familiar presence stopped me.
"Lady Harper."
I froze.
Seraphina stood there, her crimson gown flawless, her eyes sharp and observant.
"You shouldn't be wandering around before the wedding," she said coolly. "It's improper."
"Yes… your highness," I replied politely.
But suddenly—
Pain.
A sharp pulse throbbed behind my eyes.
My vision blurred.
The garden twisted, colors bleeding together. My heart raced as something hot surged through my veins—images flickering at the edge of my mind.
Fire.
Black veils.
A woman dancing.
I staggered.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed.
"Are you unwell?"
"I— I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing myself upright. "Just… tired."
Before she could say anything else, I turned and hurried away, my breath uneven.
Something was very wrong.
*****Author's POV
Elsewhere in the demon castle—
Ellis and Natalie, still disguised as maids, moved swiftly through the grand hall, eyes scanning every corner.
Then Ellis stopped abruptly.
Her breath caught.
"No…" she whispered.
The magic was gone.
Every trap.
Every spell.
Every enchantment she and Natalie had woven the night before—completely erased.
Natalie felt it too.
"All of it?" she asked quietly.
Ellis nodded, her expression darkening.
"Wiped clean. As if it never existed."
Natalie swallowed.
"Who could do that?"
Ellis's fingers curled into fists.
"There is only one person powerful enough to erase my spell without leaving a trace."
She turned sharply.
"But… why?"
Natalie opened her mouth to ask—
Then Ellis stiffened.
"Seraphina," she hissed. "She's coming."
Without another word, Ellis grabbed Natalie's wrist.
The shadows folded inward, swallowing them whole.
They reappeared in a vast, moonless space—an ancient pocket of darkness untouched by demon or witch.
Ellis raised both hands, chanting softly.
The air split.
From the darkness emerged two identical figures—tall, pale, their hair long and silver, eyes glowing faintly like dying stars.
The twins who ruled the night.
Noctyra and Nyxen.
They yawned lazily.
"Ellis," Noctyra murmured. "You disturb our sleep."
Nyxen smirked.
"You know we only sleep at dawn."
Ellis bowed her head slightly.
"My apologies. I wouldn't summon you unless it was necessary."
She looked up.
"Did either of you witness what happened last night?"
The twins exchanged a glance.
Nyxen waved his hand.
Dark mist formed between them, shaping into a vision.
Ellis watched—
A cloaked figure stepping into the castle.
Dark magic shattering her spells like glass.
A single, familiar presence.
Her jaw tightened.
"I knew it."
Natalie turned sharply.
"Who?"
Ellis whispered, disbelief laced with anger.
"Zareth."
Natalie stared.
"But— why would he sabotage us? Harper and I are his cousin."
Ellis clenched her teeth.
"I don't know."
She exhaled sharply.
"We can't cast another spell. The demons are alert now."
Natalie nodded slowly.
"Then all we have is the hairpin."
Ellis turned to her.
"I'm going to Zareth."
"What about me?"
"Stay here," Ellis ordered. "Try to stop the wedding if you can."
Natalie hesitated, then nodded.
"Be careful."
Ellis disappeared into shadow.
Natalie followed moments later—back toward the castle.
*****Harper's POV
My head was spinning when I reached my chambers.
The dizziness wouldn't stop.
The walls felt too close. The air too thick.
"Lady Harper?"
I turned.
Mar— no. Another maid.
"Are you ready?" she asked gently.
"I… I don't know," I whispered.
My chest tightened.
Images crashed into my mind—
A woman screaming.
Black feathers.
Blood on marble floors.
I pressed a hand to my head.
I breathed, confused. "I feel strange."
The maid's eyes widened.
A sharp pain exploded through me.
My knees buckled.
I felt myself falling—
But before everything went dark, the door burst open.
Kael stormed in, Seraphina right behind him.
Kael's eyes locked onto the maid.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face.
"There you are," he said softly.
"Little witch."
He grabbed the maid's arm roughly.
I tried to speak. To scream.
But darkness swallowed me whole.