He led her across the estate to a structure shrouded in vines. A small, brick building, almost forgotten. Bones of ivy crawled up its roof.
Inside: relics, magical artifacts, books filled with forbidden knowledge. At the far end stood a bronze statue of Saintess Yidali, flanked by vases filled with sacred herbs.
Elena stepped forward, wordless. Her eyes widened in reverence.
"This," Seamus said, "is our private chapel. We store magical items here the Church might consider… heretical."
Elena turned toward him, her expression blooming into wonder.
"Do you also practice magic, or—?"
He shook his head. "Admittedly I love to study it. But I haven't a lick of talent."
Elena laughed, surprised by how relaxed she felt.
"Bueno," she said, brushing a petal from her sleeve, "I'll do it for the estate, then."
Seamus stepped closer, his heart racing.
Before either of them could think, their lips met. Hunger. Heat. Desire tangled in shadows.
She whispered for him to take her. He was more than willing to obey.
Blasphemous as it was, they made love right there—on the altar of Saintess Yidali.
An hour later, they lay curled together, their breath still uneven.
Elena laughed softly, cheek pressed against his chest. "Why are you so familiar?" she asked.
Seamus stroked her back, holding her tighter.
"I've been asking myself the same."
Their foreheads touched, lips brushing for another kiss—just as the chapel doors burst open.
Kenneth stood in the doorway, frozen mid-step.
"My lord, there is an emergen—!"
His words died as he saw them—half-naked, tangled on the altar.
He quickly turned around, face flushed. "My apologies."
Seamus groaned. "My good man, knock, would you? There's a lady in the estate now."
Elena wasn't even that embarrassed. Something deeper troubled her.
Because in that last kiss, just a blink before Kenneth interrupted… she had seen something.
A battlefield.
Not the chapel.
A war-torn landscape filled with bloodied soldiers. Seamus stood among them in armor not worn for generations. The scent of smoke and iron.
The vision lasted only a moment. But it was enough.
She would consult her cards tonight. They would know what it meant.
Seamus kissed her one last time before leaving with Kenneth, who explained a mining line had collapsed.
"Please be safe," Elena said.
Seamus clasped her hand, eyes full of meaning. Then he was gone.
Elena exhaled and turned back toward the chapel. The statue of Saintess Yidali stood unmoving, flame-heart clutched in bronze hands.
"My lady… pray for us that have recourse to thee," Elena whispered, shutting the door behind her.
Unseen, the Saintess's flaming heart glowed softly—humming with hidden magic.