The great hall of the Academy buzzed with whispers.
Wendell Blyth had been removed under heavy guard, still muttering about fire and silver eyes. The instructors called it "a magical episode."
But Seraphina knew better.
That was her first warning shot. A reminder to the hidden traitors:
She remembers.
---
Across the marble floor, Lady Kassandra stood laughing with two other nobles, her gown stitched with gold, her voice as fake as her friendship.
Seraphina walked past without stopping. But Kassandra couldn't resist.
"Seraphina, darling," she called sweetly. "You've been so busy lately. Did you forget who your real friends are?"
Seraphina turned, slow and smooth. "You're right."
Kassandra blinked.
"I should never forget the girl who taught me what betrayal feels like."
The smile never left her face, but the venom in her voice cut like ice.
Kassandra tilted her head. "You're… different."
"I'm awake."
Kassandra leaned closer, voice dropping. "Be careful. Not everyone likes girls who suddenly act like queens."
Seraphina stepped in, lips near her rival's ear.
> "That's fine. Because I don't like girls who die screaming in fire."
Kassandra's face went pale.
---
Later that evening, Seraphina met Elric Vael in the training yard.
"You summoned me?" he asked, slightly breathless, eyes full of cautious loyalty.
"Yes," she said, tossing him a wooden sword. "We're going to train."
"Why? You've never cared for combat."
"I didn't before," she said. "But queens who don't know how to fight get stabbed. Often by the ones closest to them."
He didn't ask questions. He just nodded and squared up.
They trained under the rising moonlight, blades clashing. Elric was strong, skilled—but Seraphina fought like someone possessed. Each swing was vengeance. Each strike was memory.
He grinned through the sweat. "You've changed."
She stopped, lowering her blade. "Would you still follow me… even if I became someone dark?"
He stepped closer.
"I would follow you into flame."
She said nothing.
But for the first time in seventeen years… she felt safe beside someone.