Seraphine's POV
"Get out of my way." I tried to push past him, but Cassian was like a wall.
"No."
"You don't understand—"
"I understand perfectly." He stepped into my room, closing the door behind him. "Celestia got into your head. Told you some lie about how everyone you love will die. And now you're running because you think leaving will save us."
My breath caught. "How did you—"
"Because I know you." His voice was gentle but firm. "You've spent your whole life believing you don't matter, that you're not worth protecting. So of course you'd run the second someone tells you you're dangerous."
Tears burned my eyes. "But what if she's telling the truth? What if my powers really do kill everyone around me?"
"Then we deal with it together." He took my hands. "You're not doing this alone anymore."
"People will die because of me!"
"People die every day. From curses, from wars, from stupid accidents." He squeezed my hands. "I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself based on what some jealous goddess told you in a nightmare."
"It wasn't a nightmare. She was in my head. Her voice—"
"Was exactly what she wanted you to hear." Cassian's jaw tightened. "She's trying to isolate you. Make you push everyone away so you're vulnerable when the Court arrives."
I wanted to believe him. But Celestia's words kept echoing in my mind. Everyone you love will die screaming.
"I can't risk it," I whispered. "I can't risk you."
"Too late. I'm already risking everything for you." He pulled me close, and I felt his heartbeat against my cheek. Strong. Steady. Alive. "And I'm not going anywhere."
I sagged against him, too exhausted to fight. "You're so stubborn."
"Says the girl who tried to sneak out in the middle of the night." I felt him smile against my hair. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
He started to leave, but I grabbed his sleeve. "Wait. Stay. Please."
I didn't want to be alone with Celestia's voice in my head.
Cassian hesitated, then nodded. He sat in the chair by my bed while I climbed under the covers, and his presence made the room feel safer.
"Cassian?" I said into the darkness. "Thank you. For not letting me run."
"Always," he said softly.
I fell asleep to the sound of his breathing, and for the first time in days, I didn't have nightmares.
The next morning, I woke to find Cassian gone and Lyra shaking me urgently.
"Get up! Quick!"
I rubbed my eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Lady Morgana arrived early. Like, really early. She's downstairs right now having breakfast with the Duke, and she brought half the noble families in the kingdom with her." Lyra pulled me out of bed. "Everyone's talking about how she's here to win him back."
My stomach twisted. "So? That's none of my business."
"Are you kidding? After everything—" Lyra stopped, studying my face. "You're falling for him, aren't you?"
"No. I'm not. I can't." Even saying it hurt. "He's a duke. He needs someone like Lady Morgana. Someone powerful and noble who can give him alliances and—"
"He doesn't want alliances. He wants you." Lyra grabbed my shoulders. "I've seen the way he looks at you. Like you're the only person in the world."
"That doesn't matter. In two days—"
"In two days, we'll figure something out. But today, you need to show that woman she doesn't own him." Lyra grinned. "So let's get you dressed and crash this breakfast."
"I can't just—"
"Yes, you can. The Duke invited you to dinner tonight, remember? That means you're a guest. Guests can join breakfast." She was already pulling out the blue dress Cassian had given me. "Come on. Let's show everyone who you really are."
Twenty minutes later, I stood outside the dining hall, heart racing. I could hear voices inside—laughter, conversation, the clink of silverware. Noble voices. People who belonged here.
People unlike me.
"You can do this," Lyra whispered, then pushed the door open.
Every head turned to look at me.
The dining hall was full of elegantly dressed nobles, all staring at the servant girl in the doorway. At the head of the table sat Cassian, and beside him was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
Lady Morgana had golden hair, perfect skin, and a smile that could melt ice. She wore a dress that probably cost more than I'd earn in a lifetime.
She was everything I wasn't.
"Oh," Morgana said, her voice like honey. "Is this the new servant? How... charming."
My face burned. I started to back out, but Cassian's voice stopped me.
"Seraphine isn't a servant. She's my guest." He stood, his eyes locked on mine. "Come sit beside me."
Whispers erupted around the table. Morgana's perfect smile tightened.
On shaking legs, I walked to the empty chair beside Cassian. He pulled it out for me himself, and I heard gasps.
"Everyone, this is Seraphine," Cassian announced. "She's under my protection, and I expect her to be treated with the same respect you'd show any noble guest."
More whispers. I wanted to sink through the floor.
Morgana leaned forward, her smile sharp now. "How interesting. And where is your family from, dear? I don't recognize the name."
"I... I don't have family."
"Oh? Then how did you come to be here?"
"Lord Viktor sold her to pay his debts," Cassian said flatly. "I bought her freedom."
The whispers turned into scandalized murmurs. Morgana's eyes gleamed with triumph.
"How generous of you, darling. You always did have a soft heart for charity cases." She reached across the table to touch Cassian's hand. "But surely you understand why I was concerned when I heard about your miraculous recovery. We have so much unfinished business, you and I."
Cassian pulled his hand away. "Our engagement ended three years ago, Morgana."
"Because you were dying. But you're not dying anymore." Her smile was all teeth. "Thanks to whatever miracle cured you, we can finally discuss our future together."
"There is no future together."
"Don't be hasty. Our families have been planning this alliance for years." She glanced at me, her expression pitying. "Surely you understand duty comes before... passing fancies."
The words hit like a slap. Passing fancy. That's what I was to her. To everyone here.
Maybe she was right. What was I compared to years of planning and noble alliances?
I started to stand, ready to excuse myself, when I felt Cassian's hand cover mine under the table.
"My duty is to my people and my conscience," he said, his voice cold. "Not to an engagement I never wanted."
Morgana's smile finally cracked. "Cassian—"
"This conversation is over." He stood, pulling me up with him. "If you'll excuse us."
He led me out of the dining hall, ignoring the shocked stares and whispered conversations. We didn't stop until we reached an empty hallway.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I shouldn't have come. I made everything worse—"
"You didn't make anything worse." His hands cupped my face. "Morgana showing up doesn't change anything between us."
"But she's right. You need someone who can help your duchy. Someone noble and powerful and—"
"Someone who doesn't care about me at all?" Cassian's laugh was bitter. "Morgana wants my title and my wealth. She doesn't want me."
"And I do?" The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His eyes softened. "Don't you?"
Yes. God help me, yes. I wanted him more than I'd ever wanted anything. Wanted his strength and his kindness and the way he looked at me like I mattered.
But wanting and having were two different things.
"It doesn't matter what I want," I whispered. "In two days—"
"Stop." His thumb brushed my cheek. "I'm so tired of hearing about two days from now. Right now, in this moment, tell me the truth. Do you want me?"
My heart hammered. "Yes. But—"
He kissed me.
It was gentle and desperate and perfect. His lips were warm against mine, and everything else disappeared—the curse, the Court, Morgana, everything. There was only this moment and the feeling of being wanted, being chosen.
When he pulled back, we were both breathing hard.
"There," he said softly. "Was that so hard to admit?"
Before I could answer, footsteps echoed down the hall. Theron appeared, his face grave.
"Your Grace, we have a problem. A big one."
Cassian didn't let go of my hand. "What is it?"
"I need to speak with you. Privately." Theron's eyes flicked to me apologetically. "It's about the curse."
My blood ran cold. "What about the curse?"
"Theron—" Cassian's voice held a warning.
"She needs to know," Theron said firmly. "She deserves to know the truth."
"What truth?" I demanded. "What aren't you telling me?"
Cassian and Theron exchanged a look. Finally, Cassian sighed.
"Come with me."
He led me to his private study and closed the door. Theron followed, looking uncomfortable.
"Tell her," Theron said.
Cassian's jaw worked like he was fighting with himself. Finally, he spoke. "The curse on me isn't random. It was designed specifically for me. For my bloodline."
"I don't understand."
"Three hundred years ago, my ancestor—Lord Darian Nightborne—fell in love with a goddess. Your sister Celestia found out and cursed our entire family line." His eyes met mine. "Every Nightborne male dies on their thirtieth birthday. My father. My grandfather. Every single one."
Horror washed over me. "Because of me? Because Celestia was angry about the goddess?"
"Because Celestia is jealous and cruel," Cassian corrected. "But yes. The curse exists because a Nightborne loved a goddess."
"And now..." I could barely breathe. "Now you're protecting another goddess. History is repeating."
"That's not all," Theron said quietly. "Show her the rest."
Cassian rolled up his sleeve, revealing his curse mark. But it wasn't faded anymore—it was darker than before, spreading up his arm in black veins.
"What—when did that happen?" I gasped.
"Last night. After I stayed with you." He said it matter-of-factly, but I could see the pain in his eyes. "The curse is accelerating."
"Because of me." My voice broke. "Because you're close to me."
"We don't know that—"
"Yes, we do!" I backed away from him. "Don't you see? Celestia was telling the truth. Your curse is getting worse because you're protecting me. Because you—" I couldn't say it. Couldn't say the word that would kill him.
"Because I care about you," Cassian finished. "And I'm not going to stop."
"You have to! You're dying faster because of me!"
"Then I'll die." His voice was fierce. "But I'll die knowing I chose you over a curse designed to make me suffer."
"That's insane!"
"That's love!" The word hung in the air between us. Cassian's eyes widened slightly, like he'd surprised himself. "That's what love is, Seraphine. Choosing someone even when it's hard. Even when it hurts."
Tears streamed down my face. "I can't let you die for me."
"You don't get to decide that."
"Your Grace," Theron interrupted. "There's more."
"More?" I couldn't imagine what could be worse.
Theron pulled out a scroll. "I had our scholars research the curse extensively. They found something in the old texts." He unrolled it, showing ancient writing. "The curse doesn't just kill at thirty. It has a... trigger."
"What kind of trigger?" Cassian asked.
"If the cursed Nightborne ever..." Theron swallowed hard. "If he ever genuinely falls in love with a divine being, the curse activates immediately. His heart stops within hours."
The room spun. "No."
"That's why your curse mark is spreading so fast," Theron told Cassian. "Because you've already—"
"Don't," Cassian warned.
But it was too late. I understood.
Cassian was falling in love with me. And when he finally admitted it—when the bond completed—he would die.
Not in two days. Not at his birthday.
Hours.
"How long?" I whispered. "How long does he have?"
Theron's silence was answer enough.
I looked at Cassian, at the black veins spreading across his skin, and something inside me shattered.
"I have to leave. Right now. Before—"
"Seraphine—"
"Let me go!" I wrenched free from his grip. "Please. If you care about me at all, let me go before I kill you."
I ran for the door, but it slammed shut by itself.
Golden light poured from my hands—uncontrolled, wild. My power was surging, responding to my panic.
And then I felt it. A presence in the room that wasn't one of us.
The Oracle of Twilight materialized from shadows, her ancient eyes sad.
"It's too late to run, child," she said. "The bond has already formed. Running won't save him now."
"Then what will?" I cried.
The Oracle looked between Cassian and me. "Only one thing can break a curse made from jealous love."
"What?" Cassian demanded.
"A sacrifice of equal measure. A god must give up their divinity willingly to save the mortal they love." The Oracle's expression was grave. "Seraphine, if you want to save him, you must choose: remain a goddess and watch him die, or give up your power forever and become fully mortal."
My heart stopped.
Give up my goddess powers. Become completely human. Vulnerable to the Celestial Court coming in two days to execute me.
I looked at Cassian, at the curse literally killing him because of me.
There was no choice at all.
"How do I do it?" I asked.
"Seraphine, no—" Cassian started.
"Tell me how to save him!"
The Oracle raised her hand, and a glowing dagger appeared. "Pierce your own heart with this. Your divine essence will transfer to him, breaking the curse. But you will be mortal. Powerless. And when the Celestial Court arrives—"
"They'll kill me." I took the dagger. "I know."
"Then you understand," the Oracle said softly. "You're choosing death to give him life."
I looked at Cassian, memorizing his face. The way his ice-blue eyes looked at me. The way he made me feel like I mattered.
"Yes," I said. "I understand."
And before anyone could stop me, I raised the dagger to my chest.