Aria's POV
I stare at the gun pointed at my head.
Don't shoot! Elena screams.
Nikolai Volkov my supposedly dead royal guard lowers his weapon. Princess. I'm not here to hurt you.
Then why the gun? I snap.
Because I didn't know if you'd trust me. He holsters it. I've been searching for you for five years.
Elena steps forward. How did you find her?
I've had people watching the palace. When Celestia needed a negotiator, I knew you'd come back.
You should have stayed dead, I whisper. Like me.
Not when she's still on your throne. He kneels. Let me help you. I have loyalists. People who never believed the lies.
My name is Aria now.
You're still my princess. He looks up. Still my queen.
Tears burn my eyes. Five years alone. But Nikolai remembered.
Get up, I say softly. We have work to do.
Twentyfour hours later, I'm on a plane to Astoria.
Elena sits beside me. Nikolai is three rows back, playing stranger. We can't be seen together.
My hands shake as the pilot announces descent.
Breathe, Elena whispers.
Can I? I'm flying back to where I was murdered. Where my sister stole everything.
I touch my temple scar. Remember why you're doing this.
A royal car waits at the airport. They drive through the city I used to rule. Every corner holds memories. The hospital. The school. My mother's statue.
The car turns toward the palace. My breath catches.
Golden gates. White walls. The towers I climbed as a child.
And the cliffs. The cliffs where they threw me away.
Ms. Winters? The driver watches me. Are you all right?
I force a smile. Fine. Just nervous.
The gates open. We drive through. My heart pounds.
A woman opens my door. Welcome to Astoria. Her Majesty is waiting.
I step out on shaking legs. The air smells like roses Celestia's favorite. I preferred jasmine.
Then I see her.
Queen Celestia stands at the palace steps, beautiful and perfect. Her smile is warm.
But I know the monster hiding behind it.
Our eyes meet. For one second, something flickers. Recognition? Fear?
Then it's gone. She extends her hand.
Ms. Winters. Welcome to Astoria.
I take her cold hand. Thank you for the opportunity, Your Majesty.
We shake. I want to scream that she's a murderer. That she tried to kill me.
Instead, I smile. It's an honor.
We've heard wonderful things about your work. She releases my hand. I hope you'll find our kingdom beautiful.
I'm sure I will.
She starts to turn. Then freezes.
A man walks out, and my world stops.
Prince Kael Thorne.
More handsome than I remember. Taller. Stronger. His stormgray eyes are tired, like he hasn't slept in years.
He stops when he sees me. Completely frozen.
Our eyes lock.
I can't breathe. Five years vanish. I'm back in freezing water. He's pulling me to shore. His hands bring me back to life.
Kael, Celestia says, irritated. This is Ms. Aria Winters.
He doesn't respond. Just stares like I'm a ghost.
Your Highness, I manage. It's a pleasure.
He walks down slowly. Stops in front of me. Studies my face.
Have we met before? he asks quietly.
The same question from five years ago at a charity ball.
I don't believe so, Your Highness.
Are you sure? You seem... familiar.
Celestia's eyes narrow. Kael, stop staring.
But he keeps staring. His hand lifts, like he wants to touch my scar.
You remind me of someone, he says desperately. Someone I lost.
I get that a lot, I lie.
No. His voice is firm. You don't.
Celestia steps between us. Perhaps we should get Ms. Winters settled.
Kael doesn't move. That scar. How did you get it?
My blood turns to ice. He noticed. He's the one who held me while I bled.
A car accident. Years ago.
When?
Kael, Celestia snaps. Enough.
He ignores her. When did it happen?
Five years ago, I whisper. I almost died.
Something breaks in his expression. Pain. Recognition. Hope.
He steps closer. What's your favorite flower?
The question throws me. What?
Your favorite flower.
I should lie. But I'm staring into his eyes, and I can't.
Jasmine, I whisper.
Kael's face goes white. No. That's impossible.
What's impossible? Celestia's voice is sharp.
He grabs my wrist. Electricity shoots between us.
Seraphina's favorite flower was jasmine, he says, voice breaking. And she had a scar exactly where yours is. And five years ago, I pulled a woman from the ocean. She whispered 'remember me' before she vanished.
My heart stops.
You're insane, Celestia laughs. Seraphina is dead.
Is she? His grip tightens. Because I'm looking at her right now.
The world tilts.
Celestia's face twists with rage. Guards!
Before anyone moves, Kael pulls me close and whispers:
Run.