Chapter Five
POV: Seraphina Vale
"Seraphina, hurry up, darling! We're going to be late!" her mother called, excitement glowing in her voice.
Sera sighed softly as she adjusted her gown.
She's more excited than the demons hosting the ball.
"Your Majesty," a maid said, bowing slightly. "The carriage is ready."
"Finally," King Gideon muttered. "It's just a ball, for heaven's sake."
"It is not just a ball to me," Queen Valeria replied with a playful pout.
Sera shook her head, a faint smile touching her lips.
The demon world…
Her heart began to race.
Maybe… I'll see him again.
"Send the carriage," King Gideon commanded.
The journey felt longer than it should have.
Sera sat quietly, her fingers gripping her dress.
Something felt… wrong.
As if fate itself was shifting.
They arrived.
Dark towers loomed above them, glowing faintly under an unnatural sky.
"Welcome, Your Majesty," a guard said, bowing.
"You are welcome to the Annual Nevermore," another added awkwardly.
Sera stepped inside—
—and froze.
The ballroom was breathtaking.
Music flowed like magic through the air. Demons and angels moved together in elegant harmony, as if war had never existed between them.
Her eyes scanned the room.
Why are they all so… beautiful?
She shook her head slightly.
Focus. They are still your enemies.
POV: Lucien Draegor
The ballroom pulsed with life.
Laughter. Music. Movement.
Lucien stood above it all, watching.
Unmoved.
"Let them dance," he said quietly.
His gaze drifted across the crowd—
Then stopped.
"…Nova."
His voice was low.
"Yes?" she replied.
"That woman," he said. "The one in the white gown… with the mask."
Nova followed his gaze.
"Oh," she said. "That's Seraphina Vale. Daughter of King Gideon."
Lucien's eyes didn't move.
Something about her…
felt different.
Nova smirked slightly. "Don't tell me you're interested."
Lucien said nothing.
"If you are," she added, her tone more serious now, "don't be foolish. The king would never allow it."
Still—
Lucien did not look away.
POV: Nova Draegor
The garden was quiet.
Too quiet.
Nova walked slowly, her thoughts heavy.
No powers.
No mate.
Nothing.
A branch snapped.
She turned instantly.
"Who's there?" she called. "I may not have my powers yet, but I can fight."
"It's… me," a voice replied. "Samuel Winter."
Nova frowned. "Do I know you?"
"No," he admitted quickly. "And I'm not here to cause trouble. I don't even have my powers yet."
Suspicious.
Before he could react—
Nova pinned him to the ground.
"Don't lie to me," she warned. "Are you spying on us?"
"No! I swear!" he said quickly. "I was just walking!"
She studied him for a moment.
Then slowly released him.
"Don't sneak up on me again."
"I won't," he said, standing up. "Promise."
He paused.
"By the way… who are you?"
Nova crossed her arms.
"Nova Draegor."
His eyes widened slightly.
"The princess of the underworld?" he said. "That's… impressive. And terrifying."
She raised a brow.
He smiled nervously.
"Since this whole event is… kind of pointless," he added, "would you like to dance with me?"
Nova stared at him.
Bold.
Unexpected.
Brave… funny… annoying, she thought.
"…Fine," she said.
But she turned away quickly.
"Stop staring," Samuel teased.
"I'm not," she snapped.
"Sure," he smirked.
POV: Seraphina Vale
"This place is… not as bad as I expected," Sera muttered.
"Is that so?"
Her heart stopped.
She turned—
"Riven."
He stood before her, just as she remembered.
Perfect.
"Riven!" she gasped, throwing her arms around him.
He held her tightly.
"I missed you," he said softly.
"I missed you too," she whispered.
For a moment—
everything else disappeared.
"How have you been?" she asked, holding his hands.
"I've survived," he replied. "And you?"
"I've been waiting," she said quietly. "For you."
Silence fell between them.
"I never got to say goodbye," she added, her voice breaking slightly.
"I was afraid," Riven admitted.
"Of what?"
"Of losing you… completely."
Sera stepped closer.
"You didn't lose me," she said. "I still love you."
Riven's expression changed.
Pain.
Conflict.
"Don't say that," he said.
"I mean it," she insisted.
He shook his head slowly.
"Sera… we can't do this anymore."
Her heart shattered.
"Why not?"
"You know why," he said. "Your father would never allow it. And neither would mine."
"We can keep it a secret," she whispered.
"No," he said firmly. "I won't risk your life."
He let go of her hands.
"This is goodbye."
And then—
He walked away.
Sera stood frozen.
Alone.
Later…
"Let the dance begin," King Gideon announced.
The ballroom came alive once more.
Everyone was dancing.
Laughing.
Moving on.
But Sera remained seated.
Her chest tight.
Her heart aching.
Idiot…
She stood abruptly and walked out into the hallway, needing air.
Lost in her thoughts—
She collided with someone.
A glass nearly slipped.
"I'm so sorry," Sera said quickly.
"Watch where you're going," a cold voice snapped.
Sera looked up.
A woman stood before her—dark, beautiful, dangerous. Red lips curled in annoyance, a glass of champagne in her hand.
"Angels have no manners," the woman said sharply.
Sera straightened.
"And demons have no kindness," she replied.
Lilith's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well," she said slowly, "this should be interesting."