Chapter 20
POV: Seraphina Vale
After what happened between Lucien and me, a heavy cloud hung over my head. I couldn't stop replaying the moments in his room, the memory of it looping like a broken record in my mind. It was so unlike me to be this unsettled.
Was I falling for him? For the devil himself?
"He saved your life," my inner voice whispered, grounded and insistent. "That is what a mate does. He isn't the devil; he's yours. You just misunderstood him."
I knew then I would do anything to earn his forgiveness. I lay on my bed, the weight of his absence pressing down on me until I finally drifted into a restless sleep.
A sharp, icy breeze swept through the room, making me jolt awake. My heart hammered against my ribs. "Shit, it's just the wind," I muttered, rubbing my arms to ward off the chill.
Restless, I stood up and decided to check on Lucien. I found myself strolling toward his wing of the palace, the stone floors cold beneath my feet. As I neared his door, the low murmur of voices stopped me in my tracks.
"He did not die," a masculine voice hissed, sounding frustrated.
"I don't know how," a woman replied. I couldn't recognize her, but her tone was sharp with venom. "I gave him the strongest poison. How did he survive?"
I pressed my back against the wall, my breath catching in my throat.
"We need to kill him again," the man said. I clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp.
"There is no need," the woman countered. "Someone else will do it. He is coming soon."
My heart did a frantic dance against my ribs. I tiptoed away, my footsteps silent as I hurried back to my room. I shut the door and leaned against it, breathing hard. I had to protect Lucien. I sat on the edge of my bed, my mind racing. What should I do? Who can I trust?
Then, a name popped into my mind: Nova.
I hurried to her room and knocked urgently.
"Who is it?"
"It's Seraphina."
The door creaked open, and I slipped inside, closing it firmly behind me. "Trouble has arisen," I whispered.
Nova's eyes widened. "What trouble? I don't understand."
I gripped my head in frustration. "Someone is trying to kill Lucien. He was poisoned deliberately, and since he survived, they're planning another attack. I overheard them discussing it, but I couldn't see their faces."
"Oh lord," Nova breathed, her face paling. "How are we going to save him?"
"We need the security to be tight around him," I insisted.
Nova shook her head. "The guards are spread thin guarding the treasury against thefts lately. Besides, Lucien hates it when guards shadow his every move."
"Then I will protect him," I said, my voice hardening with resolve. "No matter the cost." I sighed, my shoulders dropping. "But I think he's still angry with me. He won't listen to a word I say."
"You tried to escape and he got attacked by the Abyssari," Nova pointed out gently. "Anyone would be angry."
"Will he ever forgive me?"
"It will take time," Nova said. "Lucien doesn't usually forgive—he exacts revenge. You'll need to show him how remorseful you truly are."
"I hurt him badly," I admitted.
"You did, Seraphina. Because of you, he's in this state."
"I wasn't the one who poisoned him!" I snapped, feeling a flash of annoyance.
"I'm sorry," Nova said quickly. "But I have an idea. Plan something romantic to ease his anger, or simply apologize directly."
"You sure that will work?"
"He's my brother. I know him." Nova leaned back, a curious look in her eyes. "And why the sudden change of heart?"
"I don't know, Nova. Maybe because he saved my life."
"Or maybe because the mating bond is getting stronger," Nova smirked. "Have you forgotten how it works? The more time you spend together, the tighter the pull. Eventually, you won't be able to fight it anymore."
"You are so annoying with that smirk," I grumbled, heading for the door. "I'm going back to my room. We need to find out who is coming for him, and soon."
As I walked back, a flickering shadow caught my eye near the end of the hall. Curiosity overrode my fear, and I followed it. The shadow stopped at a massive, ornate black door I had never noticed before. It creaked open, and I stepped inside.
What I saw made me gasp.
A girl was dancing in the center of the room. She had silken black hair and emerald green eyes—exactly like mine. She even had the same dusting of freckles across her nose. She looked like a feminine reflection of Lucien, but with my features. She twirled with a haunting grace, as if she would never stop.
"Who are you?" I asked, stepping forward.
She stopped mid-turn and faced me. Her expression was cold, screaming of hidden danger. "Who are you?" I stammered.
"I am the destruction of this world," she said, tilting her head at an unnatural angle. "And I am the first curse."
"I don't know who you are. What do you mean, the first curse?"
"You will soon find out," she said, a chilling smile touching her lips. "I'm coming very soon... Mother."
"Mother? I'm not your mother!"
She didn't answer; she simply resumed her dance. I reached out to touch her shoulder, but as soon as my fingers brushed her, the world turned into a dizzying blur. Darkness rushed in, and I blacked out.
POV: Prince Orion Vale
I had spent three days preparing for the journey to the Dark Realm. My skin itched with impatience; I wanted my sister back.
I went to meet Serene one last time. She had managed to crack the realm's barrier just enough for my army to strike when the signal was given.
"Take this." Serene pressed a dagger into my palm.
I looked down at it. The blade was a polished, wicked silver, with a black hilt etched with glowing green lines that looked like veins of poison.
"What is this for?"
"This will weaken Lucien," she instructed, her voice cold. "It took me years to prepare this. Now the time has come. Make sure you stab him through the heart."
I took a steadying breath and tucked the weapon away. I left her, donning my disguise before heading outside.
"My Prince!" someone called. I turned to see Selene running toward me.
"Do you need something?"
"No, I just wanted to ask... should we follow you?"
"No. Follow the plan. I will go alone through the portal first. I'll give the signal when the time is right."
She nodded, and I hopped onto my horse. With a kick to its sides, I rode straight into the shimmering portal.
I landed in Dramkora, the capital city. It was exactly as we had planned. The air here was thick with the scent of coal and damp earth. I remembered this place; it was where I had first met Ophelia.
I made my way to a local bar, keeping my head low. Inside, the air was heavy with the smell of stale ale and roasted meat. I recognized a few faces—men with long, tangled beards and women dancing for coin.
"Aye, mate! It's been a long time since we saw you!" a man shouted, raising a wooden mug. It was the same man I'd seen with a bear once before.
"Yes," I replied, my voice raspy. "I was ill."
"Offer the young man a drink!" he roared to the barkeep.
"Why the celebration?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"Didn't you hear? The King was poisoned, and his wife saved him!"
My heart skipped. My sister saved that monster? "How did it happen? Who wants to kill the King?" I pressed.
"We don't know, but I bet they'll find out soon."
I scanned the room for Ophelia, but there was no sign of her. I had no choice but to ask. "Do you know Ophelia Lark?"
"Oh yes," the man chuckled. "That stripper."
My blood boiled, and I felt my grip tighten on the edge of the table. "She is not a stripper," I growled.
The man held up his hands. "Easy, mate! My bad. She lost her mother recently. An Angel attack."
"An Angel attack?" I asked, stunned.
"Yes, mate. The Angels are attacking us. I swear to the devil, if I catch one, I'll kill him without a second thought." He ground his teeth in rage.
I felt a surge of panic but forced myself to remain calm. "Do you know where she lives?"
"Yes, I can take you there."
I followed him through the winding, dark streets until we arrived at a small, weathered cottage. A young boy was outside, swinging an axe into a pile of wood. He had a look of Ophelia about him.
"Are you looking for someone?" the boy asked, dropping the axe and wiping sweat from his brow.
"Yes, we're looking for Ophelia," the man said.
The boy sighed and led us inside. "She's been down since our mother died."
I saw her lying on a small bed, looking like a ghost. I rushed to her side, gently lifting her head. "What happened? Why isn't she talking?"
"She's been like this," the boy explained sadly. "I've given her every treatment the physician prescribed, but she doesn't want to get up."
"Ophelia," I whispered. "Do you remember me?"
She turned her head slowly, her eyes—two different, beautiful colors—focusing on me. "You're the man who grabbed my hair last time," she said faintly. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to apologize."
"Okay," she breathed. "You can go now."
I didn't know what came over me, but before I stood, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. I stood up and walked out into the cool air.
Inside, Ophelia stared blankly at the door.
"Who is he, sister?" the boy asked.
"I don't know," she murmured. "But I feel like he has been with me forever."
I left them there, following the man back toward the noise of the bar, my mind already turning back to my sister—and the king I had come to kill.