The wind howled through the valley of Solvain.
Snow whipped around her cloak, but Seraphina didn't flinch.
She had tracked the pulse in her blood to this place—the pact's tether, the bond that yanked at her heart like a chain every time she thought of him.
Kaelith.
Alive.
And close.
Her fingers trembled—not from the cold, but from the war inside her. Logic told her to run. But her heart, cursed or not, dragged her forward.
---
Scene Break – The Shrine of the Old Gods
Kaelith stood at the edge of the altar, cloak billowing, arm still bound from the blast. A line of dried blood marked the side of his face.
He felt her before he saw her.
The bond snapped taut.
Seraphina.
She stepped out from the trees like a ghost summoned by guilt.
"You came," he said.
"I shouldn't have."
"But you did."
She didn't answer.
Didn't need to.
Everything about her had changed. Her eyes no longer searched for kindness—they demanded answers. Her hands no longer hesitated.
She had come for the truth.
And maybe for vengeance.
---
Scene Break – The Fire Between Them
"I saw the mirror," she said. "I saw what we are."
His jaw tightened.
"Then you understand."
"I understand that you lied to me," she hissed. "You knew we were bound. You knew before we even kissed."
"I didn't lie. I just—"
"Didn't tell me."
The snow burned between them.
"You're not just part of the prophecy," she said. "You're the key to it. The blood bond… it was forged through murder."
Kaelith lowered his eyes.
"My father killed yours to preserve the crown."
Seraphina's breath hitched. "And you thought I wouldn't find out?"
"I thought I could fix it."
She stepped closer.
The sword at her side trembled.
"You think I can forgive that?"
"I don't care," he said softly. "I'll protect you either way."
---
Scene Break – The Tearing Point
The gods' shrine began to shake.
Cracks split the altar beneath them.
The bond was reacting—violently. Refusing the lies, demanding resolution.
"You have a choice," he said, pulling a dagger from his belt. "Break the bond."
She stared at the blade.
"Kill you, you mean."
"I won't stop you."
Her heart fractured.
Was this love?
Or a trap dressed in devotion?
She lifted the dagger.
He didn't flinch.
---
Final Scene – The Knife Falls
Seraphina's hand trembled mid-air.
"I hate that I don't want to do this."
Kaelith smiled faintly.
"That's how I knew it was real."
Suddenly—
An arrow tore through the air.
Kaelith cried out, stumbling back.
Seraphina screamed.
He dropped to his knees, blood staining the snow.
A figure stepped out from behind the stones.
Verren.
"Poor girl," he said, loading another arrow. "You should've finished the job when you had the chance."