Seraphina's POV
The note arrived with breakfast, written in bold, precise handwriting.
Court appearance required today. The Emperor commands our presence. Wear whatever makes you comfortable. —C
I crumpled the paper in my fist. Comfortable? Nothing about facing a room full of nobles who'd watched my family die would be comfortable.
But I was done hiding.
Elena, I called. I need a dress. Something that says I'm not broken.
She appeared quickly, eyes bright with understanding. I have just the thing, my lady.
An hour later, I stood before the mirror in a deep purple gown. Not quite mourning, not quite celebration. The color of bruises that were starting to heal—still painful, but surviving.
You look like a queen, Elena whispered, adjusting the final pin in my hair.
I look like a prisoner playing dress-up, I corrected. But I stood straighter anyway.
Elena leaned close, her voice dropping. Be careful today, my lady. Lady Isolde Marchand will be there. She's... dangerous. Engaged to Lord Crestwood, but everyone knows she's threatened by you.
My ex-fiancé's new bride saw me as a threat? Interesting.
Anyone else I should watch for?
Everyone. Elena's expression turned grim. Trust no one at court. They smile while sharpening knives.
Perfect. Just like home.
A knock interrupted us. Captain Marcus stood at the door, his scarred face neutral. My lady, the general sent me to escort you to the throne room.
How thoughtful, I said coldly. Is he afraid I'll run?
He's afraid someone will hurt you before you arrive. Marcus met my eyes directly. And he's right to worry.
The walk through the fortress felt like marching to my execution. Servants stopped and stared. Guards whispered. Everyone knew who I was—the conquered bride, the treaty prize, the girl who'd lost everything.
Let them stare.
The throne room doors opened, and sound hit me like a wave.
Hundreds of nobles packed the massive space, all dressed in silks and jewels. Conversations stopped as I entered. Every eye turned to examine me. To judge. To tear apart.
I lifted my chin and walked forward.
At the far end, the Emperor sat on his throne like a spider in the center of a web. Emperor Aldric was older than I'd expected—maybe fifty, with silver threading through dark hair. But his eyes were sharp and cruel as a hawk's.
Ah! His voice carried across the room. The new Lady Valorent. How... charming.
The way he said charming made it sound like an insult.
I stopped ten feet from the throne, preparing to curtsy, when a hand touched my elbow.
Cassian appeared at my side, solid and steady. He wore full military dress—black uniform with gold insignia, sword at his hip. He looked every inch the dangerous general.
But his touch on my arm was gentle.
Your Majesty, he said smoothly. My wife and I are honored by your summons.
My wife. The words should have felt like chains. Instead, they felt almost... protective.
I pushed the thought away viciously.
Walk with me, General, the Emperor commanded, rising. Let us see how well your bride handles court.
It wasn't a request.
Cassian offered his arm. I took it stiffly, my hand resting on his sleeve. Underneath expensive fabric, his arm was solid muscle. Warm. Real.
Stop noticing, I told myself.
We walked through the crowd, and the whispers followed like knives.
She wore black to the wedding. Scandalous.
I heard she tried to attack him on their wedding night.
The general should have killed her with the rest.
Cassian's arm tensed beneath my hand, but his expression stayed perfectly calm. How many times had he done this? Walked through hostile crowds while pretending everything was fine?
We passed a group of ladies, all beautiful and dripping with jewels. One stepped forward—blonde, elegant, with a smile like poisoned honey.
General Valorent, she purred. You must introduce us to your lovely bride.
Lady Isolde Marchand, Cassian said coolly. May I present my wife, Lady Seraphina Valorent.
Isolde's smile sharpened. This was Damien's fiancée. The woman Elena had warned about.
How wonderful to finally meet you, Isolde said, her voice dripping false sweetness. I've heard so many interesting things about your... situation.
Have you? I matched her tone exactly. How fascinating that you have time to gossip about strangers.
Color flooded her cheeks. Score one for me.
Oh, we're not strangers, Isolde laughed, moving closer. After all, we have someone in common. Lord Crestwood speaks of you often.
She said it deliberately. Loudly. Making sure everyone nearby heard that my ex-fiancé still talked about me.
Does he? I kept my voice bored. How unfortunate for you.
Isolde's eyes flashed with rage. She stepped back dramatically, her wine glass tilting—
Directly toward my dress.
Red wine arced through the air in slow motion. I braced for impact, but it never came.
Cassian moved faster than should be possible. He stepped between us, his broad frame blocking me completely. Wine splashed across his pristine uniform instead of my gown.
Silence crashed over the room.
How clumsy of you, Lady Marchand, Cassian said quietly. But his voice carried steel underneath. Danger. Perhaps you should be more careful.
Isolde went pale as death. I—it was an accident, General. I swear
Careful, Cassian repeated, his gray eyes turning cold as winter storms. My wife is precious to me. Anyone who harms her—accidentally or otherwise, will answer to me personally.
The threat hung in the air like a sword.
Isolde curtsied quickly and fled, her friends scattering after her.
Cassian turned back to me, wine dripping from his jacket. Are you alright?
I stared at him. He'd just publicly claimed me as precious. Threatened a noble lady on my behalf. Ruined his uniform to protect mine.
Why? The question came out shakier than I wanted. Why protect me from something so small?
Because you're my wife, he said simply. Like it explained everything.
People were staring. Whispering. The Emperor watched from across the room with gleaming interest.
I should say something cutting. Push him away. Remind him I hated everything he stood for.
Instead, I pulled a handkerchief from my sleeve and reached up to dab wine from his jaw. You have excellent reflexes, General.
His breath caught. Our eyes met, and the air between us charged with something dangerous. Something that felt nothing like hatred.
His hand came up, covering mine against his face. His palm was warm. Rough. His thumb brushed across my knuckles, and electricity shot up my arm.
Seraphina, he said softly. Just my name. But it sounded like a question. Or a prayer.
I snatched my hand back, heart pounding. What was I doing? This was my enemy. My family's killer.
But he'd just defended me. Protected me. Called me precious in front of the entire court.
I need air, I said abruptly, turning away.
Let me—
Alone.
I fled before he could follow, pushing through crowds toward the exit. People parted, still whispering. I didn't care. I just needed space to breathe. To think.
To figure out why my hand still tingled where he'd touched it.
I burst through a side door into a corridor, gasping for air. My back hit the wall, and I pressed both hands to my racing heart.
What was happening to me? Why had standing close to him felt more dangerous than any threat Isolde could make? Why had I noticed how his eyes softened when he looked at me?
Sera.
I spun around.
Damien stood ten feet away, partially hidden in shadow. My ex-fiancé. The man who'd sworn to love me forever, then abandoned me to prison.
What do you want? I demanded.
He stepped into the light, and I saw his face properly for the first time since the wedding. Still handsome. Still familiar. But something was different. Something cold lurked behind his green eyes.
I wanted to see if you're alright, he said, moving closer. I saw what happened with Isolde. She can be... jealous.
Your problem, not mine.
Is it? He stopped just out of reach. Because from where I stood, the general looked quite possessive. Tell me, Sera—has he been kind to you? Or does he show his true nature behind closed doors?
There was something wrong about his tone. Too eager. Too interested.
That's none of your concern.
Isn't it? Damien's expression hardened. I loved you once. Still do, if I'm honest. It kills me to see you trapped with that monster.
You loved me so much you did nothing when they arrested my family, I shot back. Nothing when they executed my father. Where was your love then, Damien?
I couldn't— He stopped, jaw clenching. The Emperor would have killed me too.
So you chose survival over loyalty. Over love. I laughed bitterly. At least the general is honest about what he is.
Damien's face twisted with something ugly. You're defending him? The Butcher of Rothaven? The man who slaughtered everyone you loved?
I'm not defending anyone. I'm stating facts.
Then let me state one. He leaned closer, voice dropping. The general isn't what he seems. There are things you don't know. Things I could tell you.
My pulse quickened. What things?
Not here. Too many ears. His eyes darted to the corridor. Meet me tomorrow. The east gardens at noon. I'll tell you everything.
Why would you help me?
Because I want you safe. His hand reached for mine. Because I made mistakes, but I'm trying to fix them. Because
There you are.
We both jumped.
Cassian stood at the corridor entrance, his expression unreadable. But his eyes—his eyes burned with something dark and dangerous as they fixed on Damien's hand near mine.
Lord Crestwood, Cassian said softly. Too softly. I believe your fiancée is looking for you.
Damien dropped his hand immediately. General. I was just expressing concern for Lady Valorent's wellbeing.
How thoughtful. Cassian moved forward like a predator. But my wife's wellbeing is my responsibility now.
The two men faced each other, tension crackling between them like lightning before a storm.
Damien smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Of course, General. My apologies.
He walked away, but not before catching my gaze one last time. A look that said clearly: Tomorrow. East gardens. Noon.
Then he was gone.
Cassian turned to me, and his careful mask slipped. I saw fury there. And something else. Something that looked almost like fear.
What did he want? His voice was tight.
To talk.
About what?
You. I met his eyes directly. He says there are things I don't know about you. Things he could tell me.
Cassian went very still. And will you meet him?
Should I? I challenged. Are there secrets you're hiding, General? Things your former comrade knows that I don't?
For three heartbeats, he didn't answer. Just looked at me with those storm-gray eyes full of ghosts.
Yes, he said finally. There are things you don't know.
Then tell me.
I can't. Not yet. Not until He stopped, jaw clenching. Seraphina, I'm asking you to trust me. Don't meet with Crestwood alone. He's dangerous.
Everyone keeps saying that. But maybe he's the only one willing to tell me the truth.
The truth. Cassian laughed bitterly. Is that what you think he'll give you?
What else would he give me?
Cassian stepped closer, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. Close enough to feel heat radiating from his body. Close enough to be dangerous.
Lies, he said quietly. Damien Crestwood trades in lies and manipulation. Whatever he told you, whatever he promised—it's poisoned bait designed to hurt you. To hurt both of us.
Why would my ex-fiancé want to hurt me?
Something flickered across Cassian's face. Knowledge. Dark and terrible.
Because, he said, voice dropping to barely a whisper, Damien Crestwood isn't who you think he is. And if you meet him tomorrow...
He didn't finish.
What? I demanded. If I meet him tomorrow, what?
Cassian's hand came up like he wanted to touch my face. Then he dropped it, stepping back.
Then I can't protect you from what you'll learn.
He turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the corridor with more questions than answers.
And the terrible certainty that tomorrow, everything would change.
I didn't sleep that night.
I kept thinking about Damien's offer. Cassian's warning. The way they'd looked at each other like enemies who shared a secret.
What truth was Damien offering?
What was Cassian so desperate to hide?
And why did I feel like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall into darkness?
Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.
And I was terrified of what it would bring.