Seraphina's POV
Marcus caught me before I reached the corridor.
My lady, stop! His hand gripped my arm, not rough but firm. You can't confront Crestwood alone. It's exactly what he wants.
Let go of me. I struggled against his hold, the dagger clutched in my other hand. He killed my family. He tried to kill me. I'm going to make him pay.
And get yourself murdered in the process? Cassian appeared behind Marcus, his face thunderous. You think Damien will just confess? He'll deny everything, then arrange another accident. A fatal one.
I don't care!
Well, I do! Cassian's voice cracked with emotion. Damn it, Seraphina, I just found proof he's a traitor. Give me time to gather more evidence. To build a case the Emperor can't ignore.
The Emperor probably knows already, I shot back. Probably ordered it himself.
Cassian's silence confirmed my suspicion.
I wrenched free from Marcus's grip, backing away from both of them. So what? I just do nothing? Smile and pretend while my family's murderer walks free?
No. Cassian moved closer, his gray eyes intense. You be smart. Patient. You let Damien think you suspect nothing. And when the time comes, we destroy him completely.
We? I laughed bitterly. There is no 'we.' You're still my enemy, General. Don't forget that.
Something flickered across his face. Pain. But he nodded. Then be smart for yourself. Stay alive long enough to get your revenge.
He was right. I hated that he was right.
Over the next week, I did exactly as Cassian suggested—I pretended. Smiled at court. Avoided Damien. Played the dutiful wife while rage simmered beneath my skin.
But Cassian was different now. Distant. He barely spoke to me, ate meals in his study, avoided being alone with me. After that night when I'd almost stormed off to confront Damien, something had changed between us.
Or maybe he'd finally realized I meant what I said. That he was still my enemy.
Good. That made things simpler.
Except at night, I still heard him pacing in his study. Still caught myself listening for his nightmares. Still found my hand pressed against the wall between us like I could somehow share his burden.
I was going insane.
A week into this strange new tension, I couldn't take the fortress walls anymore. I needed air. Space to think.
Marcus escorted me to the gardens—sprawling grounds with fountains and flower beds. For a moment, I could almost pretend I was back at Ashmont Keep, walking through my mother's roses.
Then I saw him.
Damien stood by the central fountain, sunlight catching in his golden hair. He looked exactly as I remembered—handsome, charming, safe.
A lie wrapped in beauty.
Sera. He used my old nickname like he still had the right. I've been hoping to see you alone.
Every muscle in my body tensed. Lord Crestwood.
Please, don't be formal. We were more than that once. He moved closer, and I forced myself not to step back. I've been worried about you. Trapped with that monster—
The general is my husband, I cut him off coldly.
A husband forced on you by the Emperor. His green eyes filled with what looked like genuine concern. Perfect fake tears. Sera, I think about you constantly. About what we had. About how I failed to protect you.
Anger flooded hot through my veins. You were worried? You did nothing when they arrested my family. Nothing when they executed my father. You stood in that court and watched me marry the man who killed them, and you did nothing.
I had no choice! His voice rose with desperation. The Emperor would have killed me too. I wanted to help, wanted to save you, but I was powerless. Surely you understand—
I understand perfectly. I smiled, cold and sharp. I understand you're a coward who chose survival over loyalty.
His expression hardened for just a second. Then the mask slipped back into place. You're angry. You have every right. But Sera, I still care about you. I can help you escape this nightmare. The general is a monster. Everyone knows what he's done, what he's capable of—
And what are you capable of, Damien? I studied his face carefully. What would you do to keep your comfortable position at court?
Something flickered in his eyes. Fear? Guilt?
Anything to keep you safe, he said smoothly. When you're ready to leave him, when you need help, come to me. I'll be waiting.
Why are you really here? I demanded. What do you want from me?
I want to give you back what you lost. He reached for my hand, but I pulled away. Your freedom. Your happiness. Your life before everything went wrong.
Before you betrayed me, you mean?
His face went pale. I never
Didn't you? I leaned closer, watching his reaction. My father trusted you. Told you everything about our defenses, our strategies. And then Imperial forces knew exactly where to attack. Exactly when. Exactly how to break through our walls.
That's insane, he said, but his voice shook slightly. You think I would betray your family? The people I loved?
I think you're capable of anything.
Damien's mask cracked completely. For just a second, I saw something ugly underneath. Something cold and calculating.
Then it vanished, replaced by hurt confusion. The general has poisoned your mind against me. He's making you paranoid, turning you against your true friends—
My true friends are dead. I turned to walk away. Because of people like you.
Sera, wait
But Marcus appeared at my side, his hand on his sword. Lady Valorent, the general is looking for you.
Damien's expression darkened. Of course he is. Can't let his prize possession out of sight.
Goodbye, Lord Crestwood, I said without looking back.
As Marcus led me away, I felt Damien's eyes burning into my spine. Watching. Calculating.
You handled that well, Marcus murmured. Kept him off-balance.
He's guilty, I said. I saw it in his face.
Knowing and proving are different things.
We returned to my chambers to find Cassian waiting, pacing like a caged wolf. He stopped when I entered, his gray eyes searching my face.
Damien was in the gardens, I said before he could ask.
His jaw clenched. What did he want?
To offer help. To paint you as a monster. To make me think he cares. I met Cassian's gaze directly. He's guilty. I know it. I saw it in his eyes when I mentioned the betrayal.
I know. Cassian's hands fisted at his sides. I've been gathering evidence all week. Financial records, witness statements, timeline analysis. It all points to Crestwood as the one who leaked your father's defenses.
Then why hasn't he been arrested?
Because the Emperor protects him. Because without absolute proof, Damien will claim I'm framing him out of jealousy. Cassian's expression turned grim. And because if we move too soon, he'll disappear or arrange your death before we can stop him.
So what do we do?
We set a trap. He pulled out a paper, laying it on the table. Marcus found this in the servant's quarters. Another letter, this one undelivered. It's instructions for a second attempt on your life. Scheduled for three days from now, during the Emperor's masquerade ball.
Ice slid down my spine. He's going to try again.
Yes. But this time, we'll be ready. Cassian's eyes met mine, fierce and determined. We let him make his move. Catch him in the act. Get the proof we need to destroy him completely.
You want to use me as bait.
I want to give you justice. His voice softened. But only if you're willing. I won't force you into danger.
I thought of my father's execution. My mother's screams. Elias dying in my arms.
I'm willing, I said. What do I need to do?
Cassian explained the plan—I would attend the masquerade, appear vulnerable, give Damien an opening. Marcus and other loyal guards would watch from shadows. When Damien made his move, they'd capture him with evidence.
He won't confess, I said.
He won't have to. We'll have witnesses, proof, everything we need.
And if something goes wrong?
Cassian stepped closer, his hand coming up to cup my face. The touch was gentle, reverent. Then I'll die keeping you safe. I promise you that.
My breath caught. His palm was warm against my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin. We stood frozen, inches apart, the air between us charged with something dangerous.
Why? I whispered. Why would you die for me?
His storm-gray eyes held mine, and I saw too much there. Pain. Longing. Something that looked almost like
Because, he said softly, somewhere between hating myself and trying to keep you alive, I fell in love with you.
The world stopped.
He loved me.
My enemy. My family's killer. The man I'd sworn to destroy.
He loved me.
And the most terrifying part?
I wasn't sure I hated him anymore.
Don't, I whispered.
Don't what? His voice was rough.
Don't love me. Don't make this complicated. Don't
Too late.
And then, God help me, he kissed me.