The echoes of Cassian's voice faded behind her, but the words "Elara!" still burned in the marble hall. Mia didn't look back. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she exited the academy, each step stabbing her back with pain. The bandages beneath her dress tugged with every movement, but she refused to falter.
Outside, the late afternoon sun painted the palace gardens in soft amber. Cherry blossoms drifted through the air, petals falling like pink snow. The scent of roses and damp earth filled her nose, grounding her as she walked.
She needed quiet. Space to think. A plan.
Her mind ran over the next death flag: Seraphina will frame me for dark magic in three days. Execution. Public. Final.
A shadow fell across the path.
"Not now," she muttered — but the shadow moved closer.
Prince Cassian stepped out from behind a tree. His black cloak swayed with the breeze. Ice-blue eyes locked on hers, dangerous, unyielding.
"You don't get to walk away from me," he said, voice low and sharp.
Mia stopped. Slowly turned.
"Actually," she said, "I just did."
He closed the distance in three long strides. His hand shot out and caught her wrist — firm, not cruel, but impossible to ignore.
"Explain," he demanded. His thumb brushed the edge of the bandage on her back. "You're bleeding."
Mia yanked free, stepping back. "Don't touch me."
"You broke a sacred crystal. Shattered Seraphina's chain. And then—" His jaw clenched. "You dumped me in front of the empire."
Mia laughed, short and sharp. "You wanted it. I gave it to you."
Cassian's eyes darkened. "I wanted you to beg. Not… this."
She stepped closer, close enough to see the storm swirling in his gaze.
"You wanted Elara to cry," she whispered. "I'm not her."
His hand moved slowly toward her bruised cheek. "Then who are you?"
Mia's heart skipped. He was too close. Too real.
She slapped his hand away. "Someone who doesn't need a prince."
Cassian didn't flinch. "You think you can survive without me?"
"I survived you," Mia said, straightening her spine. "And I'll survive the rest."
A twig snapped behind her. She tensed.
Golden hair shimmered in the sunlight. Seraphina stepped from the shadows, eyes wide, lips curved in a false smile.
"Cassian!" she called, voice saccharine, but the venom in her gaze was aimed at Mia.
Mia smirked. "Perfect timing. The fake saintess arrives."
Cassian shifted, stepping between them. "Leave," he said firmly.
Seraphina froze. "But—Your Highness—"
"I said leave," he said again, voice sharp.
Her lips trembled, but she obeyed, bowing stiffly before retreating.
Mia raised a brow. "Protecting me now?"
Cassian turned to her. "I don't know what you are," he admitted. "But you're mine to figure out."
Mia's smile was ice. "Not anymore."
She started to walk away.
"Elara," his voice stopped her, soft but deadly serious.
She didn't turn. "The engagement is over. But this? This isn't."
The palace corridors were quiet as she moved. The evening air brushed against her bruised back. Pain flared, but she forced herself to ignore it. By the time she reached her assigned room, the sky was darkening. It was too late to return home. She couldn't risk being outside the palace grounds after sunset.
She collapsed onto the bed, wincing as her back burned where the bandages pressed against torn skin. Blood had soaked through again, warm and sticky beneath the sheets. But her mind raced faster than her body could protest.
Cassian's reaction didn't change anything. Seraphina would still frame her. Execution was still coming. Even if he was confused… he wouldn't stop it.
She stared at the ceiling, biting her lip. There had to be a way out.
Then the memory hit her.
In the original story…
Prince Valoric Cassian's older brother, the crown prince — had been the only one to show Elara a shred of pity. When she was executed, he had paid for her funeral. No one else cared. Not her parents. Not the nobles. Just Valoric. And he hadn't been betrothed yet. Not until the king forced a bride on him near the end.
Mia sat up, ignoring the sharp sting in her back.
Valoric was her only shot. He was kind. He was powerful. And he wasn't in love with Seraphina. If she could reach him…
She knew exactly where to find him. The eastern wing of the palace — the flower greenhouse. Valoric had a secret love for rare blooms, and he went there every evening, alone.
Mia stood, winced, and wrapped herself in a dark cloak. Pain flared with every movement, but she forced herself to steady her breathing.