Seraphina's head pounded as she was led through the winding halls of the palace. The tension from the War Room hadn't lifted — if anything, it clung to her skin like a second, suffocating layer. The guards flanking her sides remained silent, their expressions as unreadable as stone.
Her legs felt heavier with each step, not from exhaustion but from the weight of uncertainty. What would the king demand now? Was surviving the test not enough?
The path led them to a grand set of doors carved with symbols she didn't recognize. The metal shimmered under the torchlight, like the walls were alive and watching. A cold shiver raced down her spine.
The guards didn't announce her. They opened the doors, and Seraphina was pushed gently inside.
The room wasn't what she expected.It wasn't a throne room or a dungeon.
It was something far worse.
A lavish chamber bathed in flickering candlelight, the air thick with the scent of incense and something darker — power. Deep red curtains lined the walls, and an enormous obsidian table sat at the center. At the far end stood Lucian.
He wasn't wearing his ceremonial armor this time.Just a loose, dark tunic that clung to his frame and emphasized the predatory sharpness of his features. His silver hair caught the light, making him appear almost otherworldly.
His gaze met hers — not cruel, but cold. Calculating.
"You survived." His voice was like a blade, sharp and effortless.
Seraphina didn't speak. She straightened her shoulders, willing herself to meet his stare with equal strength.
Lucian tilted his head, as if studying a rare creature."Good. It would've been a waste if you died before tonight."
The words sent a chill through her veins."Why did you test me?" she managed, her voice steadier than she felt.
"Because I don't need weaklings in my court," Lucian replied smoothly. "And I don't make mistakes when choosing my Consort."
Seraphina's heart lurched.Consort?
She forced a breath. "I didn't agree to be anyone's plaything."
A dark smirk touched Lucian's lips. "You don't have a choice. You knew the rules when you entered this kingdom."
He gestured to the table behind him. Several figures emerged from the shadows — council members, dressed in dark cloaks, their faces half-hidden. Their presence turned the room oppressive, like a storm pressing against the windows.
"The council has convened," Lucian continued, his voice like silk over steel. "And by the laws of old, you are bound by trial and claim. You've passed the first. Now, you'll complete the second."
"And what would that be?" Seraphina asked through gritted teeth.
"To survive the court's judgment," one of the cloaked figures answered, his voice ancient and dry. "Before dawn, you will either secure your place or forfeit your life."
Lucian stepped closer, his scent a heady mix of leather, ash, and something dangerously intoxicating."You wanted to prove you weren't just another pawn in this game," he murmured, his gaze locking onto hers. "Then fight for it."
Seraphina's pulse thundered.This wasn't just about power or position anymore. This was survival in its cruelest form.
"I'll see you at the trial, little mortal," Lucian whispered, and before she could react, the room plunged into darkness as the candles extinguished.
Only the echo of his voice remained."Prove yourself… or perish."