SERAPHINA’S POVI look away too fast, forcing air into my lungs and panting hard from not breathing in the last five seconds. I’m not ready to face him, for him to look at me like that while standing next to her. I thought I was, but I’m not. The reality of it hits me too hard, and the pain in my chest becomes more and more unbearable.“Are you okay?” Jasper asks, holding me up so I don’t fall forward, while Juliet pats my back silently, all while I catch my breath. I take a second before I can stand on my own again, and when I do, they're already on the same level with us, talking with some people on the other end of the hall next to King Silvan. His laughter is the loudest, the rest of them just smile, including Artemis. Did he notice me, or was it my imagination?“Maybe we should leave now,” Jasper suggests, but I stop him. “No, I’m seeing this through. I want to be here.” He looks at me, worried and reluctant to give in, but I plead with him with my eyes until he sighs. “Fi
SERAPHINA’S POVThe music stops abruptly in a messy way, and all eyes instantly turn to the brawl happening right on the dance floor in front of me. Faces display shock, horror, and confusion. No one knows what happened, except me. I'm petrified as I watch Artemis attack Lucian like a rabid dog, seemingly out of control. I hadn't thought he was watching, hadn't thought he'd notice or care. But he did.After a few blows straight to Lucian's face, which explodes with vibrant red liquid, I snap out of my reverie, realizing I need to stop him before it gets worse, before he kills Lucian. It looks like he wants to. The look in his eyes, the way he pulls his fist all the way back and swings so violently, seems feral. He's unleashing everything he's felt over the past couple of days on Lucian and more."Artemis..." I take a cautious step forward, but he doesn’t respond, breathing hard like something not human. I catch a glimpse of his eyes, now shifted to bright gold with thin slit iri
ARTEMIS’ POVThe plan for tonight was to play the part of the perfect son.The perfect prince.The perfect fiancé. To deceive the crowd long enough to think that I’d finally given in, that the marriage was really happening, and then not go along with it in the end. It was all to buy more time, to convince Sera to run away with me. Everything was going perfectly well until I saw her.Descending the stairs with Kamila on my arm like a bedazzled accessory, I felt her presence long before our eyes met. I felt it from the fire in my heart, from the wild flames that always came to life whenever she was present. I knew she was there instinctively, and our eyes met easily amidst the thousands of people waiting for us. She shone the brightest, like a dazzling star. The world paused for a moment, and I longed to be where she was, standing right next to her instead of her friends, holding her in my arms so no one else could see her perfection the way I did.I had to hold onto the reigns of c
ARTEMIS’ POVThere's a sudden feeling of urgency welling up in my gut, taking over every reasonable thought I can muster at this moment. Watching her going for the door, reaching out to grab the doorknob, does something to me, knowing this might be the last time I ever see her again. Pain like nothing I’ve ever felt squeezes at my gut, stabbing my chest. My wolf cries in agony, and I know more than ever before that I can’t live without her. If I don’t die from my broken heart, I’d kill myself. I can’t let her leave.I rush forward, grabbing her other arm before she can open the door, pulling her towards me in one swift move. She’s startled, letting out a short scream, before I have her pinned against the wall with both her hands held over her head. Green flustered eyes look at me and then up at her hands, and she frowns.“What are you doing!” she asks.I remain silent for a second, staring into her mesmerizing green eyes that pull me in like a trance, her soft features and delicat
SERAPHINA’S POVI feel like I'm floating, suspended in air, with a sense of calmness around me. I open my eyes to find myself in a place that can't be real.A world where everything is white, an endless space with no walls or ceiling, and I can't discern where the floor starts or ends."Where am I?" I ask myself out loud, looking around at the endless white expanse."You're in your subconscious mind," a voice echoes behind me, and I turn to meet her again, hovering like an angel as always.My mood dampens seeing her here."Of course you'd be here. You're always here.""I am your guide. I have nowhere else to be."I decide not to comment on the creepiness of that statement, shifting to what's important right now."Why am I here?" I ask.I try to remember the last thing that happened before waking up here, jogging my memory that has numerous gaps right now. With enough concentration, everything begins to play out in my mind.The engagement party, the reveal, and Artemis running after me
SERAPHINA’S POVHe casually pulls out a chair by the wall and makes himself comfortable with it, right in front of me. I wait patiently, tinged with a bit of anxiety.A part of me tries to figure out what this is going to be about.Will I be tossed in some dungeon out of vengeance, forced to live a pathetic life?Or will I be killed for daring to interrupt his precious royal wedding, in hopes that Artemis can form a bond with someone else when I’m gone?His cold silence is choking, and I can’t take it anymore."If this is about the marking—"“Congratulations, Seraphina Hawthrone.”I freeze at words I was not expecting him to say, congratulations I was not expecting to receive. I expected rage, anger, flipping the bed I’m on before I’m dragged off.But his smile hasn’t left his lips yet, watching me with calmness.“What?” I blurt out.“Well, isn’t it a beautiful thing, to have found young love and find yourself lucky enough to participate in something so sacred that your kind can only
SERAPHINA’S POVThe doctor checks that I’m completely fine an hour later, confirming that my body has successfully accepted the mark.Apparently, there was a possibility of rejection on my part, a rejection that could have left detrimental damages to Artemis and me, and I was lucky that it was accepted without any hiccups.I wouldn’t call it luck, though.Every single bit of nature was on my side, ensuring that it would happen and that we’d be tied together forever. The prophecy, my Astria bloodline, wouldn’t let me die off so easily.But I doubt Artemis guessed all of that. He knew the repercussions, and yet he did it.I can’t help but be angry when I think of it and the violation of trust on his own part. I can’t help but be enraged that he ignored all the warnings I dropped, all just so he could get what he wanted.It hurts, and it’d be best if we don’t see each other for a few hours, maybe until the ceremony tomorrow.Yet, when the doctor leaves the room, and I’m all alone, I find
KAMILA’S POVTonight was supposed to be perfect—the night I've been preparing for my entire life, the very essence of my existence; to become engaged and married to my mate, Artemis, and ascend the throne, finally winning my father's favor.Yet, she had to show up and ruin everything, as always—intruding where she's not wanted and effortlessly stealing Artemis's attention from me, like the wicked temptress she is.I hated the way he chased after her, leaving me to be ridiculed in the middle of the dance floor—stealing the attention that should have been mine at my own engagement party.I hate it to the point that my blood boils as hot as lava.Regardless, it's already too late; the gears have already been set in motion.She had her chance when Artemis chose her over me, but thankfully, father was able to put some sense back into my head before I lost what was rightfully mine to her for good.I would have never been able to forgive myself.Once again, I'm reminded of the dignity I must