SERAPHINA'S POV
I'm outside, near the bushes and trees surrounding the school, staring at an open flame that burns brightly. The yellow light flickers with vibrant life, and in the center, a small blue flame burns.
I imagine the fire would feel warm, as opposed to the much colder evening, and that the wind moving through the leaves would bring a chill with it, but I feel nothing.
My heart is frozen over like pure ice.
Everything hurts, and yet I feel nothing. I'm numb to the world and all that it offers; my only company is the reverberating darkness in my chest, the hollow feeling of loss.
"This is the eighth time... it's not going to burn; you can't change what you are," the spirit appears to me again, referring to the book I stole from The Obsidian Library now beneath the flames.
Again, she appears behind me, out of thin air, putting in her opinion without being asked. I kind of preferred the times when she was just a figment of my imagination, hovering around and only being able to call my name.
But she's right.
I don't know what incantation was cast on it, but it's not burning. Every procedure I've taken to reverse this curse on me has proved futile, even ripping off my mark.
The next day, the wounds were gone, completely healed with the mark more vibrant than ever, mocking me for ever thinking I could outsmart it.
I'm trapped in this destiny, this curse.
There's no escape.
I'm dangerous, and... Artemis is getting married tomorrow.
"Sera?" Jasper emerges from behind me, walking closer with caution once he sees me watching the fire silently.
"Olivia said you'd be here. Said you've been coming here to light a fire since you heard the announcement."
"Is it time... already?" I ask, feeling my heart break with the realization of how fast time has flown.
How three days became two and then one without Artemis ever showing up even once. Can I blame him, though?
I pushed him away after hurting him, yelled at him to leave me alone. He's done so much, and I was mean and selfish when all he was trying to do is find a way, and now our time is up.
Some parts of me wants to regret ever meeting him, maybe even rue the day I ever stood up to him in the cafeteria and put myself on his radar - but Artemis has indisputably been the best thing that has ever happened to me.
And that's exactly why it feels like I can't breathe anymore, at least not without the suffocating, agony in my chest.
The wedding is tomorrow, the rehearsal dinner is in a few hours, and ironically enough, I was invited by King Silvan himself, an invitation I can't turn down even if I wanted to.
Some sick way of forcing me to witness the end of everything and come to terms with where I stand and how powerless I am in the fate of things.
A last chance to say my goodbyes to Artemis before it happens.
It hurts, but it's for the best.
We can't be together.
"It's by 8. You'll need a few hours to get ready before I come pick you up."
I finally look away from the fire at his face, torn and twisted. He can't even meet my eyes anymore because of his shared guilt.
He jokes less around me, offering a sad smile that isn't ever well-curated anymore.
It hurts knowing my last moment here is seeing him like that, having everyone walk on eggshells around me.
"Okay. I'll head back soon... just I need a moment more."
He nods, turning to leave.
Once he's gone, I take a step closer, dipping my bare hands into the fire and pulling out the ancient book that isn't even dented.
Dusting off the ash from the leaves burning around it, I turn to leave.
***
I decide on a floral dress with puffy pleats that stops just before my knees.
My hair is left to fall down my back, pinned away from my face, and with Olivia's help, I apply light makeup-nothing too overpowering to draw attention.
A knock echoes from the door just as she's finishing pinning my hair, and Jasper walks in, fully dressed in a three-piece navy blue suit, looking more dashing than ever.
He smiles slightly, looking at me, and hands me a rose boutonnière to pin to my gown, similar to the one on his jacket.
We're going as partners because it's a strict dinner where everyone must come in pairs due to the dancing, and I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather go with.
"Thank you," I say, accepting the pin.
"You look beautiful," he compliments genuinely.
I nod, taking one last look at myself in the full-length mirror.
"You don't have to stay through the entire night, Sera," Olivia nags, holding her hands together.
"It's okay," I assure her.
I wish she could come; she'd stick by my side all night, being an emotional bodyguard. Sadly, she didn't get an invite.
The dinner is strictly by invitation, for relatives of high court members under the King's direct supervision, along with rich privileged wolves of high rankings and a few top-tier humans to maintain friendly relations.
The wedding itself, however, is open to all.
"Shall we?" Jasper offers his arm.
I pause, questioning if I can really do this-face Artemis without combusting into tears or falling apart on the spot, without my powers going haywire.
I decide to risk it, or I'd never see him again.
I take his arm, taking a deep breath.
"Let's do this."
We walk out hand in hand, leaving for the venue. A limo waits outside to take us to the royal wedding's rehearsal dinner at an exclusive off-campus site.
We arrive, and Jasper steps out, hurrying to the other side to open my door and offering his hand like a gentleman.
We walk hand in hand into the lavish hall, its walls seemingly made of gold and diamonds, every bit of it screaming generational wealth.
For the first time, I glimpse the kind of money Artemis comes from and realize how different our backgrounds are. Another sign it was never meant to be.
As we enter, I'm acutely aware of a few eyes watching me, some students from school, whispers spreading while more eyes turn in our direction.
I can guess what they're discussing-Artemis' recent conquest, the girl who thought she'd be endgame, tossed aside for the rightful owner of Artemis' heart. It's a story I've heard spun among the students, but I don't care.
It's all going to end soon enough, after tonight.
Jasper notices the gossips and glares at them, forcing them to look away before guiding me to the refreshment table.
I'm greeted by an overwhelming array of exotic meals I've never seen, but my stomach is too full of anxiety to eat.
"Hey... Sera. Hi, Jasper," a familiar voice says from behind me.
Turning around, I lock eyes with Juliet, dressed just as elegantly as everyone else.
"Juliet? You're here?" I blurt out, surprised, not meaning to sound shocked that she would be at a party like this, especially given the typical segregation among their kind.
She laughs nervously, my question clearly making her feel awkward.
"Uhm, my father recently joined the council... after the whole fiasco with Kamila. You see, he's a Zeta, unlike me and my mom."
"Oh..." I immediately regret asking, realizing how personal this topic is for her.
Juliet is so much more than just a member of my campaign team and a fan. I wish I had taken the time to get to know her better amidst everything else going on.
"It's fine... I don't really like talking about it, but I'm glad you know now," she says, and I place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, grateful for her understanding.
Suddenly, the background music comes to a halt, and the mood in the room shifts. Everyone's gaze turns toward the grand staircase at the center of the room, and a softer melody begins to play.
The room falls silent.
"Presenting His Royal Majesty, Alpha King Silvan," announces a voice.
The crowd begins clapping as King Silvan descends the stairs, dressed in lavish attire befitting his status, his characteristic charming smile in place as he acknowledges everyone's reverence.
I think the moment is over, but then the crowd's attention remains fixed on the top of the stairs, filled with murmurs and gasps.
"Presenting the Crown Prince and Princess, and the future of our Wolfdom, Artemis Sinclair and Kamila Wildheart."
The crowd erupts in excitement, clapping as Artemis and Kamila begin their descent. My heart constricts painfully at the sight. They walk down hand in hand, looking like the epitome of a perfect couple.
Kamila is stunning in a red velvet dress with a long train and thousands of tiny gems, making her look like she's adorned in stars.
Artemis, by her side, is radiant in a deep black tux that complements her dress perfectly.
I struggle to breathe, trying to control my emotions, but it becomes even harder when Artemis' head turns slightly, as if sensing my presence.
Our eyes meet, and in that moment, the weight of everything we've been through and everything that's about to happen crashes down on me.