The letter trembled in Seraphine's hand. The seal had been broken long ago - by trembling fingers and the weight of something she hadn't yet dared to face. Seraphine sat on the edge of the bed, reading in silence as the candlelight flickered across her face.
"My dear Seraphine,
We could do nothing when they took you.
Nothing when the court sealed your fate. We are grateful for your sacrifice - for keeping peace, for protecting both the kingdoms by going with him. Your strength has always been your crown. We pray you are safe and fulfilling your role. May the stars watch for you. "
That's it.
No apology.
No longing.
No we miss you.
Just grateful. Just sacrifice. Just role.
Seraphine's throat tightened. She stared at the letter until her vision blurred. She felt it then - the truth she'd been running from. Her hands curled into fists, the paper crumpling in her grip.
Not once. Not once did it say she was missed. Loved. Not once did it ask if she was well, if she was safe, if she was even happy.
It wasn't a letter from a mother. It was a report from a queen to her asset.
"I... " her voice cracked. "I always knew. Deep down. But I... hoped I was wrong. "
Valen didn't move.
"I wasn't a daughter to them, " She whispered. "I was a crown with a heartbeat. "
She turned to face him, eyes glassy but unbroken, her chest rising and falling like a storm barely held at bay.
"I fought for them. Killed for them. Even ready to be married off for their well. But they sold me the moment it benefitted them. "
Her eyes fluttered shut. A single tear fell.
That was it.
One tear.
One.
And something inside Valen snapped. He crossed the room in two strides, kneeling before her.
"I wasn't their daughter, "she said hollowly. " Just a convenient symbol. Something to be given away for peace. "
With every word, something twisted inside him. Something dark, something feral. It tasted like blood and vengeance, and it rose with every breath she took.
"She was your mother, " he spat. "And still, she dared to write that 'fulfilling your role. 'As if you were born to be used. As if you owe them peace."
His jaw clenched, dark eyes glinting with fury.
"If this is what love means in their kingdom, then I will burn that love to the ground. "
"Valen -"
"I will make them kneel, princess. I will make them see what they gave away. You were the last light in that crumbling empire. And they handed you to a monster. "
His hands cupped her face, with trembling hands.
"But I'll be that monster for you, " he whispered, voice shaking from the depth of emotion he could no longer cage. "If it means they'll never touch you again. If it means they'll suffer for ever letting you go. "
Her hands reached out, fingers brushing over his hair, "Valen, " She whispered, voice low. "Enough."
He didn't respond. His jaw was tight. Fangs still visible. The predator barely held back.
But when her palm slid down his face, cradling it, his breath hitched. She guided him gently, drawing him to rest his head on her lap. He resisted, just for a moment. Then gave in.
His face buried in her thigh, arms tightening around her waist like a lifeline.
Her fingers slid into his hair, brushing back the damp strands from his temple. Slow. Careful. Gentle.
Silence settled like silk between them.
And then her voice, almost too soft to be heard, "I don't know what we are. I don't know where this is going. But I don't hate this anymore. "A pause. Her thumb stroke his cheek. "I don't hate you. "
Valen's grip on her waist trembled.
"Serenyth, " he murmured, voice hoarse, broken.
She didn't answer. Instead, she leaned forward and kissed the top of his head.
Not a lover's kiss. Not yet.
But something deeper.
A promise. A beginning.