Seraphina's heart raced as the masked figure's words echoed in her ears. The Everflame. The key. It all felt too heavy, too much to bear. She stood frozen in place, unable to tear her gaze away from the stranger whose presence felt like an unsettling storm gathering on the horizon.
"You don't know what you're dealing with," she said, her voice barely a whisper, yet it carried a weight of defiance. "The prophecy isn't just some story. It's a warning."
The masked man took a step closer, his movements smooth and deliberate, like a predator circling its prey. "Oh, I know exactly what it is. And I know exactly what you are, Seraphina." His voice was low, a harsh rasp that sent a chill through her.
"I'm not who you think I am," she replied, feeling the fear twist in her gut. But there was something in his eyes—something that made her question her own certainty. What if she was wrong? What if she was meant to awaken the Everflame not to save her kingdom, but to destroy it?
"You are the Lightbearer," he said, as though stating a simple fact. "The one destined to bring the flame back to life. And when it does, the kingdom will fall—or rise, depending on which side you choose."
Seraphina shook her head. "I won't be a pawn in your game."
He laughed, though the sound was devoid of humor. "You were never a pawn, princess. You were always the queen. You just don't realize it yet."
Her pulse quickened. "What do you want from me?"
"Nothing," he said, taking another step closer, his eyes boring into hers. "But I want you to know the truth. You are not just a princess. You are the heir to a power far greater than the kingdom you know. The Everflame is yours to command. All you need to do is embrace it."
Seraphina's breath caught in her throat. The Everflame—the key to untold power. The key to everything. Could it be that all along, the fire inside her, the magic she struggled to control, was not a gift, but a curse?
The masked man took one final step forward, his figure almost looming over her. "Embrace your destiny, Seraphina. Or watch it destroy you."
---
As the night air grew colder, the man turned away, his cloak billowing around him like a shadow. "Remember," he said over his shoulder, "the Moonmarked always gets what he wants."
With that, he vanished into the darkness, leaving Seraphina standing alone in the garden, her heart heavy with dread.
---
Later that night, Seraphina found herself in her chambers, pacing restlessly. The moonlight poured in through the window, casting long shadows across the floor, and yet, for all its beauty, it felt like a harbinger of something terrible.
Her thoughts were a whirlwind. The prophecy. The Moonmarked. The Everflame.
"Am I supposed to destroy everything?" she whispered to herself. "Or save it?"
A knock at the door interrupted her spiral.
"Seraphina?" Cassian's voice was soft, but it held an unmistakable urgency. She opened the door to find him standing in the hallway, his brow furrowed with concern. "We need to talk."
She nodded silently and stepped aside to let him in.
Cassian walked into the room and closed the door behind him. "You're pale," he observed, his voice laced with worry. "What happened? The guards saw you near the garden. What was that about?"
Seraphina sank onto her bed, feeling the weight of the world settle on her shoulders. She couldn't meet his gaze. "It was him. The Moonmarked."
Cassian's face hardened at the mention of the name, but he quickly masked his reaction. "What did he say?"
"He—" She paused, her throat tightening. "He says I'm the key to the Everflame. That I can either bring the kingdom to ruin or save it, depending on the choice I make."
Cassian's expression grew more serious. He crossed the room and sat beside her. "Seraphina…"
"I don't know what to believe anymore," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I feel like everything I've ever known is a lie. The prophecy, my powers... they all feel like they're out of control. And I can't figure out who's right or wrong."
Cassian reached for her hand, his grip firm and steady. "You've always known what to do, Seraphina. It's in your heart. And you've never been alone in this."
She met his gaze then, seeing the unwavering loyalty in his eyes. But there was something more there too. Something deeper.
"You have me," he said quietly, his voice soft but intense. "No matter what happens. We'll face this together."
For a moment, the weight of her burden lightened, just enough for her to breathe. He was right. She wasn't alone.
But even with Cassian by her side, the darkness that threatened her kingdom loomed closer with each passing hour.
---
In the distance, the sound of hooves echoed through the quiet night. The Moonmarked's presence was growing stronger, and Seraphina knew, deep in her bones, that time was running out.
---