Darkness devoured her.
Seraphina fell through the void, Mason's fading voice echoing in her ears—his hand slipping from hers like smoke. Her body tumbled weightlessly, the world around her reduced to silence and stars. But even in that endless black, the moonflower pressed against her heart still pulsed faintly.
Then—light.
Blinding. Sudden. Soft.
She gasped awake.
The silk sheets beneath her were familiar. The scent of jasmine and sage wafted through the chamber. Golden light poured through carved windows, and the soft trill of distant birdsong signaled dawn. She blinked rapidly, unsure if this was still part of the dream.
Then—
"Seraphina?!"
A voice she hadn't heard in what felt like centuries.
Maelis.
Before she could even sit up, her maid burst into the room, skirts flying, face red from crying and running. Without hesitation, Maelis flung herself at Seraphina, wrapping her in a trembling embrace.
"By the stars! You're alive! They said you vanished, that maybe—maybe you were dead! I—" Her voice cracked as fresh tears spilled. "I never stopped waiting. I kept your room just as you left it."
Seraphina hesitated for a heartbeat, then returned the hug with a shaky smile. "I missed you too, Maelis."
"You don't know how quiet the palace became without you," Maelis whispered, pulling back to study her. "Where did you go? What happened? You look… different."
Seraphina touched the moonflower still tucked beneath her robes. "It's a long story. I'll explain everything. But first, tell me what's been happening here."
Maelis straightened instantly, brushing her hair back with a sigh. "Oh, my lady… you won't believe the mess."
Seraphina arched a brow.
"While you were gone, Concubine Sun took control of the inner palace. Her brother—General Sun—is close to Emperor Kai. The emperor trusts him more than the court itself. And Concubine Sun has been using that power to make every other concubine loyal to her. She's now… well, she calls herself The First Flame of the Harem."
Seraphina's brows knitted. "And Emperor Kai allows this?"
Maelis hesitated. "He's been too focused on your disappearance and… the wedding."
Seraphina's heart tightened.
"The wedding?"
Maelis nodded, cheeks flushed. "Yes. You're to be married to the emperor in two days. Everything's prepared. The red veil, the silver phoenix crown… You'll be the Empress, Seraphina. Emperor Kai announced it to the ministers himself. He's been planning it for weeks. Said he had a vision that you'd return."
Seraphina turned away, her hands curling at her sides. She never wanted this crown. Not like this. Not tied to a man she didn't love.
But if becoming Empress gave her the power she needed… she'd wear it like armor.
Maelis studied her for a moment, then added gently, "I know you don't love him. But maybe this is fate. You've always been destined for more."
Before Seraphina could reply, the chamber door swung open.
Arabella entered first—her white cloak trailing like starlight. Mira followed close behind, eyes wide with wonder.
"Arabella…" Maelis gasped, stumbling back a step. "You're… no. That's not possible. You—You died in the fire. I saw your—"
Arabella stepped forward and embraced her. "Not dead. Just hidden for a long time."
Maelis broke down all over again, hugging her fiercely. "The gods brought you both back to me…"
Mira grinned and waved. "Hi. I'm new to all this palace drama, but you give great hugs."
The group laughed lightly—a rare moment of peace between storms.
But Seraphina's expression remained distant, unreadable.
Maelis noticed.
"There's more, isn't there?" she whispered. "Something deeper than this crown. Something happened."
Seraphina didn't answer. She walked to the tall windows overlooking the vast courtyard—the place where the Empress would be crowned.
Two days.
Two days to wear a crown she never asked for.
But she remembered Mason's face. His strength. His fall. His return.
This wasn't just about power anymore.
It was about saving him.
She turned as Arabella came to her side. Their eyes met, silent understanding passing between sisters.
"I have to go through with this," Seraphina said.
Arabella nodded. "Then I'll be at your side."
Seraphina took a breath, straightened her shoulders, and looked out toward the golden banners fluttering over the imperial roof.
"If they want me to become Empress… I will."
She pressed the embroidered handkerchief to her heart—the flower glowing faintly again.
"But I'll rule on my own terms. And no concubine, no general, no shadows will stop me from finding him. Not even Emperor Kai."
From behind her, Maelis whispered like a prayer, "Then may the fire within you never dim."
Seraphina lifted her chin.
"Let the palace games begin."
A soft knock broke the stillness.
Maelis rushed to answer it. A palace maid stepped in, bowing low. "Forgive the intrusion, Lady Seraphina. His Majesty, Emperor Kai, has summoned you to the Plum Blossom Hall."
The tension in the room tightened.
So soon?
Seraphina turned away from the window. "Very well," she said coolly. "Inform him I'll be there shortly."
The maid bowed again and exited, leaving silence behind.
Arabella gave her a side glance. "Do you want me to come with you?"
Seraphina shook her head. "Not yet. This is something I have to face alone."
Maelis bit her lip. "Please be careful, Seraphina. Concubine Sun might already be in the hall."
"She won't try anything today," Seraphina murmured, smoothing her robes. "Not while the Emperor is watching."
Still, as she stepped through the familiar corridors of the palace, her every footstep echoed like a drumbeat of coming war. The servants she passed bowed deeply, some murmuring blessings, others eyeing her warily—many had already pledged their loyalty to Concubine Sun.
She entered the Plum Blossom Hall in silence.
Inside, it was warm and filled with golden light. Emperor Kai stood at the center in his ceremonial robes, his dark hair loose over his shoulders, a rare expression of relief breaking across his usually unreadable face.
"Seraphina," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "You're really here."
She bowed slowly. "Your Majesty."
He approached her, searching her eyes as if trying to confirm she was truly flesh and not illusion. "Where have you been? I sent soldiers to the corners of the empire—no one could find you."
"I went where I had to go," she said simply. "But now I've returned."
Emperor Kai reached for her hand, hesitating. "And will you still become my Empress?"
Her throat tightened.
She didn't want to love him. She didn't even want to trust him.
But she wanted the power. She wanted control. And she wanted to protect those she cared about.
"Yes," she said at last. "I will."
A long silence stretched between them. Then, unexpectedly, Kai smiled.
"I've waited too long for this."
Before she could respond, another voice cut through the moment.
"Well, isn't this lovely."
Concubine Sun stood in the doorway, her crimson gown like spilled wine on the floor. She stepped forward, her golden hairpins gleaming in the light, every inch of her a picture of smug elegance.
"I heard the ghost of the palace had returned," she said with a mocking smile. "Seems the rumors were true."
Seraphina turned toward her slowly, her face calm. "Concubine Sun."
Sun tilted her head. "Forgive me. I forget—you'll be Empress soon. But let's not pretend we're friends. You disappeared for months. Some of us had to maintain order in your absence."
Emperor Kai's expression darkened. "That's enough, Concubine Sun."
But she only bowed with mock sweetness. "Of course, Your Majesty. I only came to pay my respects." Her eyes slid to Seraphina, cold and calculating. "I'm sure you'll… adjust quickly. The palace has changed a great deal."
She turned and glided out, leaving the faintest scent of venom in her wake.
Seraphina remained silent, her jaw tight.
"She fears you," Emperor Kai said quietly. "That's why she attacks."
"She should," Seraphina replied, eyes flashing. "Because I'm not the same girl who left."
Kai studied her for a long moment. "Whatever happened to you… it made you stronger."
She met his gaze. "It had to."
Kai reached out and finally took her hand. "Then let's prepare for the wedding. I want the whole empire to see you rise."
She didn't pull her hand back. But deep inside, her thoughts were already racing—calculating.
Two days.
She would wear the crown, not as his queen… but as her own weapon.
As they walked side by side toward the inner court, a shadow moved across the hall ceiling, unseen. A faint pulse echoed from the moonflower hidden beneath her sleeve.
The Soul Keeper may have vanished—but the war was only beginning.