Seraphina's POV
I woke to find Cassian gone and a stranger standing guard inside my chambers.
Good morning, my lady. The man by the door had a scar running down his jaw and eyes that missed nothing. I'm Captain Marcus Thorne. The general assigned me as your personal guard.
I sat up quickly, clutching the covers. Inside my room?
The general's orders were clear—you're not to be left unprotected for a single moment. His expression was apologetic but firm. After yesterday's incident, he's taking no chances.
Yesterday. The poison. The dead woman's purple face.
I shoved the memories away. Where is the general?
Military council meeting. He'll return this afternoon. Marcus moved to stand by the window, giving me space. He asked that I escort you anywhere you wish to go today and teach you which areas are safe.
I studied him more carefully. Older than Cassian—maybe thirty-five. Built like someone who'd spent years fighting. But there was something familiar about him.
Then it clicked.
You're the guard from prison, I said slowly. The one who brought me extra bread.
His expression flickered with surprise. You remember.
I remember everyone who showed me kindness in hell. I climbed out of bed, wrapping a robe around myself. Why did you help me? And don't say it was your job. The other guards enjoyed making us suffer. You were different.
Marcus was quiet for a long moment. Because the general ordered your care, even when you were a prisoner. He specifically commanded that you receive adequate food, water, medical attention if needed. I was following his orders.
My chest tightened. He ordered that?
From the first day. Marcus met my eyes directly. He visited your cell once, did you know? Late at night, when he thought you were sleeping. He stood outside the bars for nearly an hour, just watching you. I asked him why, and he said... Marcus paused. He said he needed to make sure you were still alive. That some part of what he'd destroyed had survived.
I sat down heavily on the bed, mind reeling. Cassian had visited me in prison? Watched me sleep?
He's not what you think, my lady, Marcus continued quietly. He's not the monster people call him.
He killed my family, I said automatically. But the words felt hollow now. Rehearsed.
He followed orders that broke something inside him. There's a difference.
Is there?
Marcus moved closer, his voice dropping. I've served under the general for eight years. I've seen him lead impossible battles and make choices that saved thousands of lives. I've also seen him wake screaming from nightmares, crying names of people he couldn't save. His scarred face was grave. The man who ordered the Ashmont massacre died that night too. What's left is someone trying to figure out how to keep living with what he's done.
Tears burned my eyes. I blinked them back furiously. Why are you telling me this?
Because someone tried to kill you yesterday. And because the general is falling for a woman who hates him, and it's destroying him. Marcus's expression softened. You don't have to forgive him. But maybe try to see him clearly. Not as a monster or a hero. Just as a man who made terrible choices and has to live with them.
Elena arrived then, rescuing me from responding. As she helped me dress, Marcus outlined the day's safety protocols.
The east wing is off-limits—too many hidden passages. The gardens are safe only in daylight with guards present. Never accept food or drink from anyone but Elena or the general himself. And avoid Lord Crestwood at all costs.
Why Crestwood specifically? I asked.
Marcus's jaw tightened. Because the general suspects he's involved in something dangerous. And because men who betray once usually betray again.
That afternoon, Marcus escorted me through the fortress, teaching me safe routes and dangerous people. He pointed out allies—few and far between—and enemies who smiled with poisoned intentions.
Lady Isolde hates you because Lord Crestwood can't stop watching you, he explained. Even in court yesterday, his eyes followed you constantly. His obsession makes her desperate, and desperate people do foolish things. Like poisoning tea.
You think she did it?
I think she arranged it. But someone else suggested it first. Someone with more to gain from your death.
Who?
Marcus glanced around, then lowered his voice. The Emperor enjoys watching the general suffer. What better way than threatening the one thing Cassian actually cares about?
He doesn't care about me, I protested. He's just guilty.
Keep telling yourself that, my lady. Marcus's smile was sad. Maybe eventually you'll believe it.
That evening, Cassian finally returned. He looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes. He'd been awake all night guarding me, then gone straight to meetings.
Did Marcus take good care of you? he asked, removing his sword belt.
He told me you ordered my care in prison. I faced him directly. That you visited my cell at night. Why?
Cassian froze, his back to me. Marcus talks too much.
Answer the question.
He turned slowly. Because I'm the reason you were there. The reason you suffered. I couldn't undo it, but I could try to make it more bearable.
Why would you care? I was your enemy. Your prisoner.
You were an innocent woman paying for my choices. His voice roughened. Your father fought honorably. Your mother was kind. Your brother was just a child. They didn't deserve what happened. Neither did you.
Then why did it happen? I demanded. Why follow orders you knew were wrong?
Because I'm a coward. The words came out flat. Defeated. Because I was afraid the Emperor would hurt my sister if I refused. Because I've spent sixteen years being a perfect weapon, and I didn't know how to be anything else. Because when he gave me that order, I should have turned the sword on myself, but I chose to survive. His storm-gray eyes met mine, full of self-hatred. I chose wrong. And I'll carry that choice until I die.
Silence stretched between us, heavy with truth.
Your captain says you hate yourself more than I ever could, I said quietly.
Cassian's laugh was bitter. Marcus definitely talks too much.
Is it true?
Yes. No hesitation. I hate the man I became. The orders I followed. The blood on my hands that won't wash off no matter how hard I try. He moved to the window, staring out at darkness. You have every right to hate me, Seraphina. I won't ask you to stop. But if I can keep you alive, if I can protect you from the monsters in this court, maybe that's something. Maybe that's one person I didn't fail.
My throat tightened. You're the reason my family is dead.
He flinched like I'd struck him. I know.
You're the reason I spent six months in hell.
I know.
You're the reason I'll never hear my brother laugh again. Never see my father smile. Never— My voice cracked.
I know. His shoulders slumped. God, Seraphina, I know. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry it's the only thing I can say, and it's nowhere near enough, and I
A sharp knock interrupted. Marcus burst in without waiting for permission, his face grim.
General, we have a problem.
What kind of problem?
The serving girl who poured the tea yesterday? We found her an hour ago. Marcus's expression was stone. Dead. Throat cut. Someone made sure she couldn't talk.
Ice flooded my veins. So whoever ordered the poisoning is covering their tracks.
Yes. But there's more. Marcus pulled out a folded paper. This was found in her quarters. A letter with instructions. It's addressed to someone with the initial 'D.'
Damien.
Cassian took the letter, reading quickly. His face went white, then red with fury.
What does it say? I demanded.
He handed it to me with shaking hands.
The letter was brief: Make sure the Ashmont girl drinks from the marked cup. When she's dead, you'll receive the second payment as promised. Destroy this letter. —D
Damien ordered my murder, I whispered.
The man you loved tried to kill you, Cassian said, voice tight with rage. The man who swore to protect you paid someone to poison your tea.
But something didn't make sense. Why? What does he gain from my death?
Cassian and Marcus exchanged a look. A dark, knowing look that made my stomach drop.
Tell me, I demanded. What aren't you saying?
Seraphina
Tell me!
Cassian's jaw clenched. Because I think Damien was involved in your family's massacre. And I think he's afraid you'll discover the truth.
The room tilted. What?
I've been investigating quietly. His finances show Imperial payments starting right after Ashmont Keep fell. Payment for something. And someone leaked your father's defensive positions to our army. Someone with inside knowledge.
Understanding crashed over me like ice water.
Damien betrayed us, I breathed. He gave you our defenses. He helped you murder my family.
I don't know for certain yet, Cassian said quickly. But yes, I suspect
I didn't let him finish. I was already moving, grabbing the dagger from under my pillow.
Where are you going? Cassian demanded.
To get answers.
Seraphina, wait
But I was already at the door, rage burning through my veins like fire.
The man I'd loved had betrayed everything.
Had murdered my family for gold.
Had tried to kill me to hide his guilt.
And I was going to make him pay.
Even if it meant walking straight into a trap.
Stop her! Cassian shouted at Marcus.
But I was already running.
Running toward the truth.
Running toward revenge.
Running toward the man who'd destroyed everything.
And I didn't care what happened next.
Because some betrayals were worth dying to avenge.