The Oath
507 Words
That night, he returned to Seraphina’s chamber—eyes shadowed, shoulders tight.
She rushed to him. “Adrien—what happened?”
“They want to torture you,” he said through clenched teeth. “They think you know Ravenna’s new battle plans. They want you transferred to the lower cells.”
Seraphina paled.
“And what did you tell them?”
“I told them…” He swallowed hard. “…that they will take you only over my dead body.”
Her breath hitched.
“Adrien,” she whispered, horrified and moved all at once, “you can’t keep sacrificing everything for me.”
He cupped her cheek.
“I’m not sacrificing anything. I’m choosing you.”
She trembled—because she wanted to choose him too.
Because she already had.
The Oath
They stepped onto the balcony, the night wind cool against their faces.
Adrien grabbed a small dagger from his belt.
Seraphina stiffened.
“What are you—?”
“Give me your hand,” he murmured.
She hesitated, then extended it.
He sliced a shallow cut across his palm—and then across hers.
Their blood mingled as he pressed their hands together.
“Adrien—”
“Seraphina of Ravenna,” he whispered, voice fierce and reverent, “I swear on my life, my crown, and my name… that I will protect you until my last breath.”
Her throat tightened painfully.
“And I—” she whispered, voice shaking “—swear on my honor, my blade, and my heart… that I stand with you. Against anyone. Even my own kingdom.”
Their hands trembled together—blood oath sealing them in a bond neither kingdom would tolerate.
He pulled her into a desperate kiss, their blood marking their lips, their hearts pounding in wild unison.
When they finally broke apart, Adrien rested his forehead against hers.
“Seraphina… marry me.”
Her breath caught.
“What?”
He held her face between his hands.
“I don’t want to hide behind shadows and danger anymore. I want you as my wife. No council. No king. Just us.”
Her heart thundered.
Her breath shook.
Her world shattered and rebuilt in the same instant.
“Adrien… it’s impossible.”
“Then we’ll make it possible.”
Tears stung her eyes.
“This will ignite war.”
He shook his head.
“Seraphina—we are the end of war. You know it.”
She closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, a decision had formed in her soul—solid, undeniable.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“I will marry you.”
The smile that spread across Adrien’s face was pure, unfiltered joy.
He swept her into his arms and kissed her with a fire that consumed the very air between them.
The Secret Ceremony
They fixed a date.
They found a priest willing to risk everything.
They began planning the most dangerous union in history.
And for the first time since her birth, Seraphina dared to hope.
- Writer
