SERAPHINA
I stare at the open trunk on my bed, my hands shaking as I fold another one of Azriel's shirts. Dawn is only an hour away. After he stormed out of the chapel yesterday, Father spent the night trying to find legal loopholes while Mother held me as I cried. But we all knew the truth. There is no fighting this. Not without war.
"Mama?" Azriel's small voice comes from the doorway. "Why are you crying?"
I touch my face and realize tears are streaming down my cheeks. I wipe them away quickly and turn to find him clutching his stuffed wolf, the one Elena made him when he was three. His eyes are wide with confusion and fear.
"Come here, sweetheart." I abandon the packing and cross the room, kneeling in front of him. My heart fractures at how small he looks, how frightened. "We need t
