Xavier
The ballroom shimmered beneath the chandeliers, golden light spilling like liquid honey across polished marble floors. The scent of jasmine and wine floated in the air. Gowns swirled, boots tapped, laughter chimed but it all felt distant. Like I was watching it from behind glass.
Something was wrong.
It wasn't the party. It wasn't the music.
It was her.
Seraphina or the woman everyone believed to be Seraphina.
She stood at the far end of the room, surrounded by nobles but utterly apart. Dressed in a dark sapphire gown that clung to her like moonlight on water, she looked every bit the royal Luna. But her posture was different poised, yes, but guarded. Her smile was perfect... too perfect. It didn’t meet her eyes. Her energy didn’t feel the same.
I’d danced with Seraphina befo
