Chapter 003
1732 Words
Aunty Cierra’s voice trembled as she stood before the children, her eyes red from countless tears.
“Kids… I’m so, so sorry for everything that has happened.” She clasped her hands tightly as if holding herself together. “Your parents have left the Lycan packs without a leader, and things are taking a turn for the worst. It’s… it’s my fault.” Her voice cracked. “They came to visit me. If I had just kept them longer, even five more minutes… maybe they wouldn’t have had trouble with the car. Maybe they would’ve lived.”
She paused, her eyes distant. “My sister. My best friend. She should still be here…”
Lylah, eyes glistening with fresh tears, rose slowly and walked to her aunt. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around her trembling frame. Aunty Cierra broke down, clutching her niece tightly.
Blake sat motionless, his expression blank. He hadn’t spoken a word since the news. The weight of loss pressed against his chest like an invisible chain. The silence around him was deafening, even as people moved and wept in the same room.
Aunty Cierra finally looked up. “I’ll stay at the castle,” she whispered. “I’ll take care of you both. You’re not alone.”
Seraphina stood at a distance, her arms crossed, her heart aching. She had no one to talk to, not really. Her relationship with Blake was still a secret. No one would understand her pain, and she couldn’t risk exposing him now, not with everything so fragile.
She said little during the funeral rites, standing quietly behind her father as he offered his condolences and made the necessary arrangements. As they prepared to leave, her gaze flickered back to the palace once more. She thought of Blake. Of his silence. Of the way his world was falling apart.
But hers was too just differently.
The days that followed were heavier than before. Still no word from Blake.
Seraphina found herself drifting to the old cherry blossom tree at the edge of the forest, their place. The petals had begun to fall, just like the memories they once painted together beneath its shade.
She sank to her knees, pressed her face into her hands, and cried.
“He’s gone,” she whispered to the tree. “He’s not dead, but he’s gone. He’s… somewhere else now. Somewhere I can’t reach.”
She lifted her tear-streaked face just as footsteps approached. She looked up, and there he was.
“Blake…” she breathed, almost not believing it.
Adolphus stood a few feet behind, keeping a respectful distance.
“Hey, Sera…” Blake said softly. “I’m sorry. For everything. I didn’t mean to shut you out. I just didn’t want them to know yet.”
Seraphina stood, brushing off her dress. Her eyes met his, full of hurt.
“So when are we going to stop hiding?” she asked sharply. “Blake, I have no real friends because of you. I’ve spent years being invisible to protect your name. I made you my priority… and what am I to you? A secret?”
He stepped closer, guilt flashing in his eyes. “Sera, you’ll understand everything soon. It’s… sooner than you think.”
He paused, his voice low and steady. “I’m being crowned in a few days. I’m supposed to choose a mate.” He took her by the waist and pulled her close. “That’s you, Sera.”
He kissed her gently, but something about it felt off. It wasn’t passionate. It wasn’t desperate. It was… rehearsed.
She kissed him back, but her mind wasn’t calm.
Something didn’t feel right.
She stepped back and wiped her eyes. “I need to go. Mom needs me for something.”
Blake nodded. “Alright.”
She gave him a small smile before turning away. It was enough to fool him for now.
As she walked away, his voice followed her.
“So… when can I see you again, love?”
She turned, brushing a tear from her cheek. “Tonight. At the townhouse. The one we planned before.”
He smiled faintly. “I’ll be there.”
Adolphus stepped forward once she was out of sight.
“Well, that looked intense,” he said casually, raising an eyebrow. “You two seem pretty deep in this love affair.”
Blake didn’t respond immediately.
“But seriously,” Adolphus continued, nudging his friend, “why all the secrecy? You’re the prince. Who would disapprove? She’s literally the most beautiful girl in the kingdom. She’s everyone's dream.” He smirked. “Even mine, once.”
Blake gave him a warning glare and smacked the back of his head. “Watch it.”
Adolphus chuckled. “Just saying. But really, man… why does it feel like there’s more going on? Are you okay?”
Blake exhaled, his gaze trailing the path Seraphina took. “Honestly? I don’t know. Everything feels like it’s falling apart. And I’m about to be crowned king.”
He looked at Adolphus. “I need her, man. But I’m not sure I can keep her safe. Not anymore.”
Adolphus clapped him on the back. “Then maybe it’s time to stop hiding her. She deserves more than that. So do you.”
The two turned and began the slow walk back to the palace, the weight of duty pressing harder than ever.
Seraphina stood in front of the mirror, gently smoothing the soft floral dress that hugged her form. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and took a deep breath, trying to still the fluttering in her chest. Her reflection looked radiant, but it was the thought of Blake the warmth of his eyes, the promise in his voice that made her glow from within.
She needed to see him. More than anything.
With her parents still asleep, she slipped quietly out of the house. The night air was cool, brushing against her skin as she hurried down the quiet path. Her heart beat faster with each step, not from fear, but from anticipation.
When she arrived at the townhouse, Blake was already there, standing under the soft glow of the porch light. And just behind him, as usual lately, stood Adolphus silent, alert, keeping his distance like a shadow.
Seraphina barely looked his way. She didn’t care who saw them. Not tonight.
Blake’s eyes met hers, and a soft smile curved his lips.
“You look beautiful tonight, Sera... my queen.”
She smiled, her heart swelling at the way he said it—as if the world was right again. He reached for her hand and laced their fingers together.
“Let’s go in,” he said gently.
Inside, the house was dim and quiet. Dust floated in the air, illuminated by the soft lantern light they’d brought. It had been untouched for weeks, but tonight, it felt alive again because they were together.
They settled on the old couch, their hands never parting. The silence between them was warm, not heavy.
Seraphina leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’ve missed you.”
Blake tightened his grip on her hand. “I know. I missed you too. I just... didn’t know how to talk. Everything happened so fast.”
“Blake,” she whispered, “you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here. I’ve always been here.”
He exhaled slowly. “I know. And I’ve been unfair. Hiding you. Pretending we were something... secret, when you were the only thing that kept me going.”
Her voice was soft but firm. “Then stop hiding me.”
He looked at her, pain flickering in his eyes. “It’s not just about us anymore. The court... the elders... they expect me to marry a political match. Someone... useful.”
Seraphina sat up straight, wounded. “So I’m not useful?”
“No, no, Sera,” Blake caught her hands, his voice low and urgent, “you’re everything. But if I choose you, they’ll push back. Hard. I’m still trying to figure out how to do this without endangering you.”
A pause.
“Sometimes I wonder if you’re protecting me… or protecting yourself,” she said quietly.
That hit him harder than he expected. “I’m protecting us.”
“Then fight for us,” she said. “I don’t care if the kingdom knows. Let them know I’m yours.”
Blake looked at her then, really looked. There was no hesitation in her eyes. Only love and the ache of being kept in the dark for too long.
“You’re right,” he said after a long pause. “I’ve been a coward.”
She leaned into him again, resting her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“I just want to be with you,” she whispered. “Even if it’s in secret, for now. Just promise me... you won’t disappear again.”
He kissed the top of her head and held her tighter. “I promise. I love you, Sera. Never forget that.”
She smiled softly, sleep creeping into her eyes.
“I love you too,” she murmured.
Moments later, she was asleep in his arms, peaceful and warm against him. Blake sat still for a while, watching her, something unreadable in his expression.
Sunlight spilled softly into the room through a cracked window. Seraphina stirred, stretching slightly before her eyes fluttered open.
The space beside her was empty.
She sat up quickly, scanning the room.
“Blake?” she called out.
No answer.
She stood, brushing her hands over her dress, her heart sinking. He was gone. No note. No message. Not even a goodbye.
She looked at the couch where they'd curled up together just hours before. It still held the shape of him. But he had vanished like a ghost in the night.
Seraphina whispered to herself, her voice a bitter hush.
“Not even a goodbye.”
She straightened her dress, brushing the wrinkles from the fabric, and took one last look around the room. The laughter from the night before still echoed faintly in her mind, but it felt far away now.
She gathered her stuff and stepped into the morning light, trying to figure out an excuse that she'd give to her parents.
- Writer
