Chapter 20: The Bond That Burns (Lead-in)
The room had gone quiet again.
Too quiet.
Seraphina stood near the window, staring at the dark forest stretching beyond the North castle walls. The moon hung high above, silver light spilling across the snow-covered grounds.
But her mind wasn't on the moon.
It was on him.
Dominic Volkov.
Ever since the ritual chamber... ever since the strange mark had burned against her skin... something had changed.
No.
Something had awakened.
She lifted her hand slowly and touched the place near her collarbone.
Heat.
Again.
A small breath escaped her lips.
"Why now...?" she whispered.
Behind her—
"Because you're thinking about me."
Her entire body stiffened.
Slowly, she turned.
Dominic stood at the doorway, dressed in black, his broad shoulders
