Chapter 12
POV: Prince Orion Vale
I could not stop thinking about that girl.
Ophelia.
Her eyes were mesmerizing… soft, yet dangerous in a way I could not explain.
I clenched my jaw.
Focus.
My sister needed me.
"The spell Seren cast will soon wear off. We need to hurry," I said to my men, my voice low but firm.
Every day, we returned to the bar, gathering information about the castle.
"How is the kingdom?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.
"The kingdom is a dark, enchanted place," one man said, taking a sip of his drink. "I even heard he kidnapped the Luminaria princess."
Another man chuckled, stroking his long black beard. "Oh yes, I have seen her. She is beautiful. But I trust our king… maybe he will use her to control both realms. Demons could rule the world after all."
My jaw tightened instantly.
My sister…?
Rage burned through me.
I almost lunged at him, but my guard quickly grabbed my arm.
"Don't, my prince. You will expose us," he whispered.
I forced myself to relax.
"Aye… demons to the world!" the man shouted, raising his cup.
"Demons to the world!" the entire bar echoed.
The sound grated against me.
But I kept my expression neutral.
Not yet.
"We need to move fast," I whispered to my men.
We returned to our hideout.
"Kolen, you will go to the palace tonight. Sneak in and get my sister out," I said, stroking my jaw.
Kolen hesitated. "The security is tight. We need allies first. I don't think we can save her today."
My eyes darkened.
I grabbed his collar and lifted him slightly.
"How dare you question my order? Whether you live or die, you bring Seraphina out."
Fear filled his eyes.
"Yes, my prince… I'm sorry."
I released him.
"Move."
The night air was cold as we passed through a lonely road. The distant sound of dragons screeching echoed through the sky, sending chills down my spine.
We hid in the bushes near the castle walls.
Kolen stepped forward, his movements stiff.
"Aye… I was sent to deliver herbs to the physician," he said nervously at the gate, holding a basket.
The guards exchanged looks before reluctantly opening it.
I watched closely.
Don't mess this up.
Inside, more guards stopped him.
"Hey, stop there."
"What are you doing here?"
Can't they see the basket? I clenched my fist.
"I'm here to deliver herbs to the physician," Kolen replied.
"What if he's an angel?" one guard muttered.
Kolen stiffened.
He's going to panic.
"Let me call Kieran—"
"Wait!" a voice interrupted.
A man stepped forward.
"Finally. Why did you take so long?" he said, clearly annoyed.
"Is this your new errand boy?" a guard asked.
"Yes. My last one ran away."
"Alright… go."
Kolen followed him.
I exhaled quietly.
Good.
POV: Seraphina Vale
Elara and I were talking.
I still couldn't believe I was speaking freely with a demon.
But she was different.
She didn't treat me like a prisoner… or a queen.
Just… human.
Maybe that's why I trust her.
Lucien had not come to my room for days.
And I was grateful for that.
A knock came.
My heart jumped.
"Come in," I said.
Please don't be him.
The door creaked open.
A man stepped in, dressed like a servant, his hood low.
My body went still.
I felt it immediately.
The aura.
The crest on his hand.
An angel.
What is he doing here? Does he want to die?
"The king sent me to deliver a message," he said, bowing.
Elara stood up and quietly left the room.
The wind slipped through the window, making the curtains sway.
I stepped closer.
"What are you doing here? Did my father send you? Are you mad?" I whispered urgently.
"My princess, we must act fast. There is no time. The demons are alert. We need to leave now," Kolen said.
My heart pounded.
"How many of you are here? Is my brother here?"
Fear gripped me.
They are too weak in this realm… they cannot fight here.
"I will not go," I said, shaking my head.
"My princess—please."
He stretched out his hand.
I hesitated.
Then slowly… I took it.
Maybe… I can finally go home.
We moved through the hallway.
The guards didn't stop us.
Didn't question us.
Something is wrong.
We entered a kitchen.
"How do you know this place?" I asked.
"Our spy told us everything. We are always ten steps ahead," Kolen replied.
We stepped outside—
Two guards blocked our path.
"Going somewhere?" one smirked.
Kolen drew his sword.
My breath hitched.
He raised it—
A signal.
Suddenly, my brother jumped over the wall, his men behind him.
Relief flooded me.
Orion…
But something felt off.
How did they break through so easily…?
More demons appeared.
Surrounding us.
"Where did they come from…?" I whispered.
Kolen glanced at me and smiled reassuringly.
Then—
A blade pierced through him.
Blood spilled.
He collapsed.
"No!" I screamed.
I turned—
Lucien.
Standing behind him.
Calm.
Cold.
"Going somewhere, freckles?" he said, a smirk on his lips.
My body froze.
My brother charged at him—
Lucien lifted his hand—
Orion slammed to the ground.
Effortless.
"You are just a minor prince," Lucien said. "I am a king."
He grabbed Orion by the neck.
I ran forward.
"Stop!"
But it was too late—
The blade struck.
My scream tore through the air.
"No… not my brother…"
He fell.
Lifeless.
I dropped beside him, my hands trembling.
Lucien grabbed me harshly.
"Let go of me, you monster!" I struggled.
"I will spare one of you," Lucien said coldly to the remaining guard. "Take your prince and leave."
The guard obeyed, transforming and flying away with Orion's body.
Lucien dragged me back inside.
My wrist burned under his grip.
"You are hurting me!" I cried.
"I will always hate you, Lucien!"
He stopped.
Turned.
"If you hate me… then hate me as your queen."
A chill ran through me.
He threw me onto the bed.
I tried to push him away.
"Get off me! You are heartless! You take advantage of people!"
He pinned my wrists down.
His presence is suffocating.
"I thought you would be different," I said, my voice shaking. "Even Riven is better than you."
Lucien's eyes darkened.
And for the first time—
Fear gripped me