Chapter 2

I'm brought straight to Queen Seraphina.

The Gilded Hall is exactly what you'd expect — dripping with silk, gold everywhere, jewels stacked on jewels. And there she sits, alone on a raised platform like she's holding court. Crown pins. Gemstone earrings. Rings on every finger.

This is the woman who wiped out my bloodline because she wanted to look pretty forever.

This is the woman who killed my sister.

She takes one look at me and her face crumples with disgust. Presses her lacquered nails against her lips. "This ugly little thing is supposed to dance for me?"

Before I came, I dotted my face with fake freckles. Dark ones. Clusters of them. Covered every inch.

Because I know what Seraphina is. She's the kind of woman who'd slit your throat for being prettier than her. If she saw my real face right now, I'd be dead by dinner.

I kneel on the stone floor, nails biting into my palms so hard I almost bleed. Every cell in my body is screaming — kill her, kill her now — but I press it all down and make my voice small.

"Your Majesty, I'll wear a veil during the performance. You won't have to see my face."

She snorts. "Well. You're certainly no threat to anyone looking like that. If the King wants to send me a pet dancer, fine. I'll take his little gift."

She flicks her wrist. The matron drags me out.

I'm barely through the door when I nearly slam into Aldric.

He glances at me — and I see the confusion flash across his face. This freckled, plain-looking girl is nothing like the moonlit beauty from last night.

But the scent doesn't lie.

He knows exactly why I did it. He knows that if Seraphina had seen my real face, he'd be stepping over my corpse right now.

Something dark crosses his expression. His jaw tightens. And for the first time — just barely — I see anger toward his queen flicker behind his eyes.

I let the corner of my mouth lift. Just a fraction.

That's all it takes. One tiny seed of doubt. One hairline crack. It'll sit in the back of his mind and fester — grow roots, spread, until it's something he can't dig out no matter how hard he tries.

And when that day comes? All of Seraphina's power, her family, her precious position — it'll just mean she's got further to fall.

I go back to my room. Wash the fake freckles off.

Seraphina. You wanted supernatural beauty? Eternal youth?

I'm going to make sure everything you stole turns to dust in your hands.

Fang slides up my wrist. I stroke his tiny head.

"Soon," I whisper. "She goes first. Straight to hell. To apologize to my sister in person."

The day of Seraphina's birthday, the castle goes all out.

Water lilies have bloomed overnight across the entire surface of Sunset Lake — which everyone takes as some kind of divine blessing. Lucky omen. Great sign.

Aldric stands at the shore with Seraphina on his arm. She's beaming. "So — my gift. When do I get it?"

He nods. The music starts.

I step onto the lily pads.

Each step barely touches the water — light as breathing, precise as a blade. That scent rolls off me again, and the fireflies come pouring out of the darkness, hundreds of them, spiraling around my body like a living constellation.

Every single person watching has gone slack-jawed. Frozen. Like they forgot how to blink.

Every single person except Seraphina, who's digging her nails into her own palms hard enough to draw blood.

Mid-spin, my veil slips.

And there it is. My real face. No freckles. No disguise. Just — me.

I turn toward Seraphina and smile.

The hatred in her eyes is so raw it's almost a living thing.

The dance ends. Nobody moves. Nobody makes a sound.

Until I kneel in front of Aldric.

"For the Queen’s birthday, this humble dancer offers her best. May your reign with the King be long, and may your joy never fade."

"Long live the Aurelia Empire!"

I don't know when Aldric let go of Seraphina's hand. But it's gone now.

He reaches down toward me. His voice is soft. "Rise. You didn't disappoint."

Seraphina's jaw is clenched so tight I'm shocked her teeth don't shatter. She forces a smile. "What a charming gift, my lord. I love it."

"Good," Aldric says, barely looking at her.

The Mindworm's been doing its job — pulling his attention, stirring his emotions. But it's too risky to leave in much longer. I curl my finger, ready to call it back —

And that's when a voice slices through the crowd.

"Your Majesty — how about you give this beauty to me? Consider it a peace offering between our kingdoms."