I had known something was off the moment I received the summons.
It wasn't that I didn't expect to be called back to the Queen's castle—I had made it to the final five, after all—but there was an odd heaviness in the air, a strange tension that made my gut twist in uncomfortable ways. I tried to shake it off, chalk it up to nerves, but the feeling stayed with me, gnawing at the back of my mind like a persistent whisper.
Gwen had noticed it too. She hadn't said anything outright, but I could feel her eyes on me as we made the journey back to the castle. She was nervous, though she tried to hide it behind quiet encouragements, telling me that this was my moment, that everything we'd worked for was finally coming together.
But I wasn't so sure.
The Queen's castle loomed ahead, its towering spires reaching into the sky like dark fingers. I swallowed the lump in my throat, straightening my back as we entered the gates. The guards nodded at us, their expressions unreadable, and my heart raced faster with each step we took through the castle halls.
When we were finally led into the Queen's private chambers, the unease settled like a rock in my stomach. Queen Metanoia stood by the window, her figure bathed in the soft light of the afternoon sun. She didn't turn to greet me immediately, and that only deepened my worry. Gwen lingered near the door, her presence a comforting shadow.
The Queen finally turned, her expression warm but... somber.
"Seraphina of Orphic," she began, her voice steady, yet with an undertone of regret that made my skin prickle. "You've come far—much farther than anyone could have anticipated. Your strength, your courage, your passion for justice... It's rare. And it's precisely what we need in a leader."
My chest tightened. This wasn't the tone of someone announcing my triumph. It felt like the prelude to an apology.
"I was deeply moved by your speech," she continued, "and I was prepared to make you my chosen candidate. But... something has come to light."
I stood there, heart pounding, waiting for the hammer to drop.
The Queen sighed softly, glancing at the far door. "Your new advisor has informed me of certain... complications regarding your candidacy."
Advisor? What advisor? I hadn't been appointed one. My thoughts scrambled, trying to make sense of what she was saying, but the door behind the Queen opened quietly, and then I saw her.
Eleri Von Naia.
My blood ran cold.
She stepped into the room, her lips curving into a smile, her eyes—those eyes that had haunted my nightmares—fixing on me with a possessiveness that made me feel like prey. Eleri, the woman who had torn my life apart, the woman who had kidnapped me, tortured Draganir, and reveled in every moment of it. The one I had spent years running from.
And now, she was standing here, as my so-called advisor, smiling like we were old friends.
I couldn't breathe.
"I regret to inform you," the Queen said, her voice softer now, though it felt distant in the storm of my panic, "that an active warrant remains for your arrest, Seraphina. I wasn't aware of it until your advisor brought it to my attention."
Advisor. The word twisted like a knife.
"The laws are clear," the Queen continued. "Anyone under active investigation or with a criminal record is not permitted to participate in the voting event. I don't know how this oversight occurred, but... I must follow the law. You should never have been allowed to enter."
My heart sank. Eleri had done this. She had found me, wormed her way into the Queen's inner circle, and waited for the perfect moment to destroy me—again.
The Queen's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw genuine regret there. "I'm sorry, Seraphina. You have done nothing to dishonor this kingdom, and I understand why you acted as you did. But I cannot choose you. I must move forward with the other candidate."
Every word felt like a death sentence. It was over. After everything—after all the sacrifices, the running, the fight to clear my name—I had lost. Not because of my failings, but because of Eleri.
I tried to speak, to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come. My throat was tight, my mind racing as I felt Eleri's gaze burning into me. I couldn't let her win. Not again. Not like this.
The Queen, as if sensing my turmoil, stepped closer. "I do not wish for you to be punished further. I understand why you ran. For that reason, I have not ordered your arrest. In fact, I would like to speak with you privately about your situation... perhaps we can find a way to resolve this quietly."
Resolve this? I didn't know if it was even possible to resolve this. Not with Eleri standing in the shadows, waiting to sink her claws into me again. But I nodded, numb, not trusting myself to speak.
"For now," the Queen continued, "you and your friend may stay here at the palace. I will arrange for rooms. You are not a prisoner, Seraphina. This is not an end, only... a pause."
"A pause," I echoed softly, though it didn't feel like a pause. It felt like the ground had just been ripped out from under me.
Gwen stepped forward then, her presence like a lifeline as she placed a hand on my shoulder. "Can I stay with her?"
The Queen smiled faintly. "Of course. I will ensure you are both comfortable."
Comfortable. Right. Because comfort was what I needed now, with Eleri Von Naia lurking in the same building, watching my every move.
I forced a smile, thanking the Queen through gritted teeth, and followed Gwen out of the room, my mind spinning with a thousand thoughts, all of them circling back to one terrible truth.
I wasn't safe. Not here. Not now. Not with her.