The morning after the duel felt like the calm before a storm.
Kade sat alone in the war chamber, eyes scanning a scroll detailing the outer patrol routes. The island was restless—his Matriarchs even more so. Though Calindra had left without bloodshed, her magic still clung to the walls of the castle like perfume. Dangerous. Alluring. Poisonous.
The doors creaked open behind him.
He didn't need to turn. He felt her—light-footed, graceful, burning like moonlight behind silk.
"Seraphine," he murmured. "You're not usually up this early."
The elf Matriarch didn't answer right away. She stepped beside him in silence, her eyes drifting toward the sea map pinned against the wall. Her long silver hair was unbraided for once, cascading like starlight down her back.
"You've changed everything," she said quietly. "You've made enemies out of old allies. And now… they're coming."
Kade frowned, sensing a deeper meaning. "Who's coming?"
Seraphine finally turned to him—and in her emerald eyes, he saw fear. Real fear.
"My sister."
---
The revelation hit like a blade between ribs.
"You have a sister?" Kade said, standing. "Why haven't you told me this before?"
"Because I was exiled from my clan," she said, folding her arms. "We were priestesses of the Eternal Bloom. Worshippers of the Moon Flame. I abandoned our traditions the moment I swore myself to you."
Kade's eyes narrowed. "And your sister didn't take that well."
"She took it… personally."
---
By nightfall, Seraphine's words had become prophecy.
A silver ship appeared on the horizon—sleek, glowing faintly with lunar runes. No sails. It cut across the water like a blade. It docked at the eastern port without permission. The island's wards did not react. The reason?
She was kin.
Seraphine stood at Kade's side, armor half-fastened, heart racing. "Her name is Lysaria. She was the next High Priestess after I fell."
"And now?"
"She's here to bring me back—or bury me beneath the waves."
---
The throne room lit up as Lysaria entered.
She looked like Seraphine—but colder. Taller. She wore white armor engraved with golden vines. Her eyes glowed like opals, and behind her trailed three pale elven acolytes—silent, veiled, and deadly.
"I come not for your war," Lysaria said, her voice honey over steel. "Only for her."
Seraphine stepped forward. "I won't return to chains, Lysaria."
Lysaria smiled. "Then I will break them with fire."
---
Tension flared between them, but Kade stepped in.
"I am Master of this island. Seraphine is mine—by oath, by soul. If you challenge her, you challenge me."
Lysaria turned slowly, regarding him with curiosity. "So you are the mortal king who plays god."
"I don't play anything," Kade said. "I win."
Lysaria's eyes sparked. "Then win her from me."
---
The duel was spiritual—not of blades, but of memories and loyalty. Seraphine had to walk into the Eclipse Circle, a sacred rite of the Bloom where both her past and present would be laid bare.
In the center of the circle, two lights appeared—one silver, one red. Seraphine stood between them.
"Choose," Lysaria said. "Return to our flame… or burn it with your new master."
Kade watched from the edge, silent. He knew she had to make the choice.
Tears welled in Seraphine's eyes as memories flooded her—days of sisterhood, moonlit rituals, whispers of fate and duty. And yet…
She looked toward Kade. At everything they'd built.
"I'm not the girl you abandoned," she whispered. "I am his. And I would burn every last temple before I ever kneel to you again."
---
Light erupted from the circle.
The silver flame shattered.
Lysaria flinched as the eclipse swallowed her mark. Her connection to Seraphine—severed.
Kade stepped forward and caught Seraphine as she collapsed into his arms. Her lips trembled.
"I chose you, Master."
---
Lysaria watched them in silence. And then, with a bitter smile, turned away.
"This isn't over," she whispered. "The Bloom never forgets."
She vanished in silver mist.
---
Later that night, Kade stood beside Seraphine on the balcony. She leaned into him, bruised but free.
"Do you regret it?" he asked.
She shook her head slowly. "No. You made me more than a priestess. You made me feel… alive."
He touched her cheek. "Then live, Seraphine. With me."
And with that, he kissed her—soft, slow, and deep—as the sea glittered beneath the stars.