Chapter 48: A Shoulder To Lean On

𖤐••{SERAPHINE’S POV}••⛧

Once Rhiannon and Nayeesha are gone, the room falls completely silent.

My chest is still heaving and rage still simmers beneath my skin like it hasn’t decided whether it wants to keep burning or fade.

I close my eyes and force myself to take deep breaths.

The heat slowly drains from my body, and the anger gradually loosens its grip. The moment it’s all gone, it leaves something worse behind.

Clarity.

The second my daughter comes to mind, I hear a pained groan, low and broken, coming from behind me.

"Azeria," I say, turning toward her.

She’s lying on the floor at the far side of the chamber. The wall I threw her into is covered in cracks, the fractures spreading outward like a spiderweb.

"Azeria, oh Gods," I gasp, rushing to her side and dropping to my knees.

The back of her gown is ripped, the fabric soaked dark with blood. Beneath it, her flesh is torn open and her spine is cracked, peaking out from underneath.

My stomach twists into painful knots.

"What have I done?" I whisper.

Before I can touch her, the bones begin to shift. A sickening crack echoes through the room as they snap back into place, and within seconds, the flesh seals itself shut.

Azeria sucks in a sharp breath and slowly pushes herself upright.

"Here, let me help you," I say softly, reaching for her only for her to slap my hand away.

"Don’t," she snaps, her voice shaking as tears spill down her cheeks. "Don’t. Fucking. Touch me."

My shoulders sag.

"Azeria, I–I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you," I say, my words tumbling out fast. "I don’t know what came over me. I just... lost control."

My daughter stares at me for a long moment, the look in her wine-red eyes resembling one she would give a stranger.

"I don’t even know who you are anymore," she says quietly.

A sharp pain stings my chest.

Azeria rises to her feet and walks toward the door without sparing me another glance.

"Azeria," I call out.

She doesn’t stop.

She opens the door and slams it shut behind her.

I remain kneeling on the floor, tears gathering in my eyes as I stare at the cracked wall and the space where Azeria stood just moments ago.

I just wanted to save my son.

But I drove everyone away instead.

꧁ ✧༺ ❦ ༻✧ ꧂

✧••{NAYEESHA’S POV}••✧

Ever since I left Azræl’s chambers, my heart has been a whirlwind of the ugliest emotions.

I keep hearing Seraphine’s voice in my head, over and over again.

"You were nothing but a dirty little slave girl when Azræl saved your wretched life and brought you into this palace. That is all you are, and all you ever will be."

"Nayeesha," Rhiannon says softly, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

She sits beside me by the window, her knees pulled close to her chest, and her eyes haven’t left my neck once.

She slowly raises her hand, hesitating only for a heartbeat before brushing her fingers against the skin at my throat. The sting is sharp and sudden, pulling a sharp wince out of me before I can stop myself.

She pulls back immediately. "I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you."

"It’s alright," I say, forcing a small smile.

Rhiannon leans back against the wall, studying me with the same intense concern she’s had since we left Azræl’s chambers.

"How is it?" I ask her.

Her brows furrow in confusion. "How is what?"

"Your wrist," I say. "Where she grabbed you."

"Oh," she says as she looks down at it and begins rolling it gently. "It’s a little bruised."

"It’ll fade," I reply.

Her gaze lifts again, straight back to my throat. "And you?"

"I’m fine," I say softly. "You don’t need to worry about me."

She doesn’t look convinced, but she doesn’t press me any further.

We sit in silence for a while, staring out the window until Rhiannon faces me again.

"I still can’t believe what happened when Seraphine tried to pull my blood from my body," she says quietly. "I’ve seen Azræl do it a few times before while in battle. But why didn’t it work for her?"

"Blood magic is a power all true-born vampires wield," I answer. "No creature that walks this mortal realm is immune to it—not even witches. So when Azræl traced your bloodline to Astragarde and set out to find you, I was deeply worried because an enemy could simply drain you of all your blood without even needing to touch you."

Her brows furrow slightly.

"But Azræl told me that celestial blood is the only blood that vampires have no dominion over," I continue. "But still, I was beyond shocked seeing Seraphine try and fail to control your blood."

Rhiannon slowly nods to herself, then the two of us settle into another moment of silence.

"Has Seraphine always been like this?" she asks.

I let out a long sigh.

"She can be very cold and distant," I murmur. "But when it comes to her family, she’s like... wildfire. She doesn’t care who she has to hurt as long as she can protect the ones she holds dear. But I’ve never seen her lose herself the way she did today."

"I’m so sorry for what she said to you," she says gently. "None of that was fair."

A bitter smile curves my lips.

"I knew what it meant when I swore my loyalty to Azræl," I say. "And I’d step out of line again and again if it meant protecting you. But she was right."

My gaze falls to my lap.

"I’m nothing more than a dirty little slave girl who should know her place."

In a heartbeat, Rhiannon erases the space between us and cradles my face between her palms, forcing me to look at her.

"Nayeesha," she says firmly. "Don’t you dare say that about yourself. That is not who you are. You’re brave, you’re kind, and you are powerful."

Her thumbs brush my cheeks slowly, and her eyes frantically search mine like she needs me to believe it.

"I see why Azræl kept you close," she goes on. "You’re not afraid to challenge anyone, no matter their title. And if the worst came to worst, you could probably destroy any vampire in this castle."

I let out a weak breath. "I think you’re overestimating me."

"I’m not," she says without hesitation. "I think you could’ve taken Seraphine in a fight."

That almost makes me laugh.

"I’m not as powerful as you think I am, Rhiannon."

"Yes, you are," she replies, her tone unwavering.

"No," I say gently. "I’m not."

Her expression wrinkles into a frown.

"Nayeesha, you saved me from getting ripped to shreds on the night of my wedding. If it weren’t for you, Azræl would already be dead and I would’ve been abducted and taken to who knows where."

She takes both of my hands in hers, gripping them firmly.

"You’ve saved my life more times than I can count. No amount of thanks will ever be eno—"

"Rhiannon," I interrupt softly. "I appreciate your kind words. Truly. But I’m still not as powerful as you think."

Her brows knit together. "What do you mean?"

I don’t answer her right away.

My eyes begin to sting as tears well up. I try to blink them back but they prove stubborn, refusing to go away.

"The truth is... I can’t use my magic to its full strength because I’m broken."

Her expression softens immediately.

"What happened?" she asks gently.

I stare out the window for a few heartbeats before I can finally form words.

"As I told you before, my family and I were caught trying to flee from the witch purge in Saharim," I say quietly, my voice wavering despite my efforts to keep it steady. "I was fourteen, terrified, and desperate. So, in an attempt to save us, I tried to cast a forbidden spell."

I turn my gaze back to Rhiannon.

"It was black magic and I... I was too young. I wasn’t strong enough so the spell backfired and it scarred my magical core," I say, resting my hand right above my heart. "Now, whenever I use my magic without giving myself enough time to recover, it takes a toll on my body. And if I push too far... I could die."

A single tear falls from my eye but I wipe it quickly.

"Sometimes when I try to cast really powerful spells, my magic fails," she whispers. "That night when the entire castle lost control and was after you, I could’ve gotten us far away immediately. But that spell was just too powerful, and the farther I wanted to go, the more power it required. I was so afraid to even attempt it, because what if we had stopped running and I tried, only for it to fail. You would have died, Rhiannon."

Rhiannon doesn’t say a word.

She simply moves closer and pulls me into her arms.

I go completely still, at first. But after a few heartbeats, I melt into her embrace and rest my forehead against her shoulder.

"And yet, even with all that you’re still strong and fearless," she says.

She pulls back just enough to look me in the eyes.

"Thank you again for saving my life." Her lips curve into a faint smile. "I’m forever indebted to you."

I can’t help but return the smile.

After that, we sit together in a comfortable silence for a while. But when the reality of what has happened comes crashing down on me, fear grips my chest.

"What do we do now?" I ask.

"What do you mean?" she replies.

"Your abduction," I say firmly. "It seemed like a co-ordinated attack. The guards that were on duty last night were killed without raising any alarms. And don’t you find it suspicious how none of the other servants suspected or even heard a thing?"

Her brows furrow as she stares at me.

I stand on my feet and with my hands on my hips, I begin pacing back and forth.

"Rhiannon, you’re not safe here anymore," I say, my tone full of fear and panic. "Azræl’s life is hanging by a thread, and sooner or later, the enemy will strike again. There’s only so much I can do before I reach my limits."

I stop in front of her, lowering my voice.

"So tell me, what are we going to do?"

For a while, she presses her lips into a thin line and she stares at the floor, her expression deep in thought.

Suddenly, her eyes light up.

"What is it?" I ask urgently.

A small smile curves her lips.

"I have a plan."