Sophia's body had barely recovered from the searing ritual, but the halls of the vampire kingdom were already alive with unrest. Rumors whispered faster than shadows—of wings blooming, of ancient light crowning a lost queen, of the goddess bloodline awakened.
Every noble who once watched her with veiled disdain now stared with tight-lipped awe… and fear.
Lucian didn't leave her side. Even now, seated in the private chambers near the war room, his eyes remained sharp, hand resting on the hilt of his blade.
Sophia sat wrapped in a silken robe, her wings still raw and aching behind her, wrapped in thin layers of enchanted cloth to ease the pain. Her hair now flowed like golden fire down her back, streaked faintly with shimmering silver strands—evidence of her bloodline waking with a vengeance.
"I feel different," she whispered. "I can hear them—every heartbeat in this palace, every thought dripping with suspicion."
Lucian turned to her slowly. "It's your mind-reading. It's growing. You'll learn to control it."
"But I don't want to hear them. I want to be able to trust them."
"You won't."
His answer was cold but true.
Before she could respond, Selene stepped into the room, face hard. "The council's gathering. They've summoned you. And Sean… is here."
Sophia's body froze. "Here?"
"In the city," Selene confirmed. "Under the guise of diplomacy. He's requested an audience with you. Alone."
Lucian stood immediately. "Absolutely not."
Selene raised a brow. "The court is watching. If she refuses, they'll say she's running. Weak. Corrupted."
"I'm not afraid of him," Sophia said. "Let him come."
Lucian's gaze snapped to hers, his voice low, feral. "You don't know what he's capable of."
"I know exactly what he is. A coward who hides behind charm and twisted intentions."
Selene gave a small nod of approval. "Then we'll set the meeting under our terms. In the Hall of Flames. He won't be able to lie there."
—
The Hall of Flames was sacred. Ancient. Built by fire-wielders and oathbound vampires to burn away deception. Every step into it forced truth to the surface like blood from a wound.
Sean arrived draped in silver and midnight blue, his golden hair tied back, his features as lovely as they were dangerous. His eyes fell on Sophia—and widened.
He hadn't seen her wings. Her transformation. Her power.
And for a brief, damning second, he looked at her like a man lost.
"Sophia," he breathed, taking a step forward. "You're… more than I imagined."
"I always was," she replied, voice steel under silk.
Sean chuckled softly. "You're not just a princess now. You're something more. A goddess reborn."
Lucian growled. Sean ignored him.
"I came to warn you," he continued. "There are factions in the fae court already aligning against you. If you fall… they'll divide your power. Claim your crown. But with me—"
"With you," Sophia cut in, "I'd be chained. Used. Manipulated."
Sean's smile faltered. "No. With me, you'd be safe."
Sophia stepped forward. Her wings stretched slightly, flickering with golden light. "You want the throne. But don't confuse your ambition with love."
He looked at her, eyes darkening. "I didn't. Until now."
The flames around the hall surged higher. And everyone present knew he had spoken the truth.
Lucian stepped forward, voice deadly. "You've said enough."
Sean's gaze didn't leave Sophia. "I'll be back. And when I return, I won't ask nicely."
As he turned and disappeared through the smoke-filled doors, Sophia felt her heart steady.
War was coming.
But so was her reign.