Chapter 40
?──── Serenya ? ────?
As soon as we step out of the portal into the courtyard, resolve slams into me. Koen and I did it. Together.
We were a good team. Once we found our rhythm, the fight felt effortless. Like a dance. Every thrust, a measured step. Every dodge, a graceful pirouette. Beautiful. Exhilarating.
Suddenly, I realize how long it’s been since Kallan’s memory haunted me.
I didn’t feel guilty waking up in Koen's arms. I don’t feel guilty that I want to again.
That he’s all I think about. I know now that I’m not betraying Kallan.
I will always keep him in my heart. But Koen has already carved his own place in what remains… and I’m okay with that.
…I just don’t know how to tell him.
I’ve never been good with feelings. And when I lost Kallan, I only got worse. Giving someone your heart is dangerous. It hands them the power to break you. I barely survived once. If I lose Koen too…I don’t think I’ll survive again.
But I’m tired of running from this.
I take a deep breath, turn to Koen in the fading light of the courtyard, and meet his steady gaze. My throat instantly goes dry.
“I need to talk to you. About what you said this morning.”
We are interrupted before he can respond.
“Serenya. The queen has requested your presence,” Torin’s voice cuts in, sharp as a blade. He approaches with Alira at his side, as always.
“Okay. Just a minute,” I say, trying to sound calm.
“ Now ,” he snaps.
I turn, slowly. “Excuse me?”
“The queen has requested your presence. Now .”
And there it is. My patience cracks. Before I do something stupid like punch him, I turn and stalk off, fury radiating from every step.
Boots echo behind me. I whirl. “What are you doing?”
“I’m your personal guard. It’s my duty to escort you,” Torin grits out.
I glance at the guard stationed by the staircase. “Gaius, it turns out Torin has other duties to attend to—”
“I don’t—”
I cut him off, never taking my eyes from Gaius. “Like taking Koen to a healer. Would you be so kind as to escort me to the council chamber in his place?” I smile sweetly.
“Of course, Your Highness.” Gaius bows.
I don’t look back at Torin as I resume my walk, Gaius following close behind.
But right before we reach the doors, I hear Koen say, in a low, lethal voice, “I don’t care how long you’ve known her, Torin.
Centuries of friendship don’t give you a free pass to disrespect her.
Cross that line again, and I’ll make you regret every lesson you gave me. ”
I tilt my chin down, biting back a grin as his words echo in my head. The way he defended me…There is no doubt about it—I am so going to kiss that man. If I can ever figure out how to admit how I really feel.
Inside the palace, my smile falters as I hear footsteps jog to catch up. Alira slips to my side.
“I’m sorry, Ren,” she murmurs.
“What is the real reason he’s so angry with me?” I lower my voice, wary of the guard trailing us. “It can’t just be because I was gone for a few weeks.”
Her lips press into a thin line. “It is…,” she says slowly. “He thinks you were with…He thinks you were in Noctheron. He found a scroll with that kingdom’s seal in your chambers, asking you to meet.”
She won’t even speak Dimitri’s name. Once, the six of us had been like family. Now, she won’t say it aloud.
“And he thinks you’re betraying…” She hesitates, but I know who she means. “…by spending time with the man responsible for his death.”
The words hang in the air.
When I stay silent, she adds quickly, “Torin just cares about you. He doesn’t want you hurt. It’s his duty to know where you are and protect you at all times. We can’t trust the vampires, Ren.”
I stop short, turning to her. “Alira, I love you, but you’re wrong.
He may care about me, but that’s not what this is.
When we lost Kallan, Torin decided it was his duty to protect me for his fallen friend.
He asked to take Kallan’s place as my guard, not because of me , but because he felt like he owed it to Kallan to keep me safe.
And I understand. I do. That’s why I’ve let it go all these years without saying anything.
But that doesn’t give him the right to speak to me the way he has this week. ”
“Because you’re to be queen?” she asks softly.
My jaw clenches. Why are they both so focused on that? “ No . Because I’m a person. His friend . He should trust that I know what I’m doing.” I sigh. “Dimitri saved me. I was with him because I almost died, and he saved me. Just like he did twenty-eight years ago.”
The moment hangs heavy between us until a familiar, booming voice cuts through.
“Ah, Princess Serenya! Well done today. You and Sir Koen put the others to shame.”
Lord Ceryn, my uncle, strides toward us, all cheer as usual.
Sir Koen. In that single word, he is no longer a tavern worker, but a warrior in the eyes of the court. Why does that fill me with such warmth?
I paste on a polite smile. “Thank you.”
“Headed to the meeting?”
I nod.
“As am I. May I walk with you?”
“That would be lovely.”
He turns to his daughter, eyes softening in a way only a father's do. “I’ll see you at dinner, Lira.”
I don’t look back at her as we walk away.
The palace corridors glow with evening light. When we reach the council chamber, I dismiss Gaius with thanks and let my uncle lead me to my place at the table.
Once all are seated, my mother speaks. “With stage two of the third trial complete, we must begin planning for the Divine Ceremony and the royal wedding.”
My breath catches. I’d almost forgotten.
In only a few weeks, I am to marry. If Koen succeeds in the last trial, it will be him.
I will choose him without hesitation. But would he want it?
He hadn’t even chosen to be here. His friend had signed him up, and once he was chosen, the summons left him no choice.
What if he wants to stay human instead of receiving Phynnera’s blessing, ultimately turning him fae?
What if he only wants to go home? Not that anyone in this room would give him the option.
“Serenya?” My mother’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
I blink. “I apologize. Can you repeat that?”
“Asbel and Lioran. They failed. They passed the battle and the puzzles, but Lioran chose himself at the end. Meaning, when you and Koen complete the final stage, he will be the chosen.”
My stomach somersaults.
I force myself to remain steady. “And what of Asbel and Lioran?”
“They’ve been offered positions in the royal guard. Both accepted. They will be initiated on the day of the ceremony.”
Relief floods through me. I’m glad they’ll be staying.
“King Dimitri and Queen Elowen have both received their invitations to the ceremony,” my mother continues.
My head snaps up. “You invited them? Why?”
“It is tradition,” she replies smoothly. “Since the first trial, several millennia ago.”
“Did they accept?”
“Yes. Both will be in attendance.”
She studies me, probably thinking my unease is Dimitri. But it's Elowen who troubles me.
The thought of her here, around my people, sets my teeth on edge.
“I’m sorry, Serenya,” my mother adds gently. “The council already discussed trade and governance earlier. We didn’t know when your trial would end.”
That’s fine. I usually like to know what’s going on in the kingdom, but my head isn’t in politics tonight. I need rest.
“Then may I assume this meeting is adjourned?”
“Yes. Thank you, everyone,” my mother says, rising.
I leave swiftly. When I’m back in my chambers, I bathe, but I’m too worked up to go to sleep, adrenaline still thrumming in my veins. Dressed simply, I slip down my balcony into the night, cloak brushing the palace wall. I’m almost to the gardens when a voice startles me.
“Do you make a habit of sneaking out, Princess?”
I freeze. Then smirk. “Do you make a habit of stalking princesses?”
Lioran grins in the moonlight. “Only the really pretty ones. Where are we going this time?”
I had meant to visit my flower field, but not with him. That place is too sacred. Instead, I ask, “Spar with me?”
His brow lifts in surprise, then his grin returns. “You’re terrifying with a blade, you know that? But fine.”
We go to one of the outdoor rings. Moonlight pools silver over the stone as our swords meet.
He’s faster than any human I’ve faced. But speed alone cannot rival centuries of instinct. I press him easily. His stance slips, blade wavering.
“You’re gripping too tight,” I advise, pivoting around him. “It slows you.”
“You just nearly took my head off,” he pants.
I wink and offer him a cheeky grin.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Of course I am. This is just play.” I knock his sword from his hand, catch it mid-fall, and cross both blades.
He groans, reclaiming his weapon. “ Play , she says. Remind me never to spar with you when you’re serious.”
“Yeah. You don’t want that.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “One more round?”
“You’ll lose again.”
“Probably. But the trials are ending, and soon, we won’t be able to do this anymore.”
“Sure, we will,” I say with a laugh, getting into stance. “Okay, let’s go. But try not to drop your sword this time.”
We clash again, steel flashing, breath mingling, until he blurts between strikes, “So…tell me about the Divine Ceremony.”
“What about it?”
“Does Phynnera really bless the winner?” he asks in a neutral tone as if asking about the weather.
Something in his voice, in the way he asks, makes me hesitate for a second. “Um…yes. My father was the last champion. She granted him immortality, as she did all before him.”
“And Koen will be the lucky one. Meeting Phynnera. Receiving her blessing…” He smirks. “Marrying you.”
My blade slams harder. His sword goes flying again.
“Damn, Princess. Go easy on me. I’m only human.”
I laugh, something I’ve been doing more often. It feels good.
We spar until the moon is high. He walks me back to my balcony, teasing as I climb. I quickly wash again, and for the first time in weeks, I fall asleep smiling.