He hated these meetings.
Not because of the danger.
Not because of the politics.
But because of him—Prince Alaric, sitting across the table from Seraphina like he thought charm was enough. Like wit and wine could unravel a woman made of iron and firelight.
Rhys stood silently behind her, arms crossed, jaw set.
He said nothing.
That was the job.
But gods, he wanted to speak.
Alaric poured wine like he thought it was seductive. He smiled like he'd earned something. Every word he offered was laced with carefully shaped power.
And Seraphina?
She listened.
Calm. Unimpressed. Patient.
She didn't flirt. She didn't flatter.
She just watched. And waited.
And when she finally spoke—
"I don't pretend. I play smaller until I'm ready to eat."
Rhys could've laughed.
If his blood wasn't already boiling.
Alaric didn't get it.
He didn't see that Seraphina didn't need an offer. She was the offer.
She didn't sit at someone else's table to beg.
She sat to calculate. And then to conquer.
When Alaric stepped closer—when he tried to flirt, tried to tempt—Rhys took one half-step forward.
Not enough to interrupt.
Just enough to remind.
He saw the flicker of awareness in Alaric's eyes.
Good.
But Seraphina?
She didn't flinch.
She stood, walked toward the door, and left the prince behind like an old suit that no longer fit her standards.
Rhys followed.
And when the door shut behind them, and they walked together through the cold courtyard stones, she finally spoke.
"Well?"
He didn't ask what she meant.
She never explained herself.
"He's dangerous," he said.
With unfathomable gaze and light smile she said 'its obvious what he wants'
In which i found lips unconsciously rising
"Oh, please. A worm might dream of stars, but dreams do not make it fly"
And even though he hated every word Alaric said…
He couldn't help but feel a small, shameful spike of pride.
Because she—Seraphina von Ashgrave—
Was still choosing to let him walk beside her.
And as long as she did, he would stay.
Silent. Loyal. And ready to kill every man who forgot what she really was.