Chapter 1
The scent of roses lingered in the air sweet, intoxicating, and deceitful.
Seraphina Vale stood beneath the vaulted ceilings of the grand cathedral, her body cloaked in silk and silence. Her wedding gown shimmered with delicate red embroidery. Crimson. A daring choice for a bride.
The nobles whispered. Some called it bold. Others called it cursed.
But only she knew the truth.
It was the color of blood.
And blood was what today would bring.
Across the aisle stood Lord Kaelron Deymour, her groom charming, poised, and deadly in disguise. The man she had loved. Trusted. Chosen.
Now she realized: she had chosen her executioner.
The priest's voice echoed through the chamber, words laced with ritual and finality. Her heart should have raced. Instead, it beat with clarity. Cold, measured, and silent.
Her father smiled from the front row, the same smile he wore when signing her future away for power. Her stepmother dabbed fake tears from the corners of her eyes. Liars, all of them.
The vows began.
"Do you, Seraphina Vale, take this man "
No.
The word screamed inside her mind, but her lips moved in agreement.
"I do," she said, and sealed her fate.
Moments later, as the cheers rose and petals fell, Kaelron leaned toward her lips grazing her ear with a whisper no one else heard.
"You played your part well. Goodbye, little pawn."
Her breath caught.
Then came the pain sharp, deep, hidden beneath the folds of celebration. A prick to her side. A needle. Poison?
She stumbled. The world swirled red and gold.
Faces blurred. Voices faded.
As the world darkened, Seraphina didn't cry. She didn't scream.
She smiled.
Because in her final moment, she knew something none of them did.
"If I return… I'll burn you all in crimson."