Year 942, Kingdom of Aravell. Execution Grounds.
The fire licked my ankles first.
They told me it would be painless. That saints died without suffering.
They lied.
I felt my skin split, bones crackle, vision blur as the flames rose. I saw the prince—his hand raised, eyes empty—and the crowd, howling my name with glee.
Saint Elira. They said I was holy. They said I was chosen. They said I was dangerous.
"Let her burn," whispered the high priest. "She has tasted power beyond her station."
And then... darkness.
***
When I opened my eyes, I was not in the heavens.
I was in a bed. Breathing. Alive.
A reflection stared back at me — young, beautiful, cruel. This wasn't me.
No. This was Lady Seraphina Dorne, the duke's villainous daughter.
The girl who poisoned noble sons.The girl who was executed at 17 for attempted regicide.The girl who died... yesterday.
But now, her soul is gone. And mine has taken her place.
"You took everything from me," I whispered to the world. "Now I'll take everything from you."
And the first person I'll destroy?
Crown Prince Kael.
The man who burned me alive.