Elara's POV
The blade whistled past my ear, close enough to feel the wind of it.
I ducked, spun, and drove my dagger toward my opponent's ribs. She blocked, but barely. Our weapons locked, bringing us face to face.
Better, Zara panted, her eyes gleaming with approval. But still too slow. In a real fight, you'd be dead.
Then stop talking and try harder, I shot back, kicking her knee.
She went down, rolled, and swept my legs out from under me. I hit the training ground hard, the air rushing from my lungs.
One year. I'd been training for one year, and my body still betrayed me constantly.
Zara stood over me, offering her hand. Again.
I need a break
The Empress Dowager won't give you a break when she tries to kill you again. Zara hauled me to my feet. Again. And this time, stop fighting like a princess.
The words stung. Good. I needed the anger.
We went again. And again. And again until my muscles screamed and blood from split knuckles made my daggers slippery. But I didn't stop. Couldn't stop.
Because somewhere in the Crimson Empire, Cassian was living his perfect life with his pregnant mistress. And I was going to make him regret every second of it.
Year Two
You're offering me half? I slammed my hand on the merchant's desk, making him jump. The going rate for silk from the Eastern Provinces is three gold per bolt. I'm offering five if you give me exclusive rights to your entire stock.
Master Chen, one of the wealthiest traders in the Shadow Kingdom, narrowed his eyes. And why would I trust a young girl with exclusive rights to my merchandise?
I smiled—the cold, calculated smile Zara had taught me. The one that promised profit and threatened ruin in the same expression.
Because I control the mountain pass into the Crimson Empire. No one moves goods through that route without my permission. I pulled out a map showing trade routes I'd spent months securing. You can sell your silk to local markets for three gold, or you can sell to me and I'll move it through the empire for ten. You get five, I get five. We both get rich.
The empire won't deal with Shadow Kingdom merchants
They will when they don't know who they're dealing with. I leaned forward. I'm creating a new identity. Lady Seraphine, an independent merchant queen with no kingdom allegiance. On paper, I'm from nowhere and everywhere. In reality, I'll control half the trade flowing into the empire within two years.
Chen studied me for a long moment. You're either brilliant or insane.
I'm both. I extended my hand. Do we have a deal?
He shook it.
Walking out with my first major contract, I felt something I hadn't felt in two years: powerful.
Zara waited outside, grinning. How much?
Exclusive silk rights for three years. He's also introducing me to the spice traders next week. I couldn't keep the triumph from my voice. It's working.
Of course it's working. You're a natural. She linked her arm through mine as we walked. Though you might want to smile occasionally. You're starting to scare people.
Good, I said. Fear is just another form of respect.
Year Three
The contract sat on my desk, worth more gold than most nobles saw in their lifetimes.
I signed it with a flourish: Lady Seraphine.
Not Elara. Never Elara again. That girl died in the river three years ago.
Congratulations. The Shadow Queen entered my office—no longer a guest room, but a headquarters. My headquarters. You've officially become the wealthiest independent merchant in six kingdoms.
Seven, I corrected, pointing to a new contract. The Desert Kingdoms just agreed to let me handle their gemstone exports.
Pride flickered in my grandmother's eyes. Your mother would be proud.
The words should have made me happy. Instead, they hit a hollow place inside me that never quite filled.
Would she? I asked quietly. I'm not exactly becoming a good person here. I'm learning to manipulate, to threaten, to destroy anyone who gets in my way.
You're learning to survive in a world that tried to kill you. The Queen sat across from me. There's no shame in that.
I used to believe in love. In fairy tales. In the goodness of people. I stared at my reflection in the polished desk surface, sharper now, harder. Now I believe in power and revenge.
The empire taught you that lesson. The Queen's voice was gentle but firm. You're just learning to use it against them.
A knock interrupted us. Zara entered, holding an ornate envelope sealed with the Crimson Empire crest.
My heart stopped.
It just arrived by imperial messenger, Zara said carefully. An invitation to the Grand Trade Summit. Three months from now. The empire is inviting all major merchants to negotiate new trade agreements.
I took the invitation with steady hands, though inside I was shaking.
The Crown Prince and the Imperial Court request the honor of your presence...
Cassian's signature at the bottom. That familiar handwriting I used to trace on love letters.
Three years. Three years of training, building, preparing for this exact moment.
What do you want to do? Zara asked.
I looked at my grandmother. At Zara. At the empire I'd built from nothing.
Then I looked at myself in the mirror hanging on the wall.
The girl who'd jumped in the river was gone completely. In her place stood someone new. Someone dangerous.
My hair had grown back, longer and darker than before. My body was lean with muscle from combat training. My eyes—still storm-gray—held a coldness that would have terrified the old me.
I looked like a queen. Felt like a weapon.
And I was ready.
Send word that Lady Seraphine accepts the invitation, I said. Prepare my finest clothes. My best guards. Everything that screams power and wealth.
You're really going back. Zara's voice held both excitement and concern.
I'm going back. I stood, walking to the window that overlooked the Shadow Kingdom. Beyond those mountains lay the Crimson Empire. Cassian. The Empress Dowager. Everyone who'd destroyed me.
But not as Elara Ashbourne, the broken princess they threw away, I continued, my reflection in the glass showing a smile sharp as a blade. I'm going back as Lady Seraphine. And I'm going to make them all remember exactly what they lost.
The Shadow Queen stood beside me, her hand on my shoulder. What's your first move?
I thought about Cassian sitting on his throne. About the shock on his face when he realizes who I am. About watching his perfect world crumble the way mine did.
I'm going to walk into that palace like I own it, I said softly. I'm going to make him see what he threw away. And then... My smile widened. Then I'm going to destroy his entire empire, piece by piece, until he's begging me to stop.
And will you? Zara asked. Stop, if he begs?
I turned from the window, my decision made. Three years of pain had burned away everything soft inside me. What remained was pure, cold determination.
No, I said simply. Because when I begged him three years ago, he looked right through me. He chose his crown over my heart. So now I'll make him choose again.
I picked up the invitation, running my finger over Cassian's signature.
Only this time, he'll realize too late that the choice was already made. My voice was quiet but deadly. He threw away a woman who loved him. Now he'll face a queen who wants him destroyed.
The Shadow Queen's smile was terrible and beautiful. Then let's give the Crimson Empire a queen they'll never forget.
Three months. Three months to prepare for my return.
Three months before Cassian Valorian learned what it meant to cross a woman who'd died once and came back stronger.
I was coming home.
And I was bringing his worst nightmare with me.