‘Where am I?’ Eloise woke up abruptly to find herself by a small pond, in the middle of a very large garden. The cool evening breeze blew wisps of her dark red hair into her face.
She looked down to find herself in a beautiful white gown. She slowly stood to her feet confused.
‘My wedding day?’ But that was two days from now. She quickly touched her stomach to find no stab wounds. She found no blood in her palms either. She swore they were filled with blood minutes ago
The scene of Cole stabbing her was so vivid now. 
She died......
Yes, she died. She would never mistake the fear she felt while, Cole pushed her off the balustrade. It was real. She knew what she felt. The sharp piercing pain from the cold iron knife, he stabbed her with. The satisfaction in his eyes while he stabbed her multiple times. The hate.
 Pure hate, she thought.
But why?
Why would the love of her life kill her? 
Most importantly, why wasn’t she dead yet? Yes, she was the Phoenix. She could rise from the ashes every time she died but not this time. She was sealed.
Yes, by that woman. She’d seen that tattoo on her hand before, but where? 
Oh, she remembered it all perfectly now. There was a witch circle, the seal of the condemned, a bright red moon and her blood.... 
 She fell from a three-story building, right to the bottom of the pool. She spent her last breath drowning because she couldn’t swim. 
What a terrible way to die, she thought. Or maybe not.... She was alive, wasn’t she?
Some terrible dream that was......

INTO THE FLAMES.

Elric rushed down the stairs to meet Eloise halfway. “My Lady, the Lord demands you come to his study right away,” Elric said urgently. She looked at the child in Eloise’s arms in confusion. 


“Elric, this is Claire. Bathe her, clean her wounds, and feed her. I want you to personally take care of her,” Eloise said to her as she carefully gave a sleeping Claire to her. Claire abruptly stirred and grabbed onto Eloise’s gown. 


“Do not leave me!” She uttered in a terrified tone. 


Eloise caressed her cheek gently. “I must attend to something, Claire. I will get back to you as soon as I am done. I promise,” She assured her with a smile, and Claire bobbed her head slowly. 


“Take care of her,” Eloise told Elric again. 


“I will, my Lady,” Elric responded with a nod. 


“Luce, give Elric a hand, will you?” She told her. 


“Of course, my Lady,” Lucy said with a bow. She walked to Elric's side and together they hurried toward the servants’ quarters. 


Chapter 23(That one with the fight)