Chapter 1

The dark hall, whose walls were covered in dark green marble, was dimly lit by a few bright fires in giant copper bowls, which were already showing signs of greenish corrosion in some places. All the rows of black wooden benches for jurors and witnesses were empty. Only the podium for the judge and the prosecutor was occupied.

-No evidence and no investigation, -  I thought to myself, I've really gotten myself into a mess. How did this happen? I was being overly cautious. As soon as I escape, you'll see my wrath, which will consume you and poison all those involved. I could already envision the images of my revenge, which both entertained and comforted me in this rather unpleasant but at the same time predictable situation due to my activities.

-Constance Calabrio, do you acknowledge your guilt in the trade of black magic relics and artifacts? Do you understand what punishment awaits you? -  the judge emphatically struck the gavel.

- Calabria, - I muttered to myself.

- Are you even listening to me? Just because the Red Moon Demoness allows herself to flagrantly break the law does not give you the right to do so. Your sentence is banishment to the magician in the north, - told he angry and almost shouted.

-Magician...? I know five of them, although most of them are already dead. I'm not too eager to hang out myself in a cemetery, - I said with a toothy grin, tapping my fingers on the bench.

-Miss Calabrio, your jokes are far from funny. You know very well whom I'm referring to – Adrian Cortes, - told he angry.

-Well, just not him, - I whispered to myself. It was the same arrogant wizard who used to call me an upstart back at the academy. And this upstart had given him a hard time back then.

-Just like your father – an unstable troublemaker who stirred up trouble for others, - he shouted admonishingly.

Those words struck a chord with my deepest feelings because, no matter how my father may have appeared to others, he loved me, and I knew it.

-My father was an honorable man, far more just than your entire judicial system, - I shouted. Yes, he was a good man, and it was his fault that I got into all of this, - Insaniam.

At that, the judge rose and left the courtroom.

-Miss, come here, he'll be arriving for you soon, - told a tall man in military uniform and pushed me out the door.

The cold wind teased my skin and lightly tousled my hair. How long had it been since I felt the winter chill here in the south, in this city where I had spent the last eleven years of my life? In the distant north, which used to be familiar to me, everything was much simpler and straightforward. But we had to flee from there, escape from people frightened by my abilities, my gift. Although divination wasn't my primary subject at the academy, instead it was curses and their removal, I was born with a rather rare power – the innate ability to see both the future and the past.

-Miss Constance, wait for his arrival, then you can collect your belongings, - a monotonous male voice droned on, driving me to boredom. For Kortes, I would have to play a new role. I thought that being a calm and obedient girl would win him over, and then I could escape.

-Yes, waiting won't be much longer,- told I sadly, but I already felt his approach. If it were anyone else, I might not even sense it. But his power was cold and scorching, like ice in his hands, and I felt his approach in every cell of my body.

Behind me, I heard the creaking of footsteps on the snow, and goosebumps ran down my skin. Someone's rough hand turned me towards them. It was definitely him, the same blond with vivid blue eyes and a pleasant smile. Just as tall and young as he was ten years ago when we first met. He grabbed me by the chin and inspected my face, then pushed my red hair behind my ears and slowly released my face.

-And this is the girl I've heard so much about? I thought this illegal trinket trader would look somewhat different. I thought she'd be a bit older and not resemble a red-haired beast, - his calm and indifferent expression unnerved me; he seemed so self-absorbed.

-I'm actually 21. Do I look like a child to you? - I retorted, tucking my locks behind my ears irritably. My appearance had played a bad trick on me again.

-My name is Adrian Cortes, - he introduced himself and kissed my hand.

-As if I didn't know, - I muttered, rolling my eyes.

-You wanted to collect your things. Follow me. Although I'm not sure what could be left after confiscation, - told him quietly.

-I know how to hide things, and I'm quite good at it, - I smiled and looked him squarely in the eyes.

He took my hand and led me into a room. With a wave of his hand, he illuminated the room and nudged me inside. I silently approached the tables where my meager belongings were laid out with tags attached. There was a spare corset that I had bleached just a day before my arrest, an old emerald-colored dress, black shoes, and a ribbon from the academy uniform. I had already sold the uniform itself. My tools weren't visible anywhere. I touched two books.

-Why do you need these cheap romance novels? If you like them so much, I can buy you new ones,- told Cortes, looked at me with surprise.

-These books aren't just...,- I said, thinking to myself, -In which romance novels in the entire empire will there be such a stash?

The girl led me to the stairs. There was so much space here, much more than in the buildings I used to live in. Poverty is a funny thing. With a big debt, you can't go anywhere. That's our world. Unfortunately, luck hasn't been on my side, at least not until now.

-Why am I here? My magic isn't strong, and I'm not particularly special,-  I said aloud to the maid. To myself, I thought that only I can see the future, but you don't necessarily need to know that.

-I'm sorry, but I can't answer such questions,- the girl said quietly, lowering her head.

-If I knew the answer, I wouldn't ask, - I muttered to myself, feeling my head spinning. These were familiar sensations that always preceded visions. Just before my eyes appeared a picture – a beautiful burgundy dress and a man I was dancing with in the flickering candlelight on a terrace. A few more steps, and I saw his face. It was him – the Northern sorcerer. He was so handsome! He was smiling. The scent of his cologne was intoxicating, and I felt the warmth of his kiss on my lips... The vision quickly dissolved into a white mist. Everything felt like it was underwater, with muffled sounds, and I could feel my strength draining away.

I looked at my right hand and saw a seal on it. When did he manage to do that? My weakened body couldn't resist it. I felt the power draining from me. I noticed my skin had turned pale, and my bones were showing through. I touched my face; it was cold and clammy. I had to eat something.

I went to the shower and turned on the water. Cold drops ran down my skin. I turned the knob, and hot water began to flow, warming me and relaxing my muscles. Here, I felt that I was weakening again. I felt like collapsing on my knees. Maybe this time I had lost. Or perhaps, on the contrary, I had been given a second chance? The water prevented me from losing consciousness.

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the sun streaming through the window. I stood up from the bed and walked over to the chair where a beautiful olive-green dress was laid out. It was fashionable, and the size was just right, except for a bit of looseness around the waist – which was a relief, given how I felt.

-Miss Constance, please come down for breakfast, - a soft female voice said from behind the door after a gentle knock.

I went downstairs to the dining room, feeling somewhat forlorn, with my head down. I didn't even touch the food. He looked at me with a surprised expression.

-Constance, why haven't you started eating yet? You must be hungry by now. I can feel your hunger, - he said.

-Don't you feel... - I started, but then cut myself off.

-Is this because of the seal? - he guessed.

-Yes. I know it's your doing, and I suspect it won't end with just that, - I replied firmly, looking into his blue eyes, which had a mix of amusement and curiosity. Despite my weakness, I tried not to show any sign of vulnerability.

-Exactly. You're intelligent and strong. So why did my spell weaken you so much? - he asked.

-As if you didn't know about my poor health, - I replied, looking deep into his eyes, trying to read his thoughts? -You can't to live on just coarse bread, and not even half a loaf. Prison conditions are far from ideal, especially for someone with my health, - I continued, and seeing his gaze again, which seemed to be trying to penetrate me, I added defiantly, - What are you staring at? Are you perfect or something?

Cold sparks pulsed in my chest, in my heart. The curse was taking effect, and the woman who could save me was here, in the mansion, sleeping. But would she make it in time? She was so weakened, and that vision she had. Could a girl who could weaken a curse be the daughter of Igor Kalabrio, the famous physician and scoundrel who spent his massive estate searching for who knows what?

Kortes eyes sparkled with a blue fire, and ice burned his core. Sweat dripped down on his smooth skin. Veins throbbed in Adrians head. Ice crystals began to form on the surfaces of the room, and my gaze settled on the only portrait of his father.

-Father... - hit he the painting and swept his hand down,  -You died from this, and now it'll be my fate soon. Just a little more, and it'll become irreversible.

This mask of a smile when I talk about painful things. If it weren't for our connection, he wouldn't even understand my real emotions. What pain was in his heart, this cold look. What had he gone through? This vision... My hand brushed my nose. He was closer than I thought. He reached out, took my hand, and caressed it. Those eyes were so close to mine. I could even hear his breath. And this moment. As if nothing had happened.

-You know, you remind me of a fifteen-year-old girl who, six years ago, had almost finished the academy. Red hair like yours, and her eyes were green too. I said something to her, and that little beast broke my nose, - he said, and it was clear he wasn't very happy to remember it.

-Well, that little red beast has grown quite a bit in the last six years, - I smiled and gazed into his eyes. - I can see you remember me well.

-Constance, do you know why you're here? I propose a mutually beneficial arrangement where you become my bride.

-What's in it for you with a regular woman like me? - I replied, deciding to play the good girl and tease him with a formal tone.

-A regular woman doesn't see the future or engage in the sale of dark artifacts. Do you agree? - Cortes looked at me closely.

-Do I have a choice? - I asked.

-Absolutely, - told he and being a true gentleman, he didn't demand my answer.

He's so cold. I might fall for him. And what if this seal allows him to read my thoughts? Demon... what am I even thinking?