the prince of an alliance

Seraphina Marlowe was a woman who lived for power. It was evident in the way she carried herself, in the way she spoke—every word deliberate, every movement calculated. Her emerald-green eyes gleamed with amusement as she regarded the trio standing in her study, completely at her mercy.

Aurelia had never liked her.

She didn't trust people who smiled like predators.

Seraphina lazily swirled the glass of wine she had retrieved from her desk, looking at Caius with a mockingly affectionate tilt of her head. "You've caused quite the mess, darling. Breaking into a vault? Exposing council secrets? And now, sneaking into my home?" She sighed dramatically. "Your family must be absolutely livid."

Caius' hands curled into fists at his sides. "I don't care about my family."

"Oh, but you should." She placed the wine glass down, stepping closer to him. "Because Hadrian Vaelen has made it his mission to erase every trace of your little rebellion." She let that hang in the air, watching him closely. "You're not just a runaway noble anymore, Caius. You're an enemy of the state."

Zephyr exhaled sharply. "Hate to break it to you, princess, but we already knew that."

Seraphina turned her attention to him, her lips curling into an amused smirk. "Ah, Zephyr Blackwood. I must say, I adore your work. You've stolen from some of the richest families in Skydale, and yet, here you are—choosing treason over a life of crime. I have to wonder… is it for the thrill, or is it for her?"

She flicked her gaze toward Aurelia.

Zephyr's expression didn't change, but his grip on the dagger at his hip tightened ever so slightly. "I'm here because I like pissing off people like you."

Seraphina laughed. "Charming."

Aurelia had had enough. "Are you going to help us or not?"

Seraphina regarded her carefully. "You do realize how dangerous this is, don't you? If I choose to help you, I'll be branding myself as a traitor."

Aurelia crossed her arms. "You wouldn't have let us in if you didn't think you could use us."

Seraphina smiled. "Perceptive." She turned back to Caius. "Tell me, dear prince—why should I help you overthrow your own father?"

Caius met her gaze evenly. "Because if the floating cities fall, your power falls with them."

Seraphina tilted her head, considering. Then, she sighed. "Fine. I'll help you."

Aurelia blinked. "Just like that?"

Seraphina chuckled. "Oh, darling, nothing is ever 'just like that.'"

She retrieved a sealed letter from her desk and handed it to Caius. "This is a coded message for one of my associates. If you want information on how deep the council's corruption runs, you'll need to deliver it."

Zephyr frowned. "To who?"

Seraphina's smirk widened. "To Thorne Everard."

Silence fell over the room.

Aurelia felt her stomach drop.

Thorne Everard.

Leader of the rebellion. Enemy of the floating cities.

And the man who wanted to destroy Skydale.

Caius stiffened. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, but I am." Seraphina leaned against her desk, watching them like a cat playing with its food. "Thorne has been searching for proof that the council has been lying about Aetherion's decay. If you show him this, he'll listen to you."

Aurelia's mind raced. Thorne Everard wasn't just a leader—he was a revolutionary. A man who believed the only way to end the nobles' tyranny was to bring the floating cities crashing down. If they went to him, there was no telling what he'd do.

Caius clenched his jaw. "He wants to kill people."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "And your father doesn't?"

The words cut deeper than Aurelia expected.

Caius didn't respond.

Zephyr folded his arms. "This is a terrible plan."

Seraphina smirked. "Yes. But it's your only plan."

Aurelia looked at the sealed letter in Caius' hand. There was no way out of this. If they wanted to expose the truth, they needed Thorne.

Even if it meant walking into the den of the man who wanted them all dead.

Seraphina sipped her wine. "So, what will it be, my dears? Will you deliver my message, or shall I call the guards and let them deal with you?"

Aurelia met Caius' gaze.

They didn't have a choice.

Caius exhaled. "We'll go."

Seraphina's smile widened. "Wonderful."

Aurelia had a sinking feeling they had just made a deal with the devil.