The Ultimatum

“Should I spin you higher?”

Ginevra’s voice was soft, warm, and full of affection. His arms wrapped securely around my chest as he spun me through the air, my feet hovering inches above the ground.

What’s going on?

The world felt surreal, my body was impossibly light. I caught a glimpse of myself reflected in Ginevra’s eyes and froze.

That isn’t me.

The face staring back wasn’t mine. It was a woman’s—delicate features, deep green eyes, and golden hair that shimmered like sunlight. My mind screamed in confusion, but my body didn’t respond.

The light. What happened?

The memory of that explosion rushed through my mind. Did I die? Panic gripped me.

I looked around and saw the floating castle, its intricate spires and weathered stone glowing faintly under a pale moon. I knew this place. It felt like home.

“Cordelia.”

Ginevra’s voice called my name—or at least, the name of the woman whose body I was inhabiting. How was this possible?