Chapter 11:A Spark Of Friendship

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*Chapter 11: A Spark of Friendship*

The night was cool, the moon casting long shadows over the sprawling grounds of the Silver-Blood estate. Seraphina stood by the tall, wrought-iron gates, her arms crossed tightly against the chill. The air was thick with the weight of the conversation she had just shared with her father.

*The prophecy.* It was a burden, a responsibility that now sat firmly on her shoulders. Her mind kept returning to her father's words—words she wasn't ready to hear. But now, they echoed in her thoughts, louder than before, like a warning: *The Silver-Blooded heir will unlock the power of the silver flame. The question is—will you control it, or will it control you?*

Seraphina's fingers tightened around the pendant that hung around her neck, the silver charm once given to her by her mother, now seeming like a symbol of everything she was meant to become.

She needed to think, to clear her mind, but the suffocating silence of the estate was not what she needed right now. Her gaze flicked toward the dark trees at the edge of the grounds. She needed to be outside, away from the heavy walls of the house, away from the weight of her bloodline.

Taking a deep breath, Seraphina turned on her heel and walked briskly toward the garden. The cool night air felt like a balm against her skin, and the rustling of the trees above her was a welcome distraction. She continued walking, not entirely sure where she was going, but desperate to escape the looming presence of the estate.

As she wandered further into the garden, she spotted a figure sitting on a stone bench beneath a cluster of trees, their face illuminated by the faint glow of the moonlight. It was a young woman, her long dark hair falling in waves over her shoulders, wearing a loose, pale blue cloak that seemed to blend with the night around her.

Seraphina slowed her steps as she approached the figure, wondering if she had simply stumbled across another guest of the estate. But there was something about the girl that felt different, something unguarded and at ease.

"Is this seat taken?" Seraphina's voice was hesitant, unsure of how to approach this stranger.

The girl looked up with a small smile, her eyes sparkling with a kind of mischief that immediately caught Seraphina off guard. "Not at all," she replied, her voice light and easy. "Come sit. The stars are particularly clear tonight, aren't they?"

Seraphina couldn't help but be intrigued by her. Most people in her family's circle were stiff, formal—trained to carry themselves with restraint. But this girl… she seemed effortless.

Seraphina walked over to the bench, sitting down slowly. "I didn't expect to find anyone else out here at this hour," she admitted, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little.

The girl laughed softly, a musical sound that seemed to harmonize with the night air. "Most people prefer their sleep or their wine," she said, grinning. "But I find it's the best time to think, away from all the noise."

Seraphina felt a flicker of curiosity. "What do you think about, if you don't mind me asking?"

The girl leaned back on the bench, looking up at the sky as if the answer were written in the stars. "Everything and nothing," she said thoughtfully. "Mostly, I think about how much we don't know. About everything, really. About magic. About the world. And about who we really are beneath all the titles we're given."

Seraphina blinked. Her words struck a chord in her. "I know what you mean," Seraphina replied softly. "I've spent most of my life learning how to hide who I really am. Or at least, pretending I don't have to be anything more than what I'm expected to be."

The girl turned to look at her, her eyes now sharp with interest. "What do you mean by that? Are you hiding something?"

Seraphina hesitated. *Could she tell this stranger about the prophecy? About the powers she barely understood?* It felt too soon, too risky. But there was something about the girl—something in her openness—that made Seraphina want to say more.

"I think… I think I'm supposed to be something I don't want to be. Something that scares me." She swallowed hard, unsure why she was saying this to someone she had just met. But the girl's calm presence seemed to draw the words out of her.

The girl raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Something like what? Do you mind me asking?"

Seraphina hesitated before answering. "I have powers. Magic, I suppose. And there's this prophecy... about me. About what I'm meant to do. But I don't know if I can handle it. I don't know if I'm strong enough." Her voice faltered, the words tasting like ash on her tongue.

The girl nodded slowly, as if she understood more than Seraphina had expected. "I think you're stronger than you realize," she said quietly, her voice steady. "But you won't know that until you face it. Whatever it is, the fear... the prophecy... it's all a part of you. It doesn't define you, though. You define it."

Seraphina looked at her, her brow furrowed in confusion. "How do you know that?"

The girl gave her a sly grin. "I've had my own share of secrets and burdens. Maybe not the same as yours, but heavy in their own way. We all have them, don't we?" She met Seraphina's eyes with a knowing look. "My name's Iliana, by the way. And you must be Seraphina Silver-Blood."

Seraphina felt a strange warmth rise within her at the mention of her name. "How did you know?"

Iliana's grin widened, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I have my ways. Besides, when a girl like you walks into a place like this, everyone knows. You have a bit of a reputation." She paused, then added more seriously, "But you're more than that, aren't you?"

Seraphina blinked, unsure how to respond. "What do you mean?"

Iliana leaned forward slightly, her expression turning earnest. "I can see it. You don't need to be burdened by who others say you're meant to be. That's not the real you. You don't have to face this alone, either. If you need help—if you need someone to talk to—I'm here. I've always been a good listener."

Seraphina was surprised by the offer, and for a moment, she felt a sense of relief she hadn't known she needed. It was strange—she had only just met this girl, yet something about her presence felt grounding, like a lifeline in a sea of uncertainty.

"Thank you," Seraphina said quietly, her voice sincere. "I didn't think anyone would understand."

Iliana gave her a warm smile, her eyes full of understanding. "You'll be surprised how much people are willing to help if you let them. You don't have to carry everything alone, Seraphina."

For the first time that night, Seraphina felt a spark of something brighter than fear or doubt. It wasn't courage, not yet—but it was the beginning of something. Something that told her maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she had thought.

As the night grew darker, the two of them sat together in companionable silence, gazing up at the stars. Seraphina felt a sense of calm settle over her—a feeling of safety, of connection, that she hadn't expected.

For the first time in a long time, Seraphina felt like she might be able to find her way through the uncertainty ahead. And maybe, with Iliana by her side, she wouldn't have to face it all alone.

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