An Appointment with a Lie

ROMAN

I took a deep breath outside Seraphina's door, steeling myself for what I needed to do. The realization that had struck me after Julian's revelation left me with a clarity I hadn't felt in years. If Seraphina was carrying my child, I needed to step up, regardless of my conflicted feelings.

I knocked twice, my knuckles barely grazing the wood.

"Come in," her voice called from inside.

I pushed open the door to find her sitting at her vanity, brushing her long blonde hair with practiced strokes. Our eyes met in the mirror, and she smiled—a perfect curve of her lips that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Roman, what a surprise." She set down her brush and turned to face me. "I thought you'd be in another strategy session with the council."

"I needed to see you," I said, closing the door behind me. "We need to talk."

Her posture stiffened slightly. "That sounds ominous."