CHAPTER 258: _NOT A COWARD

Aurora’s POV

*****

"That was a call from the people working on our new place." Seraphyne said behind the princess.

Aurora stood by one of the windows, staring at the late morning sky outside. The sun’s golden rays was illuminating. But it did nothing to vanquish the thoughts of what happened last night.

The black bird. The red sparks it left behind. And the possibility that it was linked to the mysterious woman who appeared to her brother and Elian the same night.

And of course, the way all this had some kind of connection with the nightmare she had the night of her father’s death.

"What did the people say?" She finally asked Seraphyne, not wanting the latter to worry about spacing out.

Too late.

"You don’t sound excited at all." Seraphyne walked toward her, footsteps echoing. "What’s wrong? Still worried about your brother and Elian?"

When they talked with the boys, they mentioned being attacked by Dark Hand operatives. It hadn’t been released into the news yet, but whispers had already reached the industrial district about the attack.

"Of course, I’m worried." Aurora turned around when Seraphyne got to her. "The same organisation behind my father’s death is now after my brother and his mate. I don’t want to see if they can make a record of killing two Alpha kings."

Seraphyne smiled wryly. "Worrying isn’t going to change anything, you know? That’s why you decided to leave the palace."

Aurora lowered her gaze. "That or I was a coward and didn’t want to face the—"

"Coward?" Seraphyne repeated the word, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Don’t be harsh on yourself, Aurora. You’re far from a coward. You’re fierce. You’re powerful."

"Yet here I am." Aurora gestured at the hotel room around them. "Taking shelter in a hotel after watching my father get murdered. Instead of staying back and helping my family move on."

A soft whimper left her lips. It was less pain and more defeat.

Funny how the pressure she avoided in the palace chased her all the way here.

"You’ve always stayed by your family’s side, Aurora." Seraphyne mumbled, voice reassuring. "Always carried the emotions of those around you on your shoulders. Always mirrored their actions back at them to make them see things from a lighter perspective."

Aurora’s cheeks flushed.

She blinked, staring into Seraphyne’s hazel eyes.

"You’re making me blush."

"With the truth? Well, if that’s the case then so be it. You’re going to hear more of it."

They stood there silently for a few more seconds. The sound of birds chirping outside as well as hotel staff working was the only sound between them.

Seraphyne’s fingers brushed along her arms, gentle but grounding. "You don’t have to pretend you’re steel all the time. Not with me."

Aurora’s throat tightened. It wasn’t the words — it was the way Seraphyne said them. Soft. Certain. Like she already knew the pieces Aurora tried to hide.

"I just..." Aurora exhaled shakily. "The nightmare keeps replaying, Sera. Even when I close my eyes for a minute. Magnus’ face, the rot spreading across his skin, like decay was eating him alive. My father’s eyes, the way they looked at me one last time. And then that cloaked woman screaming about some ’moon blessed.’"

Her voice cracked. She hated that it cracked.

Seraphyne didn’t hesitate. She slid her hands up, cupped Aurora’s face, and pressed her forehead gently against hers.

"You don’t have to bottle any of that, Aurora." Her voice softened even more. "Not with me."

Aurora’s breath hitched. Their foreheads stayed together, their noses brushing, their lips inches apart.

Heat curled low in her stomach.

Seraphyne’s gaze flicked down to Aurora’s mouth.

Aurora mirrored it, her breath getting shakier by the second.

They leaned in slowly, their eyes shutting in unison.

Then—

A sharp knock at the door shattered the moment.

Aurora jerked back, heart stuttering. Seraphyne bit down a small curse under her breath before stepping away.

"Yes?" she called, her tone sugary-sweet in that ’if-you-ruin-this-again-I’ll-end-you’ way only she could pull off.

"Your Highness," the driver’s voice rumbled through the door. "Your bags have been loaded into the aether craft. We’re ready whenever you are."

Seraphyne sighed. "Thank you. We’ll be right there."

Aurora tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying and failing to calm the blush warming her cheeks.

"So," Seraphyne said, her voice lowered again, "before we were rudely interrupted... the people in Solrune said the place is ready for us."

A tiny smile tugged at Aurora’s lips.

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm." Seraphyne nudged her playfully with her shoulder. "Fresh start. Fresh air. Less political suffocation. And definitely fewer assassins, hopefully."

Aurora let out a breathy laugh — the first real one in days. "Honestly? I can’t wait. Moon Haven has... too many shadows now."

"Then let’s leave them behind," Seraphyne said simply.

They gathered their things and headed to the door. Aurora paused just long enough to glance toward the mirror above the dresser, smiling at her reflection.

But then her heart stopped.

A shadow slipped across the reflection.

Fast. Like it moved independently of the room.

Aurora spun around but there was nothing.

No movement. No figure.

Just the empty hotel room.

She forced a shaky breath and shook her hands out.

"It’s nothing," she muttered to herself. "Just nerves. That’s all."

But her pulse didn’t agree.

The tension followed her out the door, clinging to her like cold mist.

Outside, the sleek silver aether craft waited. Smooth lines, glowing blue engines humming softly against the red-bricked driveway.

Seraphyne helped her in with a small grin.

"Next stop: Solrune."

Aurora managed another smile as she buckled herself in. But her fingers trembled.

As the craft lifted, hover-engines whirring gently, Aurora looked out the window.

Her stomach twisted.

The feeling didn’t fade. If anything — it grew.

Like eyes pressed against the back of her neck. As if someone — or something — followed them.

Watching. Waiting.

The aether craft tilted forward, hovering slightly above Moon Haven.

Aurora swallowed hard.

And deep, deep down... she knew.

They weren’t alone.