---
The curse rose in the grand hall of Astoria's Old Palace, forming a red circle that glowed like congealed blood. The clash of metal and the hiss of magic echoed, pressing down on my chest until I could barely breathe.
Armand stood tall, his hand outstretched as if he held the reins of my fate. "Seraphine Valeria," he said slowly, "this isn't just about an alliance. This is about a destiny you cannot escape."
I drew a breath, refusing to waver. "I won't let you or the Astoria family control my life."
Vivienne circled the magic ring, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Intriguing… so very intriguing. You stand before the curse, yet you do not bow. Do you truly understand what you're facing, Seraphine?"
I shook my head slowly. "I may not know everything. But I know enough to fight."
Vivienne laughed softly, her voice like the shatter of glass. "Good. We Astoria admire those who dare to defy death. But remember, we are also hunters."
---
Armand moved his hand, and the circle of the curse began to spin faster. "Look, Seraphine. This… is our legacy. You have Valeria blood, but this curse? It was forged by Astoria."
I froze, feeling the heat sear my skin. "You admit it? Your family… you created this curse?"
"Yes," Armand inclined his head slightly. "The curse was crafted to bind the blood of Valeria and Astoria together. A blood pact that can never be broken."
I took a step back, my heart pounding. "And you want to force me to submit to this pact?"
Vivienne drew closer, her fingers almost brushing the circle of fire. "Of course. Or… you can refuse. But you know what that would mean."
---
I clenched my fists, feeling the curse in my veins throb wildly. "You can't force me to be your puppet."
Armand lifted his chin. "No. But this curse… it will."
I turned to him, meeting his gaze. "Then what is it you want from me?"
Vivienne sighed, her voice soft but cutting. "We want you to forge a new pact. With us. You will become part of the Astoria family… forever."
I felt a tremor in my chest. "And if I refuse?"
Armand gave a thin smile. "Then the curse will devour you alive, Seraphine."
---
Suddenly, a shadow of Lucian flashed through my mind—his mad eyes, his commanding voice. I could not return to that darkness. I would not let anyone else cage me.
I looked Armand in the eye. "I didn't come here to belong to anyone. I came… to break this curse."
Vivienne shook her head slowly. "How tragic. You're still dreaming."
---
Armand swung his hand, and the circle of the curse exploded in a burst of red flames. I was thrown back, holding in a scream. The fire felt alive, coiling and wrapping around me like a ravenous serpent.
"Do you see it, Seraphine?" Armand whispered. "This is the power you're up against. This… is your curse."
My teeth ground together, my body trembling. "I'm not afraid of you!"
Vivienne stepped closer, her gaze sharp. "Then stand your ground. Show us that you're worthy to challenge this curse."
---
The fire lunged at me, dancing through the air, searing the cold hall around us. I felt my blood boil, the Valeria curse in my veins responding.
*"You are mine… you will never be free…"*
"Silence!" I screamed, raising my hand. The curse beneath my skin flared white, a light that rivaled the red flames of Astoria.
Vivienne's eyes widened. "You… you can summon the Valeria curse?"
A groan tore from my throat as the power surged. "I will not be a pawn to anyone—not even to this curse."
---
Red fire and white light crashed together, sparking blinding flashes. The Old Palace of Astoria shuddered, pillars cracking, the ceiling echoing like the roar of an ancient dragon.
Armand remained standing, his eyes keen. "You're truly dangerous, Seraphine. Perhaps… you really are worthy."
I looked at him, my breath ragged. "What do you mean?"
"Worthy… to be the bride of this curse," he said softly, his voice like a spell. "You can either strengthen it… or destroy it. The choice is yours."
---
I fell silent, his words cutting deep. *The bride of the curse*… that was what Lucian had said. Was this all part of some grand design?
Vivienne stepped closer, her voice a whisper. "You hold the key, Seraphine. Your blood. Your courage. But also… the wounds that have yet to heal."
I met her gaze, my chest tight. "What do you know of my wounds?"
She looked at me deeply, her eyes peeling away my secrets. "You've fallen before. You've lost everything. But that… is what makes you perfect."
---
The fire ebbed slowly, leaving a circle of molten red on the floor. Armand approached, his gaze unwavering. "We won't force you. Choose for yourself: be our ally… or our enemy."
I stood, even as my knees threatened to give way. "I will break this curse. And if you try to stop me… I will fight you."
Vivienne gave a faint smile. "Good. Then we shall see… who will win."
---
Armand extended his hand. "Three nights from now, at the Astoria family temple. You may come… or you may run."
I looked at his hand, but did not take it. "I'll come. But not as yours. I'll come… as myself."
He drew his hand back, his smile thin. "Then… we will await you, Seraphine."
---
That night, I left the Old Palace of Astoria. The sky was pitch black, the wind carrying whispers that never truly faded.
I walked quickly, cutting through the mist. But my steps faltered—not because I feared them… but because of a truth I had only just realized:
This curse was not only Valeria's blood… it was also my own.
---
In the forest, Oren was waiting, his eyes anxious. "My lady! What happened in there? You're late."
I met his gaze, forcing calm into my voice. "They admitted they created this curse. They want me to join them—or die."
Oren gritted his teeth. "Astoria cannot be trusted. You know that."
I nodded, my voice low. "But I also know… they hold the key to breaking this curse. I can't ignore that."
---
Oren looked at me for a long moment, then took my hand. "You're not alone, my lady. I'm here. This curse… we'll shatter it together."
I met his gaze, feeling the warmth of his hand in mine. "Thank you, Oren."
---
We returned to the camp, the fire flickering low. I sat there, staring into the flames, thinking of Armand's words.
*"You are the bride of this curse…"*
My fingers brushed the Valeria pendant at my throat, feeling its cold weight. I didn't know what awaited me at the Astoria temple. But I knew… I couldn't run anymore.
---
As I closed my eyes, I heard the voice again—the voice of the curse that never died.
*"Three nights, Seraphine… and you will know what it means to be mine—or to destroy me forever…"*
I opened my eyes, watching the fire dance. In my heart, I whispered:
"If this must be an ending… I will choose my own."
---