The Devil's Obsession
In the far distance, the Ash Valleys still smoldered—remnants of a war won in blood, not peace.
“I crowned myself in light,” Seraphina whispered. “But I rule in the shadow of what comes next.”
Behind her, Dante approached, his steps soft but deliberate. He didn’t speak at first, only placed a hand on the small of her back. It grounded her.
“They’ll expect something today,” he said.
“They always do.”
“And you’ll give it to them.”
“Not what they think.” She turned to him. “The rebellion’s not over, Dante. We ended the figurehead. Not the belief.”