The heavy thud of the front door echoed through the house as I left the drawing room. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, though one stood out with annoying clarity: I was looking forward to seeing Alpha Devon. That excitement unsettled me in ways I couldn’t explain, or didn’t want to. The last thing I needed was to provoke his Luna with my apparent interest.

Golden afternoon light filtered through the arched windows along the corridor, streaking across the stone floor in warm beams. Dust motes floated in the air, caught in the light like tiny, aimless dancers. As I made my way toward the staircase to head up to my bedroom, I wondered if Mother had changed anything up there since I left.

Yeon appeared at my side like a shadow, matching my stride without effort. His face was neutral, a mask he wore so convincingly that it only cracked under severe duress.

“You’re thinking too hard again,” he said without even looking at me.

“And you’re assuming I have a choice,” I replied.

He chuckled. “It’s your first public dinner as the Supreme Successor. You’re bound to overthink it; it’s just what you do. No one knows how to tie themselves into knots quite like you.” He tilted his head slightly toward me, eyes narrowing just a little. “Don’t be too impressed or bothered by these people. Half of them already resent you. The other half’” he paused, his gaze flickering toward the approaching intersection of corridors, “’will resent you eventually.”

I scoffed. “Comforting. Your pep talks always leave me ready to conquer the world.”

“You’re welcome,” he said with a smirk.

As we rounded the corner, the corridor opened into the main hall. The sheer extravagance of the space was hard to ignore, no matter how many times I’d seen it. The massive chandelier of enchanted crystal sparkled overhead, its shards catching the light like frozen stars. Across the hall, the polished banister of the wide staircase shined like it had something to prove.

“Do you think I have time to go into town before dinner?” I asked. It was unlikely that he would approve, but I needed to see Zaria and Azriel before they left for their sectors, Zaria especially. We hadn’t spoken since my selection, and there were things that needed saying.

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Cullen interjected as he joined us. “Gwen and I have work to do in town anyway, we could all go.”

I turned to Cullen as he led a brunette toward us. She had a calm demeanour and a posture similar to Mother’s, but without the coldness. Her warm amber eyes were welcoming, with a quiet strength in them. If she’d gotten past Mother to become Cullen’s mate, she had to be extraordinary.

“You must be Gwen,” I said, studying her. Her beauty was striking. There was not one blemish on that pore-less face framed by dark curls that fell neatly down her back. I was fascinated, and the fact she was a Fang surprised me. Our family rarely sought or accepted alliances outside our own circles, let alone with Fangs. Why did Mother agree to this?

Her gown was a deep maroon embroidered with golden vines, so simple but so elegant.

Gwen gave me a polite smile and inclined her head. “It’s an honour to finally meet you, Celeste. Cullen has spoken highly of you.”

I raised an eyebrow, throwing a glance at Cullen. “Has he now? All good things, I hope.”

“Mostly,” Cullen said. “I may have left out a few details about your affinity for water pranks.”

Gwen’s smile widened slightly. “From what I’ve heard, I would’ve loved to have a sister like you growing up. It sounds lively.”

“’Lively” is one way to put it,” I said. My gaze lingered on her for a moment. “But Cullen, I didn’t expect you to find a mate so” refined. I assumed anyone who could handle your reckless side would have their own streak of chaos.”

Cullen crossed his arms, pretending to look offended. “I’ll have you know I’m not reckless.”

“Of course you aren’t,” Gwen said, patting his arm with a knowing smile. “He’s spirited, I find it” endearing.”

I laughed softly. “You’re a better woman than I am, Gwen. It’s good to finally meet you. I hope you know what you’ve signed up for.”

Gwen nodded with a small laugh. “I do. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Yeon cleared his throat, drawing our attention. “If we’re all done exchanging pleasantries, we should head out. Celeste has business in town, and I’d rather not keep Mother waiting longer than necessary.”

“Right, right,” Cullen said, gesturing toward the door. “Let’s get going then. I promise we’ll get our duel in later, Celeste.”

I smirked. “I’ll be sure to embarrass you thoroughly.”

Gwen laughed as we stepped toward the front doors, which swung open to reveal the manicured front yard.

Outside, Cullen took Gwen’s hand and led her toward the waiting carriages. Yeon stayed by my side, and I could feel him watching me out of the corner of his eye.

“You like her,” Yeon commented.

I shrugged, glancing toward Gwen. “She seems like a good match for Cullen. She’s got that quiet strength about her. She’ll need it.”

Yeon nodded. “She will. With Cullen being spirited and all that.”

“That’s a polite way to put it,” I replied, laughing.

Yeon gestured toward a row of men standing near the carriages, their all-black uniforms impeccably crisp and neat. “These are your new bodyguards. No one gets past them without my approval.” He introduced them quickly.

I climbed into the main carriage, admiring the craftsmanship. Its dark mahogany frame vibrated mildly from its enchantments, gilded accents glowing as if alive. Inside, the plush seats were upholstered in deep blue velvet, stitched with protective runes that kept the air perfectly tempered. It had two large seats facing each other, each wide enough to seat two comfortably. A window with a neat curtain paralleled the door, and beneath it was a small cabin stocked with refreshments, including vials of enchanted nectar that could replenish energy. The carriage ran on four wheels, but unlike mundane models, it was propelled and controlled purely by magic.

As Yeon and I settled in alongside Cullen and Gwen, the escorts climbed into their carriages, and with a gentle hum of magic, we began moving. The ride was smooth, almost unnaturally so, as though the wheels barely touched the ground.

“So,” Gwen began, her tone warm but tinged with curiosity. “What are you planning to do in town?”

“I want to say goodbye to my friends from the Way of Water Academy before they leave tomorrow,” I said. The words came easily enough, though my mind was elsewhere. Those sigils I hadn’t had time to check, the ones that might’ve led me to Kael. It was a thread I’d have to let go, at least for now.

“That’s right, your selection ritual was today,” Gwen said, her amber eyes lighting up with interest. “By the stars, what path has Gaia chosen for you?”

Her question made me turn to Cullen. His lips pressed into a tight line, an almost imperceptible shake of his head giving him away.

“You didn’t tell her?” Yeon interjected. His brow arched, a smile breaking through his over-particular composure. “I thought that was the whole point of this outing.”

“What am I missing?” Gwen asked, her gaze darting between the three of us.

I leaned back against the plush seat, exhaling slowly before delivering the words that would shatter whatever illusions of normalcy remained. “I was named the Supreme Successor, Gwen.”

Gwen blinked rapidly, her poised demeanour faltering for the briefest moment before she recovered, the shift so subtle it could have been imagined. “The Supreme Successor?” she repeated. It wasn’t shock so much as recalibration. I could almost see the wheels turning behind her eyes, adjusting to this new reality.

“Yes, the Supreme Successor,” I confirmed.

Gwen tilted her head, studying me like one might inspect an unusual artefact. Then, to my horror, she dipped her head in a graceful bow. “Your Grace.”

“By Gaia, no!” I blurted, the words leaving my mouth louder and more panicked than intended. “Please don’t do that. Ever.”

Cullen snorted, thoroughly unhelpful. “We’re all required to address you that way now you know,” he said.

“Do not remind me.” I raked my fingers through my hair with a huff.

The carriage fell into an uneasy silence, until finally, Gwen spoke again. “And how do you feel about it?”

“Thrilled,” I said with a tight smile. “Who wouldn’t want to be the next target of every schemer and power-hungry noble in Wridel?”

Cullen laughed. “She’s underselling it, of course. Celeste has always excelled at making things sound worse than they are.”

I shot him a sidelong glance. “Am I? Because I’m pretty sure I nailed it. You think this isn’t a political death sentence wrapped in a gilded ribbon?”

Cullen leaned back, folding his arms. “It’s also an elevation of our house and your status. The Le Torneau’s are about to become one of the Great Houses. That’s not nothing.”

“True,” I said, gesturing broadly. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”

Yeon cleared his throat, cutting in. “Let’s not terrify Gwen with speculation. She hasn’t had the chance to regret knowing us yet.”

Gwen’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I can handle a little chaos. But this’” her gaze flickered to Cullen, warm but mildly accusatory “’this is more than I expected. You didn’t think it was worth mentioning that your sister is essentially royalty now?”

“I wanted to wait until the right moment,” Cullen admitted with a shrug. “Besides, I knew Celeste would tell you herself.”

“Did you?” I arched an eyebrow at him. “Or were you just hoping to avoid mentioning Mother’s latest decree?”

“Why not both?” he quipped, his grin annoyingly self-satisfied.

Gwen let out a soft laugh, but her gaze lingered on me.’This is” monumental, Celeste. I can see why you might feel overwhelmed, but if you ever need to talk, I’m here.”

I tilted my head, studying her, searching for cracks in her sincerity and finding none. That made me more uneasy than it should have. “I’ll remember that,” I said.

The carriage hit a gentle incline, the hum of the enchantments heightening as we ascended.

“I assume the council is already making their moves?” Gwen asked after a moment.

“They always are,” Yeon said. “They’ve proposed three marriage alliances already.”

Gwen’s eyebrows rose slightly, but she said nothing, waiting for me to respond.

“They’re wasting their time,” I said flatly. “I have no intention of tying myself to someone for the sake of their schemes.”

“That’s bold,” Gwen said softly. “But boldness suits you.”

“Boldness is just stubbornness with better branding,” I muttered.

Cullen shook his head with a snort. “She’ll be fine. Celeste might be stubborn, but she’s also sharp. I fear she is too sharp for the likes of the council and that might just be the problem.”

The carriage began to slow as we neared the town’s square, the cobblestone streets visible through the window.

“We’re here,” Cullen announced as he looked at Gwen. “Let’s make this quick. Mother will have our heads if we’re late for dinner.”

“And by “our heads,” he means mine,” I said, earning a chuckle from Gwen as the carriage came to a stop.