Seraphina couldn't keep the prophecy out of her head. At this moment it felt like her ears were ringing. She lied back on her bed. But she was even afraid to fall asleep. She was worried she would have one of those realistic textbook dreams again. There was a knock at her door. Who was here at this time?

"Come in! The door is open." Sera said. She thought maybe it was Nik. She was surprised to see Sylvia walk in with Nik following.

"Are you okay, Sera?" Syl asked.

That was all it took. Sera's eyes watered. It had been bothering her since she heard the prophecy. "Do you think my mother died because of the prophecy?"

As soon as she spoke those words, tears streamed down her face. Both Syl and Nik 's heart hurt, to see Sera so broken. They went around the bed and hugged Sera from both of the sides.

"Don't reduce your mother's sacrifice to just words in some prophecy, cousin. She did what she thought would protect you." Nik consoled Sera. He had heard about Sera's mother from Uncle Valerius.

"It's just ... so hard, you know? What if my parents met because of..."

"Sera.... The prophecy doesn't define you. Even if there was no prophecy you still would have jumped to save those people from the hunters, that's just who you are. So don't worry yourself with these thoughts. Our focus is to find out what those hunters are up to." Sylvia spoke in a soft tone. She can understand what Sera is going through. If some prophecy had stated she was going to lose her sister, she would have lost it too. The prophecy talked about loss of childhood innocence, what better war for that to happen than, the loss of one's parents. Sylvia also knew this was also just a way of letting out anger for Seraphina as she was yet to confront the one who was actually responsible.

"I...I don't know...if I am the one in the prophecy or not. But you are right, we should focus on catching the hunters. Any progress in finding the base?" Sera wiped her tears, she needed to focus or else the things would go out of hand.

Syl sighed. "Not really! The disappearances have reduced. It's likely that they are being cautious. Perhaps the base we attacked was the one which was holding the people that were kidnapped more recently. But there are still around twenty to thirty people still missing. Don't know if all of them are due to hunters. I spotted a few hunters here and there but it doesn't seem like they are working at the base. I don't want to alert them about our active search."

Nik looks thoughtful for a moment. If he could come across a hunter...

There was another knock on the door. Seraphina's father, Valerius, walked inside. "Papa! Did you need something?" Valerius shook his head, "Seraphina dear, there are a few people who wish to meet you, downstairs."

✧✧✧

The environment was tense. Seraphina couldn't figure out why the crown prince was here. Did he wish to insult her a bit more? But at least he seemed fine with the princess being with her mate, as he was not objecting to them standing side by side. Theron had his hand on Lyra's shoulder, both having wide smiles on their faces.

"Seraphina, I never really got to thank you for saving me. Thank you Seraphina, thank you for saving me." Lyra expressed her gratitude. Seraphina nodded her head, "Your welcome, your highness. I would have done the same for anyone in your place." Lyra smiled, she knew there was more to it than Seraphina ever let on. "Please call me Lyra. There's no need to be so formal."

Cassius cleared his throat, "Ahem! I would like to start by apologizing to you Seraphina. I am sorry for my beyond childish behaviour. When I should have been grateful to you, instead I was clouded by my prejudice and said a lot of hurtful things, which I had no place to say in the first place. I... would also like to thank you, something I should have done long back. Thank you for saving my sister. And I am sorry for being an arrogant shellfish bastard!" There Cassius said it in one go, he didn't have any shame. What he did was wrong and he should start by apologising. Now whether he is to be forgiven or not is up to Seraphina.

"That's one way to put it." Leo was still a bit bitter with Cassius's past behaviour. Nik hid his smile caused by Leo's statement.

To say Seraphina was shocked would be an understatement. She never expected the crown prince to see her again, let alone apologize to her. Maybe she was quick to judge him. Well, if he was recognising his own mistakes, it was her part to forgive him.

"Well I didn't expect that from you, your highness..." Seraphina was interrupted by Cassius. "Please call me Cassius. You can continue..." Sera took note of the change in tone of Cassius, he no longer had that hint of arrogance, it sounded more like he was having a chat with his friends. Sera continues, "Well...Cassius. I certainly didn't think I would be seeing you again. If you are trying to change your ways, then who am I to stop you. I forgive you, cause you didn't really know any better."

"Thank you! And I would also like to help with the hunters." Cassius had a smile on his face. He thought Seraphina wouldn't have forgiven him.

"Umm...Seraphina?" Leo wanted to ask something. Sera turned to him, "Yes Leo, do you wish to ask something?"

"I had been doing some research after... hearing the prophecy. It mentioned a 'Forbidden Tome', isn't that just a fancy way of referring to a book? Could it be talking about the 'Bloodbound Grimoire'?"

Sera's eyebrows scrunched up, " But that's not possible, it has been destroyed by the witch royal family..."

⁠✧⁠✧✧

The realm was dark yet beautiful. The sky was dark, but the majestic creatures flying around could easily be seen. A man walked with her, all she could see was his dark indigo eyes that looked like the galaxies themselves. The little raven flocked around her, happily tweeting.

"Are you that happy to see me Shyra?"

"At this point, all the Beasts love you more than me!"

"Oh! Don't be petty! You are just jealous!"

"Why should I be jealous? When I know you love me the most."

Sera woke up again gasping. This time her veins felt frozen over. She very much preferred the old dreams over this. At Least she could chalk them up to the textbooks she had read. But what she just saw was not a bit related to any textbook but she knew this wasn't a regular dream. It felt so real. She felt she was being warned. Warned about something which is going to happen in the future.

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