Court Of Shadows and Lies

41. A Transfer of Fate

I stood in front of the mirror in my room, staring down at my stomach through the fabric of my gown, my hands absentmindedly resting over it.

"She was... what? Three or four months pregnant? How could I possibly be pregnant?" I murmured, more to myself than anyone else. The disbelief clung to my voice, and though I had heard the explanation, it didn’t make it any easier to process.

The silence in the room was suffocating. Serene hadn’t spoken a word since we returned. He just sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on nothing, lost in his own thoughts. His presence, usually so grounding, felt distant now, as though he was a thousand miles away.

I turned toward him, searching for something—anything—in his expression. “Do I look pregnant, Serene?” I asked, my voice quieter now, almost unsure.

But he didn’t respond. He didn’t even glance my way. His silence was heavier than usual. His stillness, the way his hands rested limply in his lap, his eyes staring into a void—he was somewhere far beyond this room.

I walked closer to him, trying to catch his attention, trying to pull him back from wherever his mind had wandered. "Serene?" I repeated softly, hoping this time he'd look at me, say something—anything.

But again, there was nothing. Just the sound of my own breathing and the maddening quiet that filled the space between us.

As I turned away from him to return to the mirror, I felt his hand grasp mine, halting my movements.

I looked back, confusion crossing my face. "What?"

His voice was soft, almost fragile as he replied, "Cessalie, I am sorry I failed to protect you."

I felt a pang in my chest at his words. “Last night, when that woman came, I fought back, but I couldn't save you from this.”

"Serene, you can't do anything," I said, my tone more factual than comforting, trying to ground us both in the reality of our situation.

"No, I can. I know I have power," he insisted, rubbing the back of my hand as if to reassure both of us. "The prince said that I was a sorcerer... what does that mean?"

My eyes widened at his admission. I had hoped to keep this from Serene for a while longer, but that bastard had spilled everything.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Serene, I'm working on this. Don't worry about it."

He shook his head, determination igniting in his gaze. "No. I have power, right? Like that woman and the prince. I can protect you... please help me control these powers."

The desperation in his voice tugged at my heart, a mixture of anger and sympathy swelling within me. "Serene, it's not that simple. You don’t understand what you’re asking. You don’t even know what this means for you."

He leaned closer, his eyes pleading. "But I can learn, can't I? If I can protect you, if I can make sure you’re safe, I want to try. Please."

The intensity of his conviction burned through the haze of my own fears. Part of me wanted to reject his plea, to keep him safe from his curse, but another part—a darker, more selfish part—was drawn to the idea of having him by my side, wielding power that could change everything.

"Serene, you could be in danger. You don't know how to control it," I warned, my voice low, struggling against the rising urge to give in.

"I don’t care! I’d rather take the risk than stand by and let you be hurt again!" His words were fierce, filled with an urgency that left me momentarily speechless.

I searched his eyes for any sign of doubt, any hesitation, but all I found was determination—a mirror of my own. In that moment, the weight of the choices ahead pressed down on us both, and I knew that saying yes would change everything.