CHAPTER 75

Ariana’s POV

I sat cross-legged in the middle of my room, my phone propped up beside me as Harley’s calm voice guided me through the process. The faint glow of my powers pulsed in my palms, flickering like an unsteady flame.

“Good,” Harley’s voice came through the speaker. “Now, focus on channeling your energy, not forcing it. Healing isn’t about control—it’s about flow.”

I took a deep breath, letting my magic hum through my veins. In front of me lay a small, injured bird I had found earlier. Its tiny wing trembled, the injury preventing it from flying. Gently, I hovered my hands over it, feeling the warmth of my power surge forward.

“Imagine the wound mending, the cells knitting back together,” Harley continued. “Feel the energy passing through you, into the creature.”

I bit my lip, concentrating. Slowly, the glow from my hands spread to the bird, wrapping around its delicate body like a soft veil of light. I watched in awe as the trembling stopped, the wing straightening ever so slightly.

My chest tightened with excitement. “I think it’s working,” I whispered.

Harley chuckled. “Of course it is. You’ve always had a gift, Ariana. You just needed the right push.”

I exhaled, withdrawing my hands carefully. The bird chirped and fluttered its wings, testing them before taking off into the air. I let out a breathless laugh, watching as it soared through the open window.

A sense of accomplishment filled me, but it was quickly overshadowed by something else. A feeling I couldn’t quite shake.

Lycus.

I frowned, my heart tightening. I hadn’t heard from him today. Something felt… off.

“Ariana?” Harley’s voice pulled me back.

“Yeah, I’m here,” I said quickly, pushing aside my unease.

“You did well today,” she praised. “But don’t overexert yourself. Magic takes energy, especially healing.”

I nodded, though she couldn’t see me. “Thanks, Harley.”

As we ended the call, I leaned back against the wall, staring at my hands. My power was growing stronger. That was good.

But it wasn’t enough.

The past few days have been frustrating. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find any new clues on Seline.

And the guards were no help. I still remembered the unnatural look in their eyes, the subtle stiffness in their movements. And that terrified me.

If she could control them so easily, who else had she gotten to?

I stepped out of my room, exhaling slowly as I shut the door behind me.

Then, just as I passed by a partially open doorway, a familiar voice caught my attention.

“…The wedding preparations need to be flawless. Nothing less will do.”

Damien.

I forced myself to keep moving, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. I didn’t need to hear more. I didn’t want to hear more.

I turned the corner—and that was when I almost walked straight into her.

Seline.

She stood there, perfectly composed, as if she had been waiting for me. Her piercing gaze swept over me, her lips curling into an unreadable smile.

“Ariana,” she murmured, tilting her head slightly. “Have you already made up your mind about our last discussion?”

I held her gaze, my mind racing. If I agreed, Seline would take it as a victory, another step in ensuring her plan to marry Damien worked. And knowing her, she wouldn’t stop there. She’d manipulate the situation to her advantage, twisting everything to fit her perfect narrative.

But if I refused… would she see me as a threat?

I crossed my arms, feigning indifference. “You seem awfully eager for my decision.”

Seline’s smile didn’t waver. “Of course. A woman likes to know where she stands, don’t you think?”

I studied her carefully. She had easily manipulated the guards, bending them to her will as if they were nothing more than puppets. So why couldn’t she do the same to Damien?

Was he resistant? Or was it simply… different?

The thought unsettled me. If her power didn’t work the same way on him, then she had to rely on other methods—like me.

“I don’t see why you need my opinion,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “Damien’s choices are his own.”

Her eyes darkened slightly, though she masked it well. “True. But you—” she stepped closer, lowering her voice—“you have an influence over him, whether you realize it or not.”

I stiffened.

She smiled as if she sensed my unease. “I only want harmony between us, Ariana. Wouldn’t it be easier if we were on the same side?”

The way she said it, smooth and persuasive, made me wonder just how many people had fallen for her words before. How many had trusted her, only to realize too late that they had been used?

I refused to be one of them.

Forcing a calm expression, I tilted my head. “And what if I say no?”

Her lips curved into something almost amused. “Then I suppose I’ll have to find… other ways to ensure things go as planned.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You seem to forget something, Seline.” I took a step closer, my voice steady. “I can influence Damien. No matter what you try to manipulate, it won’t work.”

Seline tilted her head, then—unexpectedly—laughed softly, the sound light and almost amused. “Oh, Ariana,” she murmured, shaking her head. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Her gaze flickered with something unreadable before she sighed dramatically. “I just… I really want Damien. I love him so much.”

The words sounded almost sincere, but I wasn’t foolish enough to believe her so easily.

Before I could respond, she gave me a knowing look, her lips curving into a smirk. “And I know you’re still talking to Lycus.”

I scoffed, folding my arms. “So, what you’re saying is—either I agree, or I face the consequences?”

Seline blinked at me, tilting her head ever so slightly. When she spoke, her voice was light, almost innocent. “Oh, Ariana, it’s your choice.”

But I knew better.

Her words dripped with hidden meaning. She was letting me know that no matter what I did, she held the cards. She was just allowing me to pick the option that suited her best.

I clenched my jaw. If I refused, she’d find a way to make me regret it. If I agreed… well, I’d just have to play the game better than she did.

With a steady breath, I nodded. “Fine. I agree.”

Seline’s eyes widened in delight, and before I could react, she let out a squeal of joy. “Oh, Ariana! You won’t regret this!” She practically bounced on her feet, lifting her arms as if she intended to hug me.

I took a step back.

Her expression faltered for the briefest moment, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. But then, she smoothed it over with a gentle smile. “I promise, I’ll take care of Damien,” she said softly. “I’ll love him with all my heart.”

I said nothing.

I just watched as she turned and walked away, her steps light, almost graceful.

But something about the way she said it—I’ll love him with all my heart—made my stomach churn.

Because I didn’t believe her. Not for a second.