Kael's POV
Morning light streams through my office windows.
I've been awake all night. Thinking about Aria. About her scar. About the way she cried when I talked about Seraphina.
A knock at my door.
Enter.
Aria steps in. Black suit. Hair pulled back severely. Her face is a mask. Cold. Professional.
Your Highness. You requested this meeting?
Her voice is ice.
Yes. Please, sit.
She sits. Crosses her legs. Pulls out a tablet. All business.
I've reviewed the preliminary terms. There are several issues.
She starts talking about tariffs. Import quotas.
But I'm not listening.
I'm watching the way she tucks hair behind her ear. The way she bites her lip when thinking. The way her fingers drum on the table.
All of it familiar. All of it Seraphina.
Your Highness?
I blink. I'm sorry. What?
I asked if you agree with the tariff structure.
Yes. Whatever you think is best.
Her eyes narrow. You're not paying attention.
I am.
You're staring at me.
I'm listening.
Those are different things. She sets down her tablet. If you're not interested, we should reschedule.
I'm interested.
Then prove it. What did I just say about agricultural quotas?
I have no idea.
I... was considering your point.
I didn't make a point. I asked a question. She stands. This is a waste of time.
Wait. Please. Don't go.
Why? So you can stare more? Ask inappropriate questions?
I wasn't
You were. Since I walked in. Her voice is sharp. I don't know what you think you see. But I'm just a lawyer. Nothing more.
She gathers her papers.
Give me one more chance. I'll focus. I promise.
Aria hesitates. Then sits. Fine. Last chance.
I force myself to concentrate. To actually listen.
We work for an hour. She's brilliant. Catches things I'd miss. Sees loopholes.
There. She makes a final note. That should cover it.
Thank you. This was productive.
Yes. She stands to leave.
Ms. Winters. Before you go.
She pauses. Yes?
Where did you study law?
Columbia.
When did you graduate?
Seven years ago.
I step closer. And before that?
Various places. My family moved frequently.
Why?
My father's work.
What did he do?
Political consultant. She steps back. Why are you asking?
I'm trying to understand you.
There's nothing to understand. I negotiate contracts. That's all.
I want to know more.
Why?
Because you remind me of someone I can't forget.
Because we'll be working together for weeks. It would be nice to know something about you.
I prefer professional.
Professional doesn't mean we can't be friendly.
Actually, it does.
She reaches for documents. Her hand brushes mine.
Electricity. Instant. Powerful.
We both freeze.
Aria pulls back like she's burned. I should go.
Why do you keep correcting me when I call you Aria?
Because it's too familiar. We're not friends.
Could we be?
No.
The word is final.
Why not?
Because I'm here to do a job. Nothing more.
She walks to the door.
Ms. Winters?
She pauses.
You're lying. About something. I will figure it out.
Good luck, Your Highness.
She leaves.
I go to my desk drawer. Pull out my leather journal.
I open to the first page.
A sketch of a woman drowning. Hair floating. Eyes closed.
I sketched this the morning after I pulled Seraphina from the ocean.
I flip through pages. More sketches. Seraphina at dinners. Laughing. Reading in the garden.
All from memory. From years I watched her, too scared to speak.
I stop at the last page. Done last night.
Aria Winters. In the garden. Moonlight on her face.
I compare them side by side.
Aria. Seraphina.
Different features. Different coloring. But the bone structure...
I grab a pencil. Start tracing Aria's face. Lightening her hair. Changing eyes from violet to blue.
The more I draw, the more similarities I see.
Jaw curve. Nose slope. How she holds her head.
My hand shakes.
I pull out my phone. Call security.
I need a complete background check on Aria Winters. Everything. Birth certificate. School records. Medical history. Every detail.
Any particular reason?
I look at my sketches. Aria. Seraphina.
Just do it. Keep it quiet.
I hang up.
Then stare at the drawings.
Something isn't right about Aria Winters.
And I'm going to find out what.