"Aurora!" Seraphina's voice rang through the corridor. "Come here. Now."

I found her in the sitting room, brushing her long dark hair in front of a gilded mirror. She looked radiant, glowing with the satisfaction of someone who had everything she wanted.

"Yes, Miss Seraphina?"

"Sit." She gestured to a chair across from her. "We need to talk."

I sat down, keeping my face blank while fury burned in my chest.

"I want you to understand something," Seraphina said, still brushing her hair. ...