Seraphine’s Pov

Cold. That was the first thing I felt. A sudden splash of water struck my face, dragging me out of the darkness I had collapsed into. My body jerked upright, trembling, my breath ragged. I was no longer naked, no longer scorched by fire, yet I wore clothes I didn’t recognize, plain and coarse against my sore skin.

I blinked, disoriented. What happened? I remembered the fire, the burning agony that devoured me whole, the moment I gave in and screamed until my throat was raw. I should have died inside those flames. Yet here I was. Alive. Barely.

“Get up.”

The voice was sharp, commanding. I looked...