The Phoenix's Second Choice

"Enough," my father said coldly. "It's getting late. Begin the Sacred Bonding."

The four of us stepped into the ritual formation. Thunder cracked in the sky, and with the altar as a conduit, spiritual energy was drawn from each of us, carving the bond into our very bones.

But the difference in strength between the Phoenix Court and the serpent clan was immense. Soon, both Nyxar and the white serpent began to falter. Drained of power, they both struggled to withstand the pressure.

"Princess... please, help me..." Nyxar collapsed beneath the force of the divine will, blood slipping from the corner of his mouth. He could barely speak as he begged.

Seraphine was about to step forward when Father stopped her.

"Black serpent," he said, his tone cutting, "you should consider yourself lucky to even be matched with my daughter. If you can't endure this, then it's your fate, nothing more."

Nyxar stared wide-eyed at Seraphine, the same woman who had blushed and accepted him moments ago. But now she stepped back, calm and composed.

"Nyxar," she said evenly, "I'm the next heir to the Phoenix Court. Every bit of my spiritual energy is precious. I can't give it to you."

Disbelief shattered across his face.

Meanwhile, Franz began to falter as well.

I moved instinctively to help him, but he suddenly pulled back, avoiding my touch.

"Princess Althea," he said, breathless, "Princess Seraphine is right. If I can't even survive this bond, then I'm not worthy of you."

I almost laughed from the absurdity of it.

"You think you're lowborn just because they say you are? If we're forming a contract, that means we share life and death. Cut the nonsense."

I grabbed his shoulder and poured my spiritual energy into him.

And at last, the ceremony was complete.

Nyxar was drenched in sweat, kneeling where he stood, his lips stained with blood.

Franz, in contrast, remained completely unharmed.

I felt Nyxar's gaze on me and turned. Our eyes met.

His stare was dark and accusing.

But I remembered, in my last life, he was rarely injured. Every wound, every blow, I had taken for him.

Now, after choosing the clan's preordained heir, he nearly died sealing the contract. And he still dared to look at me like that?

I mouthed: Serves you right!

Seraphine didn't notice the exchange. She was busy drawing in spiritual energy, her face glowing with satisfaction.

"Father," she said, "the heavens have spoken. I am ready to receive the inheritance."

The entire Phoenix Court stirred with excitement.

Each time a successor inherited the Court's legacy, they performed the sacred Dance of the Hundred Birds.

The energy contained in that ritual could break barriers—even raise one's divine refinement to an entirely new realm.

My father beamed with joy.

The altar was cleared, a sacred circle forming around Seraphine as she stepped into the center.

She turned to me, her voice mocking beneath a veneer of grace.

"Althea, I know you're bitter that Nyxar chose me, but that's no reason to interfere with the sacred dance ritual. Surely you wouldn't drag the entire clan down over a petty grudge?"

The crowd began to stir, their patience wearing thin.

Some who had never liked me were quick to speak out.

"Princess Althea, whatever problems you have with Princess Seraphine, handle them privately."

"Exactly. Don't ruin the sacred rite for the rest of us."

"The black serpent was right—compared to Princess Seraphine, you fall short in every way."

"If I were him, I'd choose her without a second thought."

Nyxar smiled smugly.

"Althea, everyone sees the truth. I must have been blind to have followed you."

Franz stepped in front of him, frowning, pushing Nyxar aside with quiet force. Then he reached out and gently covered my ears.

"Don't listen to them," he said. "They're full of nonsense."

Just like that, the weight in my chest eased.

I smiled at him, then turned my gaze back to Seraphine, who stood basking in her imagined triumph.

My voice was steady. "Seraphine, you won't become the heir. You won't receive the inheritance. If you try to force it, you'll lose your divine refinement entirely."