The Cael Estate sat on the edge of Tartarus like a crown of ice and blood.
Its blackstone walls climbed high into the gray sky, speared by towers and ringed by wards that shimmered faintly in the dying light. Solene stared up at the place she once called home, jaw tight, shoulder tense.
Seraphyne stood beside her, shadow magic pulsing faintly under her skin. She hated places like this—built to look holy but reeking of secrets. She was ready to burn a path through the gate, but Solene had stopped her with one quiet gesture.
"Wait," she'd said. "There's someone."
Now they stood at the outer courtyard entrance, the frost swirling around their boots, as the heavy doors creaked open.
A woman stepped through.
Older than Solene but not by much, in a modest servant's dress lined with Cael crimson. Her dark brown hair was braided tight. Her face was pale, unreadable. But her eyes—
They were brimming with sorrow.
"Lira," Solene said.
The maid's voice cracked the moment she spoke. "Solene…"
She didn't bow. Didn't smile. She just held something out in both hands.
A letter.
The paper was creased, folded with care. Cael seal. Familiar handwriting.
Solene didn't move.
"She told me… she said if you ever came back…" Lira looked down. "She left this. I was to give it to you. No matter what."
Seraphyne narrowed her eyes. Her body shifted slightly, prepared to intercept—just in case.
Solene stepped forward. She took the letter.
She didn't speak while she opened it. Didn't breathe.
The words inside were in Nerys's hand.
Solene,
I lied. I never loved you. You were a weakness I had to outgrow.
Don't come back. There's nothing for you here.
Forget me.
—Nerys
Solene stared at the words. Long and hard.
Not a single tear.
Not a single word.
But Seraphyne saw it happen—the collapse behind her eyes. Not loud. Not sudden.
Silent.
Like frost shattering from within.
"No," Solene whispered.
Lira flinched.
"She didn't write this," Solene said, voice shaking now. "She wouldn't. Not like this. Not to me."
Seraphyne took a step closer. "It's forged."
"She copied the style. Mother could do it. She's seen our letters."
"Solene—" Lira said, voice breaking.
Solene turned to her. "Where is she?"
"I… I don't know."
"Lira."
"I swear," Lira said, eyes brimming. "They took her below the estate. Into the catacombs. No one's seen her since. But that letter—Lady Adriana gave it to me, said Nerys wrote it under oath. I don't know what's real anymore."
Seraphyne touched Solene's shoulder lightly. "You do."
Solene looked down at the letter again. Her hands trembled. Then, slowly, they stopped.
The frost on her skin thickened.
She folded the paper, clean and neat.
Then she looked up, voice low. Steady.
"Take us inside."
Lira hesitated. Then nodded.
And without another word, the two women followed her toward the doors.
Toward the heart of the Cael estate.
Toward the truth.