[Seraphine’s POV]"Seraphine," he begins, his voice gentle but insistent, "you didn't really tell me why you fainted earlier. It was so sudden and unexpected. I need to understand what happened."I take a deep breath, contemplating how to answer without revealing the true reason for my fainting, which is my attempt to travel back in time. I need to protect the delicate balance of this timeline and the newfound hope we share."I think it might have been a combination of exhaustion and stress," I reply, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "The recent events, the battle, and the uncertainty of our future ... it all overwhelmed me."Cassian's concern deepens, and he tightens his hold on me. "I should have been more mindful of your well-being. I promise to be more attentive from now on."His words warm my heart, and I can't help but appreciate his sincerity. Even though I can't share the full truth with him, I'm determined to make the most of this second chance and protect our futur

I nodded, appreciating his concern. With newfound determination, I focused on the power now coursing through my veins. It was an unfamiliar sensation, like having a river of energy flowing within me, threatening to overflow its banks.I closed my eyes, trying to harness this newfound strength. Cassian's hand was still in mine, a grounding presence amid the storm of power surging through me. I could feel his concern, his fear for my well-being.Taking a deep breath, I envisioned the battles we were about to face. I pictured the enemies, their fierce determination, and the need to protect not just ourselves but also the innocent lives hanging in the balance. The image of our mission, to save Silverbrook Haven from the virus, burned bright in my mind.With that clarity of purpose, I channeled the shared magic, feeling it respond to my will. The energy, once chaotic, began to align, forming a coherent force under my command. It was as if I had found the conductor's baton in a symphony of

[Seraphine’s POV]Hours passed, and I made small progress, tiny steps towards control. I learned to call upon the magic when I needed it and release it when it threatened to overwhelm me. It was a delicate balance, and one misstep could result in disaster.But I was determined. I couldn't afford to let this power control me. I had to become its master, its wielder, and its protector. With each passing moment, I felt a little more in control, a little more confident in my abilities.As I continued my silent battle with the magic within me, I couldn't help but wonder if Cassian had known the true extent of what he was giving me. Had he anticipated the struggles I would face in trying to control it?One thing was clear – I couldn't give up. I had chosen this path, accepted this power, and now it was up to me to make it my own. The journey ahead would be long and arduous, filled with challenges and uncertainties, but I was determined to emerge from it stronger and wiser.With renewed dete

[Seraphine’s POV]Every spell I cast, every attempt to control the power within me, was driven by this fear. It became the driving force behind my determination, a reminder of the consequences of my actions or inactions. The stakes were higher than ever, and I couldn't afford to falter, not for my sake, but for his.The mere thought of failing Cassian became a driving force, a relentless motivator pushing me to explore the depths of my abilities. I practiced day and night, pushing myself to the limit, desperate to find the key to mastering this power, not just for my own sake, but for his survival.In the silence of the night, when the world was wrapped in a cocoon of darkness, I whispered my deepest fear to the stars above. "I can't let you down, Cassian. I won't. Your trust in me is my anchor, my guiding light. I'll fight against this darkness, this uncertainty, and I'll emerge stronger. For you. For us."The fear of failing Cassian was compounded by the looming threat of Dorian. Ev

[Seraphine’s POV]With the dwindling remnants of my magic, I slowed down the flow of time around us, allowing Cassian and me room to strategize freely. As everything was confirmed, I grew more convinced that Cassian was indeed stronger than Dorian.However, Cassian was not at his best when Dorian appeared. He was exhausted, drained, and ensnared in an illusion. That's when I thought, maybe if I prolonged the time for Cassian to recover his magic, his chances of defeating Dorian could be significantly increased."Um, Cassian," my mouth moved on its own, interrupting our discussion. It all began with my curiosity about Cassian's relationship with Dorian, a topic shrouded in mystery and hostility between the two brothers."What's your relationship with Dorian?" I mustered the courage to ask, avoiding Cassian's gaze. If not for my insatiable curiosity, my body might have trembled uncontrollably.I couldn't meet Cassian's eyes, possibly reflecting his surprise. If not for my overwhelming c