The garden was silent, save for the low hum of distant mana-lamps and the subtle crunch of Rena's heels against the marble path. Vines, roses, and heavy stone statues shielded this corner of the academy like a forgotten dream—secluded, untouched, private.
Perfect.
Rena stood with arms crossed beneath her chest, golden eyes gleaming beneath her fiery lashes as she watched Sarafina Frost trail behind her, ever so composed. Even here, away from the curious gazes of students and staff, Sarafina walked like the academy belonged to her.
She always did.
The silver-haired beauty stopped just a few steps away, her arms behind her back, back straight, like a queen arriving to sign a treaty she had no intention of honoring. Her long icy lashes fluttered as she gave Rena a once-over, her eyes lingering with subtle disdain on the redhead's clenched jaw and clenched fists.
"Finally," Sarafina said, her voice smooth like ice over steel. "A moment alone. We don't have to pretend anymore."
Rena scoffed. "Pretend? You mean like pretending you're not a conniving little bitch who dreams of crawling into my husband's bed?"
Sarafina's smile widened. "Oh, Rena. I don't have to crawl. Men like him—dangerous, beautiful men—they come to me. Always."
That was it.
Rena stepped forward, the heat rolling off her like a solar flare. The grass beneath her heels hissed, the tips of nearby petals curling from the rising warmth. Her golden eyes were ablaze, twin suns burning in defiance.
"I don't know what delusional fantasy you live in, Frost," she said through clenched teeth, "but **he's mine**. My ring, my name, my goddamn future. I don't care if you think you're prettier or colder or more ladylike—because at the end of the day, Jien Rotschi sleeps next to me."
Sarafina arched an elegant brow. "Hmm. Does he really, though? Or do you just cry on his chest like a good little girl while he dreams of someone more… stimulating?"
Rena 's fists shook. "You manipulative ice witch."
Sarafina stepped forward now, their breaths almost mingling, her lips curling upward in cruel amusement.
"Sweetie," she whispered, "we both know your fire doesn't scare me. You may burn, but I freeze. And frozen things last longer."
Rena's smile was sharp and lethal. "That's funny. Because everything frozen eventually **melts** under the right heat. And guess what, darling? I'm nuclear."
The air between them shimmered with tension—mana-laced, emotional, almost erotic in its intensity. Two forces of nature, opposite in essence, equal in power.
Sarafina's voice dropped to a hiss. "You're a spoiled brat playing with fire. You want to know what I think, Rena?"
"No," Rena said.
"I think he chose you because you were convenient. Your mother signed the papers. But he'll get bored. They all do."
Rena laughed bitterly. "Is that why you've been watching him since day one? Hoping for leftovers? Sorry, Frosty. I'm not sharing. And if I catch you looking at him like that again—"
Sarafina cut in, her voice low and mocking. "What? You'll burn my hair off? Torch my panties? Please, Amberheart, save the drama for your diary."
A silence fell—sharp, dangerous, electric.
Then Rina stepped in close, nose to nose, and whispered with lethal softness, "Touch him, and I'll end you. Not in the sweet, schoolgirl way. No. I'll **ruin** you, Sarafina. Politically. Socially. Magically. You won't just melt. You'll evaporate."
Sarafina's eyes flashed, lips tightening.
"Try me," she said.
And with that, she turned on her heel, silver hair trailing behind like a comet's tail, leaving behind only the echo of her icy perfume.
Rena stood still for a moment, her body trembling, her heart pounding so hard it hurt. She inhaled deeply, eyes fluttering shut.
Gods… she hated her.
Not just because of Jin. Not just because of the past.
But because Sarafina Frost reminded her of everything she feared becoming—cold, calculating, unfeeling.
And deep down, Rena feared that Sarafina might be right.
That one day… Jin might grow tired of fire.
.........
Heat: Thank you so much for reading.