When night had fallen and Eva slept, along with all of Salestas, a new guest arrived at the gates of Valentine Castle. The tall walls and black iron spikes were as forbidding as the howls echoing from the forest beyond. Few dared linger before the castle after dark, especially knowing its master was none other than the only black Seraph of Salestas, the Lord of the North, Hades Valentine.
Yet the woman who stepped from the carriage merely curved her lips in a fearless smile as her red heels clicked along the uneven cobbles. When a servant reached to assist her, she brushed him away, her fingers curling elegantly in dismissal.
At the gate waited a composed, red haired Seraph, Apollo, who showed no surprise at the sight of a woman when he had been expecting a man.
With quiet grace, Apollo bowed just enough to convey respect. "The Lord has been awaiting your presence."
"Well, that's quite unexpected. I thought he'd turn me away, or better yet, meet me with a sword in hand."
