Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]

Seraphina's POV

"If I'm supposed to be a vessel for Electra, how exactly is it going to work?" I demanded, my frustration leaking into my tone. "Is there something I'm supposed to do? Could it be a ritual, a magic spell, or something else entirely? Just tell me what I need to do to make sure she doesn't die."

Solara exhaled softly, her blue eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn't quite place. "Unfortunately, for the time being, you will have to let fate run its course with Electra. Remain patient until it's time."

My brows furrowed deeply, and a heavy sigh escaped my lips, my heart pounding as I tried to make sense of Solara's words. 'Let fate run its course?' Was she joking?

That wasn't an answer—it wasn't even close to one. "What does that even mean?" I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. "How does leaving her to fate help? Shouldn't you be telling me how to prevent her death since I'm supposed to be a vessel of some sort?"

Solara lifted a hand slightly, a silent plea for me to calm down. "I understand your frustration, Seraphina, but listen carefully. Because Electra's condition has been left unattended for almost twenty years, helping her now won't be as simple as it would have been if I had lived to do what needed to be done. Unfortunately, I was killed before I could, which means you'll have to be patient."

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I swallowed hard. "So you didn't just die after giving birth to her?" My voice wavered. "You were killed? Is that what you just implied?"

Solara's expression didn't change, but something in her gaze darkened. "You heard me right, dear," she confirmed, her tone even.

My breath caught in my throat. "Who?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "That is not why I am here."

My mind was spinning, but before I could push for more answers, she continued. "I do not have much time left, and you need to listen to me."

I swallowed my questions, forcing myself to focus. "Alright," I muttered, "just tell me what I have to do."

Her gaze locked on mine. "For Electra to be saved, the process of dying must be complete."

I froze. "What?"

"Electra must reach the threshold between life and death. She must stand at the precipice, with one foot in the mortal world and one in the beyond."

"That doesn't make sense," I shot back, panic seeping into my voice. "Why would you want her to get that close to dying? Isn't that exactly what we're trying to prevent?"

"It is the only way," Solara said firmly. "Electra's body is trapped in a paradox—her human side is trying to keep her alive, while her phoenix side is trying to claim her. That battle will not end until one side wins, so she must reach the point where her body can no longer resist the pull of her nature."

I shook my head. "That sounds like you're telling me to let her die."

"Not die," Solara corrected. "But she must reach the moment of death."

A lump formed in my throat. "And then what?" I asked hoarsely.

Solara stepped closer, lifting a hand as if she wanted to place it on my shoulder. But before she could, her fingers shifted strangely, and I realized she couldn't touch me anymore.

"In that moment, Seraphina," she said softly, "if you are with her, a perfect opening will appear. That is when you will become the vessel."

My skin went cold. "How?"

"You will know," she said simply.

Frustration flared inside me. "That's not an answer!"

Solara's lips curled into the faintest smile. "It is the only answer I can give."

I clenched my jaw, my breathing ragged.

"And what if I'm not with her in that moment?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Solara's gaze hardened. "Then she will die."

The words hit me harder than I expected. My chest tightened, and I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe.

"You're saying I have to watch her almost die," I whispered, "and somehow, I'm supposed to just know how to save her?"

"Yes."

I shut my eyes for a moment, trying to steady myself. I had already decided I would do anything to save Electra, but hearing it laid out so clearly... knowing that I would have to watch her suffer, watch her collapse, wait until she was seconds away from being gone forever—it made me want to scream.

I sucked in a shaky breath before opening my eyes again. "And after I become the vessel? What happens then?"

Solara hesitated for the briefest moment. "I do not know."

The admission sent a chill down my spine. "You don't...?" I trailed off, feeling an overwhelming sense of unease.

Solara shook her head. "Having an affair with a human has always been forbidden, and the birth of a half-phoenix isn't something that happens very often. So unfortunately, I have no references, and what happens after you take your mother's place... is unknown."

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to process everything. There was no guidebook for this. No certainty and no guarantee that I would even succeed, but there was no other choice.

I had to do this.

"Alright," I finally said, my voice steadier than I felt. "I'll be there when it happens, and I won't let her die."

Solara's eyes softened, and for the first time since she appeared, her expression was no longer filled with sorrow—it was filled with something else.

Hope.

"Good," she murmured. "Then perhaps my daughter truly does have a chance."

The words settled in my chest. I didn't want to just give Electra a chance; I wanted to make sure she lived.

"I have one more question," I said suddenly.

Solara nodded. "Ask."

I hesitated. "Are you sure nothing happens to me?"

Solara's expression turned unreadable. "I can't answer your question, child, but I do believe that as a vessel, no harm will come to you. Your mother was a strong woman, and as her daughter, I believe you are too."

I exhaled sharply. "But I could still die?"

Solara was silent, and that was answer enough.

I swallowed back the fear clawing at my throat. "I don't care," I said firmly. "I'll do it anyway."

Solara smiled sadly. "Thank you, Seraphina."

Her form began to flicker, the air around her shifting as if she were being pulled away.

"Wait!" I stepped forward instinctively. "Is there anything else I should—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Solara was gone, and the air stilled. The garden returned to its normal state, as if nothing had happened, but something had happened.

I had my answer, and I had my mission.

Now, all I had to do was wait.