The castle's air had grown heavier since the pact had been sealed. The shadows had not disappeared — they lingered, crawling along walls and floors in quiet, restless anticipation. Selene felt them pressing at her mind as if the ruins themselves were aware of her every thought, every heartbeat.
Auren led her down a long, narrow corridor, his steps echoing softly. The crimson light from the blood moon filtered through the fractured ceiling, illuminating dust motes that floated like drifting sparks of magic. Selene followed silently, her fingers brushing against the cold stone walls, feeling the faint hum of residual enchantments etched into the castle's very bones.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Auren did not turn to answer immediately. His eyes were fixed ahead, golden and piercing in the dim light. "The Thorned Garden," he said finally. "It is the next test."
Selene's stomach churned. "Test? I thought the mirror… the pact… that was the test."
He shook his head. "The mirror was only the beginning. The garden is older, far older than the curse that binds me. It has a will of its own. And it does not welcome intruders lightly."
They emerged through a set of tall, wrought-iron gates that hung crooked on their hinges. Beyond them lay a garden unlike anything Selene had ever imagined. The plants were massive, their twisted branches curling like blackened serpents. Flowers bloomed in impossible colors — deep indigos and crimson that seemed to pulse with life — but each bloom exuded a faint aura of menace. Thorny vines snaked across the ground, moving subtly as if alive, ready to ensnare the unwary.
Selene shivered. The garden was beautiful, breathtaking in a dark, otherworldly way — yet it radiated danger. "It's… alive," she breathed.
"Yes," Auren replied, stepping carefully along a narrow path between the thorns. "And it knows our intentions. It will test you as much as it tests me. Your magic, your resolve, even your courage. The garden… remembers all who have entered before. It remembers failure."
Selene followed him closely, focusing on each step, each heartbeat. Her magic was tingling faintly, a thread of energy connecting her to the environment around them. She could sense the garden's consciousness, a quiet, patient intelligence that watched, waiting for them to falter.
A sudden rustle made her gasp. A pair of glowing eyes blinked at her from behind a thicket of thorned vines. The creature stepped into the moonlight — small, almost human in shape, but with skin like bark and leaves that rustled with every motion. It tilted its head at her, observing, curious and cautious.
"Fae," Auren muttered under his breath, his hand brushing along the hilt of a dagger that seemed to have been made from shadows. "Not all of them are friendly. Many guard this place fiercely. Others… test those who enter for their worthiness."
The fae's gaze lingered on Selene, and she felt a strange connection — a silent communication that bypassed words. It was curious, almost admiring, yet sharp edges of wariness remained.
"Do we… fight it?" Selene asked, her voice tight with tension.
"No," Auren said firmly, but his hand remained close to her for support. "We do not fight unless we must. The garden tests without malice; it simply measures. We survive by understanding, by respecting its will."
Selene nodded, her mind racing. She had survived the dungeon, she had faced the Mirror Hall, and now she stood before a sentient garden filled with dangers she could barely comprehend. She drew in a steadying breath, letting her magic ripple softly in the air around her, a silent greeting to the creatures and plants alike.
The fae blinked, and then it stepped aside, motioning for them to continue. Selene hesitated, looking at Auren, who simply nodded. Together, they advanced deeper into the garden, weaving carefully between thorned vines that seemed to shift subtly to impede their path.
As they walked, Selene felt Auren's presence close beside her, a comforting anchor in the surreal environment. His hand brushed hers occasionally, intentionally restrained yet grounding. Every time their fingers nearly met, a small thrill ran through her chest — not from romance, but from the shared understanding, the trust forged through shared danger.
The path widened into a circular clearing. In its center stood a fountain, long dry, its edges carved with symbols that pulsed faintly under the moonlight. A swirling mist rose from the ground, drifting across the clearing like ghostly fingers.
Auren stepped forward, his gaze scanning the area. "This is where the garden's core magic resides," he said. "If we survive here, we have proven we can withstand the challenges ahead. But beware… the mist can reveal your deepest fears, your insecurities, your memories — and it will use them against you if you falter."
Selene swallowed hard. Her pulse quickened as she stepped into the mist with him. The air turned cold, thick, almost viscous, pressing against her skin like water. Shapes began to form — glimpses of faces, fleeting shadows that whispered and laughed. Memories not her own, yet intimately familiar, danced before her eyes: a young prince, golden-eyed, bound by chains; a woman in storm-gray robes casting a spell that tore apart a kingdom; the castle falling into ruin.
She felt the tendrils of fear brush against her mind, and instinctively, she grasped Auren's hand. His grip was solid, grounding, though he maintained just enough distance to respect her space. The shared warmth steadied her, anchoring her against the mist's probing magic.
"You are stronger than the garden expects," he said softly. "Hold onto yourself. Hold onto me."
Selene focused, letting her magic ripple outward in a protective shimmer. The mist hesitated, and for a brief moment, clarity returned. Shapes dissolved, whispers faded, and she felt a renewed determination.
A sudden movement to her left made her spin. Thorned vines erupted from the ground, forming sharp, twisting barriers aimed directly at her. She froze for a heartbeat, then instinctively extended her magic, weaving a protective pulse. The vines shivered and retreated, but the garden was far from done.
Auren moved to her side, voice low but firm. "The garden tests your courage and adaptability. Every step is a challenge. Every choice matters. Trust yourself."
Selene nodded, heart pounding. "I… I can do this," she whispered.
For a few moments, the clearing was silent, save for the faint rustle of leaves and the distant cry of night birds. Then, from the far edge of the clearing, a new shadow emerged — tall, dark, and impossibly fast. Its form was humanoid, yet inhuman. The air grew colder, and Selene felt an instinctive terror.
"It's another test," Auren said, voice tense. "Prepare yourself."
The shadow lunged toward them, and Selene felt a surge of fear and adrenaline. Magic flared, her instincts sharpened, and Auren's presence steadied her. Together, they faced the challenge, side by side, the unspoken bond between them growing stronger with every heartbeat.
And in the distance, hidden within the thorned maze, a faint whisper carried on the wind:
"The blood of the witch… and the cursed prince… will decide the fate of all."
Selene tightened her grip on Auren's hand. The garden had revealed its first true trial. And she realized, with both awe and fear, that the darkness surrounding them was only beginning to test the courage, trust, and destiny that now bound them together.
The path ahead twisted further into shadow and danger, and Selene knew — the Thorned Garden was far from finished with its lessons.