"We'll leave now," Sorana said, her hand gripping Aurelia's firmly as she guided her deeper into the palace, twisting a heavy key in the lock of a door.
The door swung open to reveal a chamber that stole Aurelia's breath—a room lavishly decorated with fresh flowers, their scents mingling sweetly in the air, and a bed so enormous it could have fit ten people without crowding.
Aurelia's mouth fell open.
"Where is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, confusion and awe mingling in her tone.
"Your room," Sorana replied simply, bowing slightly before stepping aside.
Aurelia stepped inside, her eyes scanning every detail. Despite herself, she felt a strange warmth of approval, a small spark of happiness that made her chest tighten. Beside the bed, the bathroom gleamed with polished marble and sparkling fixtures, promising baths hot enough to melt away her exhaustion and worry.
She couldn't believe this was where she was to stay.
Slowly, she sank onto the massive bed, letting the softness engulf her, closing her eyes for a moment as the reality of the palace—and the life she had been thrust into—settled around her.
"What you did today wasn't good, dancing with Kaelen," Tenebrarum said, his voice low but sharp, each word like ice tracing her spine
"You… you know him?" Aurelia asked, a tremor in her voice, confusion and sudden fear rising in her chest
"Of course," he replied, eyes narrowing, "he's Tenebrarum's brother"
Hearing that, her heart lurched, shattering in an instant. Kaelen… Tenebrarum's brother.
She couldn't believe it. He had been completely different from Tenebrarum—calm, almost gentle, with a warmth she hadn't expected from anyone in this dark, suffocating palace. Her mind spun, realizing just how dangerously close she had come to tempting fate.
Sorana moved silently around the room, arranging the chairs with precise, careful motions, placing a steaming plate of carbonara on the table.
Even as Aurelia lifted the fork to eat, her mind was elsewhere, tangled in the web of what she had done today. Every bite felt distant, tasteless, as her thoughts circled Kaelen—his calm presence, his unexpected gentleness, and the dangerous jealousy it might ignite in Tenebrarum.
Perhaps… she realized with a flutter of both thrill and fear, it had been her first deliberate plan to stir that jealousy, to see the shadow of desire flicker in Tenebrarum's eyes.
But not in this way, two brothers.
How would she have known?
--------------------------------
It was night, the hallways were silent, the music long faded, and the palace was emptied of its glittering crowd.
In her room, Aurelia's gaze fell upon a book lying on the desk, its pages pristine and untouched. She wondered who had placed it there, but a small, unexpected thrill coursed through her—she loved writing, and this would be the perfect diary, a safe place to keep her thoughts away from the palace's prying eyes.
Clad only in a flowing white gown, its fabric brushed softly against her skin, while her hair stirred lightly in the cool night air streaming through the open window. The breeze carried the scents of jasmine and a faint undertone of the palace's dark, lingering power.
"I've prepared the water," Sorana said, bowing low, but Aurelia's attention remained fixed on the blank pages of the book, her mind already spinning with thoughts she wanted to write.
Suddenly, a knock at the door startled Aurelia. Sorana moved swiftly to answer, and the sound of whispered voices passed before she returned, holding a robe and draping it carefully over Aurelia's shoulders, covering her more fully.
"What's happening?" Aurelia asked, her voice tight with unease, the words trembling slightly.
"Lord Tenebrarum summons you immediately," Sorana replied, her tone precise and formal, betraying nothing of the danger that lurked behind her words.
Aurelia's breath hitched. Her violet eyes widened as she stared at the floor, and a cold knot of dread tightened in her stomach.
What had she done to deserve this summons? Every pulse in her body thudded louder, as though the silent walls of the room echoed her mounting fear.
Aurelia froze, the robe tightening around her as her heart thudded against her ribs. The white gown she had left fluttering in the draft lay forgotten beside the open book that still tempted her fingers to write.
"Summons me… now?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, a chill creeping along her spine.
Sorana nodded, bowing as she waited. Her expression betrayed no emotion, only the rigid discipline of someone accustomed to obeying the dark creature's every command.
Aurelia's mind raced, her heart hammering. What had she done? The dance… Kaelen… the eyes that had followed her every move… Tenebrarum's wrath was no trivial matter. She swallowed hard, wrapping the robe tighter around her, trying to steady her trembling hands.
The room felt suddenly smaller, shadows stretching from the candlelight, as though the palace itself had leaned in to watch her. She knew she had crossed a line.
Her violet eyes darted to the book, its blank pages promising the comfort of her own thoughts, a place to pour out her fear and fury. But there would be no writing tonight—not until she faced the dark power waiting for her beyond the doors.
With a shuddering breath, she followed Sorana, each step heavy with dread, every heartbeat whispering warnings of the punishment that awaited her.
Aurelia breathed slowly, forcing herself to stay calm, repeating under her breath, Aurelia, be calm, be calm. Her fingers clutched the folds of her robe as she followed the guard through the endless corridors, each step echoing softly against the marble floor.
The palace felt impossibly vast, corridors twisting like a labyrinth, ceilings stretching high above her head, chandeliers dripping crystal light that caught her red-and-gold dress in dazzling sparks.
Her legs ached, but she didn't dare complain, forcing herself to focus on steadying her breath.
Finally, they reached the door.
The guards halted, hands still on hers, guiding her. Aurelia's heart beat faster, each thump like a drum of warning. She looked up at the door, its dark wood carved with intricate symbols, the aura of authority radiating from it almost tangible.
"Go" Sorana said seeing the tears in her eyes.
Aurelia's fingers trembled as Sorana's words reached her, the single command carrying weight heavier than the palace itself. She swallowed hard, trying to steady her breath, but the lump in her throat wouldn't let her speak.
The guards released her hands, stepping back like shadows fading into the corners, leaving her alone with the door that seemed to pulse with power. Her violet eyes lingered on the intricate carvings, trying to memorize every curve, every symbol, as if understanding them could somehow protect her.
Her chest heaved as she whispered to herself, Be calm, be calm…
With one final shaky breath, Aurelia reached for the handle, her fingers brushing the cold metal, and slowly, cautiously, she pushed the door open.
----------------------------
To be continued...