Elara's POV
I'm going to be sick.
The lock of Iris's red hair sits on my desk, mocking me. The threat burns in my mind: Stop interfering or we'll start with your friend Iris.
I have two choices. Stay away from Caspian and hope whoever sent this leaves Iris alone. Or tell Caspian and risk making everything worse.
My hands shake as I grab the black envelope. I need to find Caspian. Now.
I run through the empty hallways, my heart pounding. It's late past curfew but I don't care. Guards try to stop me, but I show them the silver whistle Caspian gave me, and they let me pass.
The Noctis wing of the Academy is impressive and intimidating. Dark wood, expensive paintings, magical lights that follow my movement. I've never been here before.
A stern-looking man in formal clothes appears. Miss Ashwood. The Duke is working in his private study. He said to let you in if you came.
Of course he did.
The study is exactly what I'd expect floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a massive desk covered in papers, magical artifacts displayed on shelves. And Caspian, sitting behind the desk, looking up as I burst through the door.
That devastating smile appears. Elara. I was wondering when you'd
I slam the envelope down on his desk. We need to talk. Now.
His smile disappears. He reads the threat quickly, his expression turning cold and dangerous. When he sees the lock of hair, shadows start swirling around his feet.
When did you get this? His voice is deadly quiet.
Tonight. On my pillow. I can't stop shaking. Caspian, they're threatening Iris because of me. Because I saved you. Because you've been I gesture helplessly. doing all this.
Did you see who left it?
No. I was at dinner. When I came back, it was just there.
He stands, magic crackling around him like a living storm. I'm assigning guards to Iris immediately. And you're staying in the Noctis wing where I can protect you.
That'll make things worse! Don't you see? My voice rises. Your stepmother and whoever else wants you dead they're using me now. Using my friends. You need to stay away from me.
Absolutely not.
Caspian
No. He comes around the desk, his eyes blazing. I'm not letting you push me away because someone threatened you. That's exactly what they want.
They're going to hurt Iris!
Not if I find them first. He takes my shoulders gently, forcing me to look at him. Elara, listen to me. You're not responsible for my enemies targeting you. They're targeting you because you're important to me. Pushing me away won't make you safer it'll make you more vulnerable.
Tears burn my eyes. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me.
Then stay close. Let me protect you. His voice softens. Please.
I should refuse. Should run. But I'm so tired of being scared, and having Caspian's hands on my shoulders makes me feel safe for the first time in days.
There's something else, I whisper. The festival. In two days.
His expression shifts. What about it?
You need to stay away. Far away. Bad things happen at that festival.
How do you know?
I just... I have a feeling. A really bad feeling. I can't meet his eyes. Please trust me.
You said something when you were delirious. About my stepmother's betrayal. About the festival. He studies me too closely. How did you know my stepmother was involved in the poisoning?
My heart pounds. I didn't
You did. And you were right. I've been investigating. She orchestrated the whole thing. He steps closer. You know things you shouldn't be able to know. Are you psychic? A seer?
Does it matter?
Yes. His voice drops almost to a whisper. Because if you can see the future, I need to knowdo I survive the festival?
The question hangs between us. In the book, he survives. But he also becomes a monster. Loses control. Kills innocent people.
Including me.
If you go to that festival, I say carefully, you'll become something you're not. Something dark and dangerous.
Then I won't go.
It's not that simple
It is. He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture is so gentle it makes my chest ache. Be my guest at the festival. Stay by my side. Whatever darkness you foresee, we'll face it together.
That's the worst possible idea
Is it? His hand lingers near my face. You keep me human, Elara. When I'm with you, the darkness stays quiet. My magic stays controlled. You're the only person who makes me feel... normal.
Caspian, I can't
One evening. Just one. His dark eyes are intense, pleading. Let me show you that I'm not the monster everyone thinks I am. Let me prove that your bad feeling is wrong.
Everything in me screams to say no. The festival is where it all goes wrong. Where the villain emerges. Where I die.
But looking at Caspian now vulnerable, honest, desperate for someone to believe in him I can't find the word.
I need to think about it, I finally say.
Think quickly. The festival is in two days. He drops his hand reluctantly. I'll have guards posted outside Iris's room and yours tonight. No one will hurt either of you.
Thank you.
As I turn to leave, his voice stops me.
Elara? The truth is, I don't trust anyone else to keep me human. Only you.
The words follow me all the way back to my room.
I don't sleep that night.
Instead, I lie in bed, thinking about impossible choices. In the book, Caspian goes to the festival and loses control because someone triggers his dark side. He kills dozens of students, including me.
But what if I go with him? What if I can stop whatever makes him snap?
Or what if my presence makes everything worse?
Around midnight, a soft knock makes me jump. I open the door to find a guard holding another black envelope.
This was just delivered for you, Miss. The messenger ran before we could catch him.
My hands shake as I open it. The message inside makes my blood freeze:
Tick tock, little pet. Two days until the festival. Two days until the Duke shows his true colors. We can't wait to see which one of you dies first. But just to make things interesting your friend Iris has disappeared. If you want her back alive, come to the Old Bell Tower. Alone. Right now. Tell anyone, and we'll kill her.
Attached is another lock of red hair. And a photograph of Iris, bound and gagged, terror in her eyes.