The second prince's hand was warm against hers, steadying her as they stepped out in the open air. "Are you alright ?", his voice was soft, carrying that mixture of concern and something deeper, something unreadable. Eliora forced a faint smile. "I'm fine ". He searched her eyes for a heartbeat longer before letting the matter drop.
In his chambers, the door shut behind him with a sharp click, sealing away the faint murmurs of the Palace. Aurien's jaw tightened as he paced , each step heavy with barely contained frustration. The image of her hand in the second prince's lingered like a thorn , pricking deeper with every thought.
A faint shift in the air stilled him. The boy who once existed only in the mirror , now stood fully before him, vivid , solid , close enough to touch. No flicker of glass, no shimmer of distortion. Just a figure leaning against the wall as though he always belonged there.
"What's with the stormy face ?" , lior asked, voice litling with mockery.
Aurien didn't answer, his gaze cold and unreadable.
Lior smirked. "Let me guess - jealousy?, you looked ready to tear him apart out there".
Aurien's eyes narrowed. "Stay out of it ".
"Why? ", lior stepped closer, circling him like a predator playing with its prey. " lt's entertaining, watching you act like some lovesick brute. But let me tell you something..." His smile sharpened. "Ladies don't usually like men who glare at them like prey . They will start thinking you are...a pervert ".
Aurien's glare darkened." Watch your tongue".
Lior chuckled, unbotherd. "You act as if you've never wanted someone badly enough to lose control. But l've been in that head of yours , Aurien. I know how your thoughts twist".
"Do you?" Aurien's tone dropped, dangerous. "Oh ,yes" , lior murmed . His grin wicked. "And between us..... this isn't the first time you've felt this way about her".
Aurien froze , the words hanging heavy in the air . Lior leaned closer , voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper ." Different lifetime..... same hunger. Some things don't change, even after death".
For a moment, the room felt colder, the shadows stretching unnaturally. Aurien stepped forward, close enough that their shadows merged . "Say her name, and l'll rip your tongue out ".
Lior let out a laugh, it was soft although mocking, and far too certain of his place.
They walked side by side , the Palace corridor lit in pale gold from the lanterns above . The second prince's stride was unhurried, his gaze occasionally flickering towards her as though measuring her every breath.
"Are you truly alright ? " he asked again, voice low enough that it felt meant only for her. Eliora's figures tightened slightly around the fabric of her sleeve." I told you am fine ".
"I know what" fine "looks like," he murmured , his lips curving in the faintest smile. "And you are not it ". She glanced away, letting her eyes follow the shifting shadows along the wall." It's not something I can explain easily".
"Then don't explain ",he said . "Just... tell me what you need."
Her steps slowed. For a moment, she hesitated , unsure if the words would sound foolish aloud. " l want to visit the place l used to love", she finally said , her voice quite but steady. "If l can stand where l once stood.... maybe l'll remember. Maybe l'll feel like myself again".
He stopped, turning to face her fully. The softness in his expression was unsettling- like he saw a version of her that she herself had forgotten. "You think the world will give you back your pieces?".
"I have to try", she said . "Even if it's just a glimpse ".
His eyes searched hers for a long moment. Then he nodded, his voice firm yet gentle. "Very well l'll take you. Anywhere you wished to go".
Relief stirred faintly in her chest . "Thank you".
The second prince's smile deepened, but there was something unreadable in it, it felt like a secret folded Carefully between his words. "You never have to thank me , Eliora. I've always known where to find you .... even when you were lost ".
Later in her Chambers, Eliora stepped out onto the balcony. The night was thick with the scent of rain, the laternlight from the Palace, spiling in warm pools , across the stone. She gripped the railing, staring into the darkness.
The earlier flash - the vivid scene that had torn through her mind , still lingered, sharp at the edges. The sound of a name she didn't remember owning, the taste of blood, the pull of something long lost .
A faint movement below caught her eyes . Aurien. He was walking the corridor below, head slightly bowed , his presence stirring something in her chest . It struck her, sudden and cold - every time he was near , the images came. He was the thread , the trigger. Her breath steadied. Decision settled into her bones . Then l'll have to keep him close.
Moment later , Aurien looked up from his desk when the door opened. Surprise flickered across his face ." If you're looking for the second prince's", he began," he's not here-".
"Am not " she cut him off , stepping into the room." I came to apologise..... for earlier ".
His eyes narrowed faintly , suspicion tempered with curiosity.
"And " , she continued, " l want you to come on a trip with me. The second prince will be there too ".
He studied her for a long moment. The offer was unexpected but the thought of her with the second prince, alone , was worse.
"...Fine ", he said at last ." I'll come".
A faint smile touched her lips , but her gaze remained unreadable.
She returned to chambers , Eliora stood by the balcony doors, the moonlight brushing her face in silver. A faint smile curved her lips, not the soft , gentle kind but the kind laced with intent.
Two birds , one stone .
The second prince would take her to the places she longed to see ; he knew her too well to deny her . And Aurien..... Aurien would stay close, a living key to the visions that clawed at the edges of her memories.
She let her gaze drift out into the night , the shadows beyond seeming to lean closer, as if eager for what she planned next . Yes, she thought . Both of them will serve me well .