Chapter 32:"Bound to the Curse"
We finally reached the kingdom. The moment my boots touched the cobbled courtyard, Thalia ran toward me, her long braids swaying behind her as she called out in worry.
"My princess!" she cried, breathless. "Why did you leave without telling anyone? I was worried sick!" She gripped my hand tightly. "Are you hurt? What if something had happened to you? It's far too risky for you to just vanish like that!"
I gave her a soft smile, trying to calm her racing heart. "Thalia, I'm fine. Relax, please. I didn't mean to cause you any worry."
She exhaled slowly, eyes still full of concern. "Next time, at least leave a note," she said, her voice a whisper now. "Come, let me get you cleaned up."
We walked together through the long, candle-lit hallway, the scent of lavender and worn stone greeting us. I had almost forgotten the strange comfort of this place. But that feeling didn't last.
Because then came her.
The one person who managed to make my skin crawl without even trying — my annoying sister. The sister I never asked for.
Solana.
She appeared from around the corridor like a predator that had been waiting, her silky gown gliding across the marble floors.
"Ravena," she said, eyes glinting with something wicked. "Oh, I thought you had finally died. What a disappointment."
I stood still, my expression unreadable. Of course she'd say that.
Her gaze dragged over me with disgust. "Don't tell me you actually joined the army?" Her lips curled. "Are you that desperate for attention?"
"Solana," I said coolly, "I didn't die. So you can go ahead and smash your head against a wall, like you usually do. And why do you even care?"
She gave a fake gasp, hand over her chest like a dramatic queen. "I don't care! I'm just waiting for the day you vanish from this world, so you can stop ruining my perfect life. I should have been the one engaged to the man I love. But no... you destroyed everything, like always."
Thalia narrowed her eyes, stepping slightly in front of me. Her voice held quiet steel. "I don't think you have the right to speak to my princess like that."
Solana's face twisted. "And who are you to speak to me that way? A maid? How dare you!"
Thalia flinched, but stood her ground. I gently touched her arm.
"It's fine," I said calmly. "She's not worth your energy."
I turned to Solana, already used to her venom. "You should leave."
Her mouth opened, but I didn't wait to hear more. I walked away with Thalia beside me, my silence louder than any insult I could have thrown back.
Back in my chambers, Thalia looked at me, still fuming. "She doesn't have the right to talk to you like that, my princess. Why didn't you say anything?"
I gave her a tired smile. "It's okay, Thalia. She's always been that way. Don't worry about me."
She shook her head. "But is that how they treat you here? Like a shadow?"
I nodded slightly. "Always have. It's easier to let them think I don't care."
Thalia looked down, hurt for me. She said nothing more as she helped me undress and prepared my bath. I slipped into the warm water, closing my eyes as it wrapped around me like a soft cloak.
"Oh, gods... I needed this," I whispered to myself, letting the heat soothe my sore body.
But even the warmth couldn't wash away what was haunting my thoughts.
Him.
I couldn't get his words out of my head.
"You've been hunting me for centuries."
What did he mean by that?
Did he know about the curse?
Of course he knew. He looked into my soul as if it wasn't the first time.
But centuries?
What did he mean by that? Had we met before? In another life?
I hated how secretive he was. I hated how much I wanted answers.
I rose from the bath, water dripping down my skin as Thalia handed me a robe and helped me dress in a simple silk nightgown. I lay down on the bed, eyes staring at the carved ceiling above me.
The questions spun in my head like a spell.
And yet... I smiled.
A small, strange smile I couldn't explain.
Something was coming. Something bigger than all of this.
And I was ready to face it.
Meanwhile…
In the dark and lavish chamber of the prince, the silence was loud. The moonlight is filtered through the tall arched windows, casting silver shadows over his pale skin. Damiar lay on the velvet-draped bed like a fallen god—beautiful, dangerous, and unreadable. His dark hair spilled across the pillows, and his eyes, colder than midnight frost, were fixed on the ceiling.
The door creaked open softly.
Nyssira entered with graceful steps, her long red gown sweeping the marble floor like whispered temptation. She moved toward him with the same seductive air she always carried, but this time... he didn't shift. He didn't even blink.
"My lord," she said in a sultry tone, her voice like honey mixed with fire. "You've been so distant lately. You don't call for me… you don't even look at me. Have I done something wrong?"
She sat gently beside him, her fingers brushing over his arm. "Please, tell me. I miss your touch. I miss you."
Damiar turned his head slowly, his gaze settling on her like a sword being drawn.
"And why would you say that, Nyssira?"
She hesitated, confused by his calm but sharp tone. "Because… you haven't touched me in days. You haven't even spoken to me unless necessary. I ache for you, my prince. Don't keep me starved of your warmth."
He sat up slowly, his movement smooth and almost inhuman. His eyes glowed faintly with a dangerous fire. "You ache for me?" he repeated, voice low, almost mocking. "That is not my concern."
Nyssira flinched.
"I thought I meant something to you," she said, voice shaking slightly. She leaned closer, pressing her hand to his chest. "Let me remind you of what we had—what we still have—"
Before she could finish, Damiar grabbed her wrist—not hard, but with enough force to silence her breath.
"You don't know anything about what I feel," he said coldly. "Don't confuse lust with love. You should know better."
Her heart shattered in that instant. "Damiar—please—"
"Leave," he said simply.
Nyssira tried to protest, her lips trembling, but his expression hardened. His eyes burned like dying stars—beautiful and brutal.
"I said… get out."
Tears welled in her eyes as she stood slowly, her pride crumbling. Without another word, she turned and ran from the room, the echo of her footsteps fading in the hall like a broken song.
Damiar exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. But his expression did not soften. Not even a trace of regret flickered in his eyes. His mind was somewhere else. With someone else.
The girl who haunted him.
The one tied to his fate for centuries.
Ravena.