Chapter 49: "The Prince's Defiance
"Please, my prince… Please forgive my daughter, if she has done anything wrong to you…" Elira's voice trembled as her eyes filled with tears. Her hands shook as she pressed them together in supplication.
Damier stared at her, his face a cold, unreadable mask. His dark gaze seemed to pierce through her soul as he stepped forward, his boots echoing heavily on the stone floor.
"And why," his voice was sharp, each word dripping with disdain, "should I forgive your foolish daughter?" His eyes burned, but his expression remained impassive, almost detached, as if he were beyond mortal emotions.
Elira collapsed to her knees, the weight of fear crushing her down. Her face pressed to the floor in desperation. She knew too well the kind of hell this man could unleash upon her daughter. A storm of emotions raged within her—fear, hatred, confusion. What could he possibly see in that cursed girl? Anger burned in her chest, but she forced it down.
"I beg of you," she whispered hoarsely, tears falling to the ground. "Please… my daughter cannot remain in the dungeon. She will not survive it. Please, forgive her."
Damier tilted his head, watching her with cold intensity. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer, looming above her bowed figure.
"Hmmm…" His voice was deep and calculating.
Elira bowed lower, her forehead nearly touching the stone floor. "I'm begging you, my prince. Have mercy. Spare her…"
The heavy silence broke as the door creaked open. Azelar strode in, the silver in his eyes glinting under the dim torchlight. He smirked as his gaze landed on Elira.
"I have been looking everywhere for you, Damier," he drawled, his tone casual yet mocking. Then his gaze dropped to the woman kneeling pitifully on the floor. His smirk widened. "Oh, well… this is rather interesting."
Elira flinched at his voice and dared to look up. The moment her eyes met his cold silver ones, chills shot through her body. Those eyes were inhuman—sharp, piercing, merciless.
"Oh please, my lord…" she whispered, desperation leaking through her voice. "Can you not plead with the prince? Beg him to forget my daughter's mistake? I am begging you." Her tears fell freely now, blurring her vision.
Azelar crouched slightly, tilting his head, studying her like a predator amused by its prey. "And why," he said slowly, savoring each word, "would I help you? You see, I rather enjoy the sadness in your eyes. As for your daughter…" He paused, letting his gaze sweep over Elira's trembling frame.
Elira's heart pounded in her chest. Something about these two men—this prince and his companion—made it hard for her to breathe. She felt trapped, suffocated by the power in the room.
"Please," she begged, voice breaking. "I am sorry if my daughter has done wrong. But you must understand—she is only trying to reveal the truth, to show you what Ravena really is." Elira's expression hardened through her tears, anger spilling through. "She is not what you think she is. She is cursed—darkness clings to her soul! You cannot marry a cursed girl!"
Damier's eyes flashed with fury. His voice, when he spoke, was like ice cutting through flesh. "Do you want to die, woman? Because I would not hesitate to send you to your grave… along with your wretched daughter."
Elira froze, her breath caught in her throat.
"Speak one word against her again—one word about Virelda…" Damier's voice cracked like thunder, his face darkening with rage.
"Virelda?" Elira's thoughts reeled. Who is Virelda?
But before she could utter another plea, Damier turned sharply and walked out, his cloak sweeping the floor behind him. He did not spare her another glance.
Azelar lingered, his silver eyes locking onto Elira once more. A faint, dangerous smile played at his lips before he followed after the prince.
---
They walked side by side in the dim corridor. Damier's jaw was tight, his fists clenched at his sides.
"How is she?" Damier asked abruptly, his voice carrying a rare note of unease.
Azelar's smirk faded slightly. "Better. Her body has calmed, but she refuses to wake. I tried… but it seems she is far away, lost within herself."
Damier's chest tightened. He pressed a hand against the wall, his face clouded with worry. "What am I to do, Azelar? Tell me something—anything. I would give everything to bring her back. But my powers… they are forbidden. If I try, I will only harm her more." His voice broke for a moment. "I cannot lose her. Not again."
Azelar placed a hand on his shoulder, his tone gentler than usual. "Forcing her awake could destroy her mind, even her soul. She will return when the time is right. She is here—she is not leaving you."
Damier nodded slowly, swallowing hard.
As they continued down the long hallway, Azelar broke the silence. "Your father calls for you. You cannot ignore him forever. I am weary of being the one they pester."
Damier stiffened.
"The king has made his decision. He wants you married—soon. He is not joking this time, Damier."
Damier halted mid-step. His eyes darkened with defiance. "Why can Father not leave me be?"I belong only to her. Without Virelda, I will never be bound to another." His voice cracked with steel, though his heart ached.
He turned to Azelar. "I will face him. But… guard Ravena for me. No one enters her chambers without my consent."
Azelar bowed, his silver eyes glinting with amusement. "As you command, my prince."
Damier nodded once and walked away, his figure fading into the shadows of the corridor.
Azelar lingered, a smirk curling back onto his lips. "Oh… this will be very interesting indeed," he murmured to himself before heading in the opposite direction.
---
I wandered alone through the quiet hallway. The moon shone through the tall windows, its silver light spilling across the stone floor like water. I paused by the wide glass panes, gazing out at the stars. They twinkled brightly, almost mocking my restless thoughts.
How had I ended up here? My life had been nothing but chaos, stolen of peace. There were days I no longer understood myself, days when the weight of everything threatened to crush me. I closed my eyes and drew a deep breath, searching for strength.
Footsteps echoed behind me. I spun, heart racing, my body tense and alert.
"Oh, calm down, my lady," came a smooth, familiar voice.
Kaelen stepped into the moonlight, his presence soothing yet dangerous. Relief rushed through me, though my pulse still raced.
"You are always so on edge," he teased gently, his lips curving into a smile. The moonlight caught his eyes—those strange violet eyes that gleamed like amethysts, deep and hypnotic. He looked almost otherworldly.
For a fleeting moment, I thought of Damier—how his eyes, too, seemed to blaze in the dark. The realization startled me, and I quickly shook it off.
Kaelen tilted his head, studying me. "You seem to love wandering the halls, my lady."
I forced a smile. "Oh, no… I was only seeking fresh air. I thought to step outside for a moment, if it is no trouble."
"Of course not," he said warmly. "You may go wherever you wish. Only…" his eyes softened, "do not stray too far."
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Kaelen!"
I turned sharply at the voice. Theron approached, his expression colder than the night air itself. His eyes flicked from Kaelen to me, unreadable yet sharp.
The tension in the hallway thickened.