Aurelia turned slowly toward Calvus, her entire body trembling, streaked with the dark stains of what she had done; her breath was uneven, as if every inhale scraped against something broken inside her.
The weapon slipping from her fingers and clattered loudly against the stone floor as if announcing the moment her anger cracked and something colder took its place
"Where is Gaius— how do you know Gaius— tell me—" her voice came out raw, shaking, every word dragged from a chest too heavy to carry the truth she feared.
Calvus didn't back away, didn't flinch.
He didn't even blink.
"He's dead."
The words hit her like a blow, like the floor had been pulled from under her feet.
Aurelia knees weakening, her heart dropping so sharply she felt the air leave her body, her hands shaking violently as her voice broke into a desperate whisper that didn't sound like a voice anymore.
"No— no— no—"
She pushed at him, fists striking his chest without strength, fueled only by the wild grief that tore through her.
Then the fight left her all at once and she collapsed against him, her forehead pressing into him as her breath came in broken gasps and she clung to him as if she couldn't bear to fall alone.
Why would Calvus say this? Why on earth would he say Gaius was gone?
Why would he do this to her—when he was Gaius?
When he watched her fall apart in his arms knowing she was grieving him without knowing it.
Calvus is a cunning liar, driven by his desire for love. He knows he needs to reveal the truth—that he is Gaius, who she believes is her blood brother but isn't.
He carries the burden of having killed Matrona, her mother, and the weight of this past is heavy on his conscience.
Despite not knowing how to atone for his sins, he resolves to take the risk. He is prepared to defy Tenebrarum's trust for the chance to win Aurelia's heart.
She was the only thing in his mind and now she collapsed against him her blood-streaked face pressed to his chest her tears burning through the thin layer of clothing.
Her fingers gripped the fabric of his shirt, determined to anchor herself in a world that felt like it was crumbling.
Calvus stood firm, absorbing her grief, allowing her weight to lean into him. He welcomed her heartbreak, knowing he could take every shattered piece and transform them into something new—something that belonged to him alone.
He lowered his head slowly his breath unsteady as he looked at the top of her white hair streaked with blood and dust and grief.
He felt that familiar hunger tighten inside him.
Desire.
The dangerous urge that whispered she was his to guard, his to save even from the truth.
Her shaking quieted just a little her breath warm against his chest and he allowed himself one small thought a dark steady vow.
She would be the future to bring him pleasure.
"Isn't this a bit too close for comfort?" Sorana's voice sliced through the air—sharp, loud, and unwelcome—interrupting the moment and halting Aurelia mid-breath.
Instantly, Aurelia's tears vanished, as if someone had slammed a door inside her chest. Her body tensed against Calvus, every muscle locking into place.
Sorana stood in the entryway, chin held high, her posture exuding the arrogant confidence she always displayed when addressing Aurelia.
The private maiden appointed by Tenebrarum. The very girl who had cost Felicia her life. The same girl who made it nearly impossible for Aurelia to look at her without feeling a surge of unrelenting rage.
Aurelia stepped back from Calvus with purpose, her blood-stained skin still quivering, her heart beating fiercely with exhaustion, grief, and a righteous fury. She met Sorana's gaze with an icy coldness that could sever bone.
"You again—" Aurelia started, a fire in her tone. But before she could finish, Sorana executed a swift bow, her head lowered in strict adherence to protocol.
She then rose smoothly and firmly pulled Aurelia away from Calvus, her grip strong, her posture unyielding as she navigated through the bustling stable, where horses stamped and the scent of hay and damp earth filled the air.
Aurelia stumbled slightly in the dirt, still rattled and focused on wiping blood from her hands, while Sorana moved forward with the poised confidence of someone well-versed in following commands without hesitation.
Calvus stepped closer, anger flickering in his eyes, his hand rising as if to strike Sorana. But she promptly bowed again, dropping low before his arm could fully lift, her gaze fixed on the ground in a show of respect.
"Lord Tenebrarum instructed me to deliver this to you, my lord," Sorana stated clearly, extending a sealed document upward while remaining bowed. "We leave for the palace today."
Calvus seized the paper, his eyes narrowing as he recognized Tenebrarum's unmistakable seal, its bold imprint heavy in the wax.
Aurelia pulled her arm away from Sorana's grip, her heart racing and anger simmering, but Sorana maintained her position, one knee bent in a servant's respectful pose, unwavering in her duty.
"Not the palace!" Aurelia and Calvus declared in unison, their voices resonating through the filthy stable, where the straw and dust swirled around their feet as if even the air drew back from the palpable tension between them.
Calvus's fingers tightened around the paper, his eyes narrowing as he rasped through the royal seal, disbelief tightening his jaw. A cold, vicious glint flickered in his expression; everything had been proceeding according to his meticulous plan until this moment, and this… this was unacceptable.
Before he could fully process the shock, Sorana stepped forward, bowing deeply. She then briefly lowered her gaze to Calvus as he instinctively lifted his hand, ready to retaliate. She understood better than to meet his fiery glare.
"My lady," Sorana murmured, bowing once more before placing her hands on Aurelia's arm. "Forgive me, but Lord Tenebrarum has ordered your transfer to the palace."
Aurelia yanked her arm away, rage and fear coiling tightly within her. She was desperate to uncover more about Gaius; perhaps Calvus held crucial answers.
And now the palace awaited her, a girl of no status, stepping into the fortress of dark creatures.
When all she wanted was to destroy Tenebrarum. She had even devised a plan to poison his drink with silver.
And now all gone.
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To be continued...