JACE;
I had managed to avoid Luna throughout the day.
My head still hurt badly, and every time I tried to think clearly, the memories only became more confusing.
By the time I got home, my eyes were burning. I quickly wiped the tears from my face with the sleeve of my hoodie before stepping inside.
"I'm home, Mom!" I called out.
"Jace! Hey, honey. How was school today?" she asked with a warm smile from the living room.
I forced a small smile.
"Fine," I muttered quietly before walking straight to my bedroom.
It was late into the night now.
I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling, my thoughts refusing to settle.
My phone suddenly vibrated beside me.
I picked it up.
It was Luna.
"Hi Jace… I wanted to ask, did I somehow offend you? You avoided me all day and it really hurt. If I did something wrong, please tell me. I'll apologize."
I sighed heavily.
She hadn't done anything wrong.
It was just me… and the mess inside my head.
Thinking about it now, avoiding her had been unfair.
I sighed again and turned my head toward the window, staring into the quiet night outside.
Then—
Tap.
A small sound hit the glass.
I froze.
It sounded like a stone striking the window.
Slowly, I got off the bed and walked toward it, my heart beating faster with each step.
I looked outside.
No one was there.
My brows furrowed.
Am I imagining things?
Then I looked down.
And my breath caught.
Standing below the window… was the old man.
He stared up at me, his expression unreadable.
Before I could even react, a voice echoed inside my mind.
"Jace…"
My body stiffened.
"Go back to sleep. You are not done yet."
A sudden wave of dizziness washed over me.
The room began to spin.
My vision blurred as the feeling grew stronger with every passing second.
My legs gave out.
Everything went dark as I collapsed onto the floor right in front of the window.
THE DREAM;
ASTRA;
It has been six months since I was brought here.
Six months locked within these cold walls.
Every day I long to go home… but I can't. Aldric still holds me captive.
I don't even know if he is was an enemy of my father, but the thought of home makes my chest ache. I miss everything — my brother, my parents, the warmth of the palace.
Aldric…
There is something strange about the way he looks at me.
In the six months I've been here, he has barely spoken. He is quiet most of the time, but beneath that silence… I can feel it.
A storm.
A raging one waiting to be unleashed.
The people here tremble whenever his anger rises.
He tries to hide that side of himself from me.
But I see it.
He's hiding something , I feel like he has a lot of secrets. This isn't as simple as it seems.
His stare lingers on me when I walk past.
It skin crawl.
I've seen the way he rules this place — the fear he inspires.
I have never witnessed such terrifying power before.
All I want… is to go home.
I can't stay here.
"Astra."
A deep voice shattered my thoughts.
I turned slowly toward the source of the voice.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked quietly.
"Long enough," he replied calmly. "You seemed lost in thought."
I sighed softly, my breath trembling.
"When will you let me go home?" I whispered.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he stepped forward.
Slowly.
My body reacted before my mind could.
I stepped back.
And then another step.
Why is he coming closer?
My heartbeat quickened.
Suddenly my foot caught on something.
I lost my balance.
Before I could fall, an arm wrapped firmly around my waist.
I froze.
Aldric pulled me toward him, holding me against his chest.
My fists clenched tightly.
I forced myself to look up at him.
Those eyes.
Once red… now finally has regained a dark color.
They were hollow and deep— as deep as the sea without an end.
I knew that behind those eyes lied a thousand secret.
One that could entangle anyone who got caught in it's web.
For a moment, I felt strangely drawn .
It felt so inviting.
Deep down I felt like I was walking into a deadly trap.
I wasn't willing, to be entangled in this strange life of his.
I tried to run, away from him, away from his words. But still, I'm held before him, fist clenched, shivering in fear while those deep eyes stared straight into me, like it could read me.
"Astra…" he said quietly.
"I've told you before...I'm not letting you go."
His grip tightened slightly.
"Stay here… and I will give you the life you desire."
Fear tightened in my chest.
"No…" I whispered, shaking my head.
"I can't...I don't want to be involved in anything that has to do with you."
My voice trembled as I spoke.
"I just want to go home. I miss my family."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"I'm not giving you a choice, Astra."
His voice dropped lower.
"You either stay here…"
"Or I take your brother instead."
My eyes widened in shock.
Rage exploded inside me.
With all my strength, I shoved him away.
He actually stepped back, surprise flashing across his face.
"HOW DARE YOU! Threaten me with my brother!"