Crowned in Crimson Cinders

Chapter 47: Another Unexpected Encounter

The morning sun, a soft, hopeful orange, streamed through my windows, painting the room in warm hues. I woke to its gentle light, but I was alone. Darian must have slipped away sometime in the deep hours of the night, leaving me to the quiet solitude.

I pushed myself up on my left elbow, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as last night's events flooded my mind. Brock and Darian, the retrieved note from Amora's room, their swift accusations against Bri. And then... Darian and I. I quickly pushed the memory away, finding a sudden surge of motivation to rise.

To distract myself, I focused on dressing, choosing a simple white shirt with delicate lace sleeves and a short, light green skirt adorned with small floral patterns. When I finally looked in the mirror, pleased with my reflection, I braided my hair into a loose plait that angled over my left shoulder. The sunlight caught the brown strands, making them shimmer, almost blond.

I was about to step onto my balcony, eager for the fresh morning air, when a knock echoed at my door. My gaze darted around the room, searching for my knife, a familiar weight that wasn't there. A flicker of panic ignited in my chest at its absence, but I instead readied my powers, a silent hum of energy at my fingertips.

When I opened the door, Darian stood there, a pleasant surprise that sent a familiar flutter through my heart, recalling the intimacy of the night.

"Sorry I left," he said, cutting off my thoughts. "I just wanted to change into something more suited for what I have planned for us today."

He ran a hand through the back of his hair, his eyes briefly sweeping down my skirt. A blush warmed my cheeks, but I masked it by turning and opening the door wider, inviting him in. He smiled, offering his arm. I hesitated, just for a moment, before looping my arm through his and shutting the door behind us. My brief pause didn't escape him. He chuckled softly.

"Don't you trust me?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes, giving him a playful look. "If there's one thing I've learned this past month, it's that you're the most trustworthy person I know."

His smile faltered, a subtle shift that puzzled me. Most people would be pleased by such a compliment. Did he think differently? A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. I have suspectd that he's been hiding something from me for quite some time, but I could never truly figure out what. I had to trust that it wouldn't hinder any of our plans to bring Am0ra to justice for everything she's done.

"So, where are we going?" I asked, eager for answers, for anything to distract me from my swirling thoughts.

"When I looked out my window this morning, I couldn't help but imagine how beautiful the garden would be," he replied, his gaze warm. "Especially with you there."

In that moment, I wanted to marry him right there in the hallway. I wanted him to be irrevocably mine. It was a bizarre twist, considering how fiercely I'd wanted nothing to do with him when he first arrived. But now, the thought of a life without him felt incomplete. He was my missing half.

I leaned in, intending to kiss him, but he pulled back, a gentle finger touching my lips. "Not yet," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

Not yet? What did he mean? What was so important that it required us to wait?

He led me out, towards the garden I both adored and dreaded. Ever since Amora's attempt on my life within its borders, I'd been more than reluctant to return. Yet, this garden was also woven into my earliest memories—playing with Brock, watching Cliff and Sebastian bickering. Tristan was always the instigator, watching from afar with a grin on his face as the two argued. My brothers... I hoped they were at peace now. I quickly steered my thoughts away, refusing to let grief consume me.