In a land where power and deception reign supreme, two unlikely heroes find their fates intertwined in a battle against a malevolent force.
Kelvin, a daring thief, gets caught in a perilous mission to steal a prized horse, only to discover that his...
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The cold stone floor of the prison cell bit into my bare feet as two guards yanked me up, dragging me through the narrow corridors. I knew this path well by now-too well. I kept my gaze forward, refusing to acknowledge the familiar rust and mold that clung to the walls, or the distant echoes of suffering that had become all too familiar. My mind was racing with thoughts of what was to come. Why was I being brought before them? And why wasn't Aurora with me? The uncertainty gnawed at me, feeding the anxiety already curling in my gut.
The door to the chamber creaked open and I saw that the room was spacious but dimly lit, with a large wooden table dominating the center. Seated around it were the figures I had expected and dreaded to see. My father, Commander Sergey, sat at the head of the table, his face as stern as ever. His piercing blue eyes fixed on me, betraying no emotion. Next to him was the grey-haired, rotund figure of Lord Nilsen, who looked as annoyed as I felt. Lord Fergus, the ginger-haired mountain of a man, sat silently, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. Then there was Regent Luca, whose presence always brought a sense of foreboding. His icy gaze was enough to send shivers down anyone's spine. Lady Seraphina Valmont, the only woman present, sat with her back straight, her expression unreadable as she studied me. Lastly, Lord Petrov, who I knew all too well, gave me a cursory glance, his lips curling into a slight sneer.
Lord Nilsen's voice cut through the silence, dripping with impatience. "Where is that girl?" he demanded, his eyes darting to the door as if expecting Aurora to materialize out of thin air.
Richard's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Probably disappeared in a puff of smoke like last time." He glanced at Vladimir, who was standing silently in the corner, his eyes narrowed as he watched the exchange. Vladimir wasn't part of this council, but his presence here as a witness spoke volumes about the seriousness of this gathering.
Luca remained calm, though his tone was no less firm. "I saw her this morning. She'll show up."
As if on cue, the heavy doors swung open again. I turned my head, and there she was-Aurora. She was dressed in a simple brown gown. Her hair, meticulously braided, cascaded down to her calf, glinting in the dim light. There was a certain grace about her, even in this tense atmosphere. But I could see the worry in her eyes, the nervousness in the way she held herself.
That can't be good. I knew that we were both being questioned right now and if they didn't like what they heard... Off with my head.
"Good," Luca said, his voice cutting through the room as he fixed his hard gaze on Aurora. "Now we can start the meeting." He didn't waste time, immediately pressing her for information. "Detail your escape from Morgana and Ignatius to us."
Aurora hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice wavering slightly. "Vladimir and his men captured me and took me to Ignatius, who then-"
"I said to detail your escape, not ramble," Luca interrupted, his impatience evident.
