Heirs of darkness

For you(6)

The next day, Aurora was holed up in her bedroom, books spread out before her as she tried to lose herself in her studies. She was doing her best to avoid the real world, the turmoil of her emotions, and the uncertainty of her future. Downstairs, she could hear the low murmur of voices in the common room—Pansy, Daphne, and Millicent, no doubt discussing the latest school gossip.

The door creaked open, and Theo entered the common room, a large bag slung over his shoulder. Pansy looked up, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What's that?" she asked, nodding toward the bag.

Theo gave her a tight-lipped smile. "I can't tell you," he said, glancing toward the stairs. "Where's Aurora?"

"She's upstairs, studying," Daphne answered, giving Theo a pointed look. "You're not going to disturb her, are you?"

Theo didn't answer, just headed straight for Aurora's room. He found her sitting at her desk, her head buried in a thick tome, completely absorbed in her work.

Aurora looked up, her brows knitting in confusion when she saw Theo standing in the doorway. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone guarded.

Theo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he set the bag down and opened it, reaching inside with a determined expression. Aurora watched, her curiosity piqued but tinged with caution.

Then, Theo pulled out something heavy and rolled it across the floor to Aurora's feet. The object came to a stop, and as the firelight illuminated it, Aurora realized with a shock that it was a severed head—Adrian Pucey's head, his lifeless eyes staring blankly up at her.

For a moment, Aurora just stared at it, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. Then, a slow smile spread across her face, a dark, satisfied smile. She stood up, moving toward Theo with a predatory grace.

"You did this?" she asked, her voice low, almost a purr.

Theo nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "For you," he said simply. "To prove that I'll do whatever it takes. I'm with you, Aurora. Always."

Aurora's smile widened, a strange mix of affection and dark approval in her eyes. She stepped closer to Theo, her fingers trailing up his arm, leaving a shiver in their wake. Without another word, she leaned in and kissed him, her lips capturing his in a fierce, possessive kiss. Theo's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and exhilaration flooding his veins. He knew, in that moment, that there was no turning back. He had made his choice, pledged himself to Aurora, darkness and all.

And for better or worse, they were bound together by blood, by power, by a love that was as destructive as it was consuming.