Sahara

In the Ashes: A Thorn in the Path

The palace halls were quieter than usual, the faint sounds of servants moving in the distance echoing through the stone corridors. My footsteps were steady, deliberate, as I made my way back to my chambers, the day's exhaustion weighing on me. I was ready for the silence of my room, the brief moments of solitude that had become so rare with Fatima and Tatianna always shadowing my every move.

But as I turned the corner towards the familiar hallway that led to my quarters, a figure emerged from the shadows, leaning casually against the stone wall as if he had been waiting for me.

Jordan Sulli.

I didn't need to see his face to know it was him—the way he carried himself, with that infuriating air of confidence, the polished arrogance that seemed to seep from every pore. His dark hair, neatly slicked back, glistened faintly in the dim torchlight. His tailored tunic was pristine, as always, the golden scarab of his house embroidered proudly on his chest. His stance, as if the entire palace were his stage, already set my teeth on edge.

I stopped in my tracks, already bracing myself for whatever insipid comment he had prepared this time.

"Lady Chryseis," he greeted, his voice smooth, almost a purr. There was that practiced smile again, the one that never reached his eyes. He pushed off the wall and took a step forward, as if he hadn't just spent the entire day making my life more difficult. "I was hoping to continue our conversation from earlier."

I narrowed my eyes, forcing myself to remain calm. Of course he was.

"Was there something important we didn't cover, Lord Sulli?" I replied, my tone even, though the simmering frustration beneath it was unmistakable.

He gave a small, affected laugh, the kind that grated against every nerve. "Ah, well, I believe our earlier conversation was... cut short rather abruptly." He tilted his head, giving me that all-too-familiar look of false innocence. "I wanted to apologize if I said something that caused you to walk away so suddenly."

I stared at him, the weight of his implication clear. He wasn't apologizing. Not really. He was implying, as he always did, that I had been the one at fault for cutting our conversation short. Typical.

"Is that what you think happened?" I asked, keeping my voice calm, though I could feel my patience thinning with every second.

Jordan's smile widened, his dark eyes glinting. "I understand that sometimes emotions can get the better of us. And I don't hold it against you. It's only natural, given... everything." He stepped a little closer, his tone dropping as if he were about to reveal some great secret. "Which is why I wanted to speak to you properly. To clear the air."

I stiffened, my hand twitching at my side, wishing more than anything I had my ylkwa in hand. "Clear the air about what, exactly?"

He sighed, his tone shifting into something more serious, though still laced with that insufferable arrogance. "Chryseis, I've taken notice of you since you arrived. It's hard not to. You carry yourself with such... grace, such strength." His gaze swept over me in a way that made my skin crawl. "And I think we both know that your place here... could be more secure. If you choose the right allies."

I raised an eyebrow, my annoyance rising to the surface now. "And you think you're the right ally?"

Jordan chuckled, as if I had just confirmed something for him. "It's not about me, Chryseis. It's about what I can offer you. You're clever, strong, capable... but you're still new here. The Eastern Domain is a difficult place to navigate, especially for someone who hasn't grown up within its walls. Having the support of someone like me, someone with influence, would only benefit you. I could help you... secure your future here."