Beauty and Betrayal

Chapter 5 bigger game

Juliette walked beside Jude, her thoughts swirling like autumn leaves caught in a storm. What did Rowan truly plan with the mysterious object? What power might it hold, and what did it mean for her?

"What's going on in that
head of yours, Jules?" Jude nudged her side, a teasing smile on her lips.

"Nothing, just lost in daydreams," Juliette replied, forcing a smile.

"You know you can talk to me, J. We don't keep secrets from each other, remember?" Jude's tone was earnest, her eyes shimmering with concern.

Juliette met her gaze, grateful. "I know, J." They trudged along, following their new, unlikely friends, but the weight of unspoken thoughts lingered between them.

---

*In front of the group, the boys were deep in conversation, the atmosphere thick with tension.*

**Cassian:** *(breaking the silence, voice low and serious)* You need to back off from Juliette, Rowan.

**Rowan:** *(without glancing up, a devilish smirk playing on his lips)* And why would I do that? She's far too entertaining to ignore.

**Cassian:** *(growing frustrated, stepping closer)* Entertaining? You think this is just a game? You're using her to get to the Prism, aren't you?

**Rowan:** *(finally looking up, amusement dancing in his eyes)* What if I am? It's not like she'll know the difference between a knight and a pawn.

**Cassian:** *(leaning in, voice low and intense)* That's messed up, even for you. She trusts you, Rowan. You can't just play with her emotions to get what you want.

**Rowan:** *(grinning wider, sharpening the edge of his blade with deliberate precision)* Manipulating her? You give me too much credit. I'm simply enjoying the game while it lasts.

**Cassian:** *(glaring at him, voice thick with urgency)* You're playing with fire. She could get hurt—emotionally and physically.

**Rowan:** *(shrugging, a dark glimmer in his eyes)* Hurt? Everyone gets hurt eventually, Cassian. I'm just speeding up the process. The Prism is worth the risk.

**Cassian:** *(voice rising, frustration spilling over)* This isn't just about the Prism! This is about a girl who believes in you. If you're using her, you're worse than I thought.

**Rowan:** *(leaning back, a mocking smile curling his lips)* If she's eager to join my little game, then who am I to refuse her? She's not innocent, you know. She has her own agenda, too.

**Cassian:** *(shaking his head, voice steady)* You're dead wrong. Juliette isn't like you. She craves something genuine. You're just feeding her lies to achieve your ends.

**Rowan:** *(leaning in closer, mischief flickering in his eyes)* Lies? Or truths she's not ready to accept? Perhaps she needs a dose of chaos to awaken her spirit.

**Cassian:** *(voice firm, steel in his tone)* You're going to destroy her. This isn't some game for you to win. She's a person, not a pawn in your schemes.

**Rowan:** *(laughing softly, his voice dripping with arrogance)* A pawn? Hardly. Juliette is more like a queen on the chessboard. And I play to win, Cassian. I always do.

**Cassian:** *(sighing deeply, frustration bubbling beneath the surface)* This is why you'll never change. You think you can charm her while plotting your next move.

**Rowan:** *(smirking, unfazed)* Why change when it's so much fun being me? If Juliette gets caught in the crossfire, well... that's a risk she chose to take.

**Cassian:** *(narrowing his eyes, intensity radiating from him)* You're toying with her heart, and I can't just stand by and watch you do it.

**Rowan:** *(standing up, brushing off his hands with feigned nonchalance)* Then don't. But don't expect me to change my approach just because you think it's the right thing to do.

**Cassian:** *(voice low, serious, almost a whisper)* You have no idea what you're getting into. I won't let you hurt her.

**Rowan:** *(walking away, a cocky grin on his face)* Good luck trying to stop me. This game is just beginning.

---

*Later that night, they arrived at a dimly lit inn, the air thick with the scent of wood smoke and secrets.*

"Hello, we want two rooms," Cassian said kindly to the innkeeper, his voice smooth yet commanding.

The lady handed him two keys, her expression unreadable. "Thirty-five gold," she replied flatly, as if quoting a price from a memory.

"By the Cauldron, that's a steep price," Jude murmured, disbelief etched on her face.

They made their way to their rooms, the weight of the evening pressing down on them. Juliette and Jude planned to share one room, but Cassian's sudden request to share with Jude left Juliette paired with Rowan.

"Cauldron boil and fry me," Juliette groaned, exasperation spilling from her lips as she opened the door, bracing herself for the inevitable chaos that awaited her.