Shadows in the Glass

Chapter 6 - Whispers of the Forgotten Past

Aurelia's POV - Council Garden 

The sunlight spilled softly over Aurelia as she stepped into the castle garden, its quiet beauty both enchanting and haunting. The air was crisp, almost otherworldly, laced with the fragrance of flowers she had never encountered before—deep purples and ghostly whites, each petal shimmering as though woven from the very fabric of Aetherra itself. She now knew the name of this strange, ethereal city; the dark-haired gentleman who had welcomed her had called it by that name.

"Welcome to Aetherra, Aurelia," he had said, his voice low and gravelly, carrying a weight that sent a shiver up her spine. "You're expected in the council's garden to meet with Councilman Malrik." His directions had been curt and precise, but even so, Aurelia worried her poor sense of direction might betray her.

She had been summoned by Malrik, a council member yet unknown to her. A curious blend of apprehension and intrigue bubbled within her as she wandered through the maze of shadowed hedges and towering trees. Every plant and leaf seemed to glow with an unsettling brilliance, as though something ancient pulsed beneath their surfaces.

In the distance, she spotted him—Malrik, a tall, imposing figure, his sleek dark hair streaked with gray. He stood with his back to her, his posture both regal and austere. The gold accents on his elaborate robes caught the sunlight, shimmering like threads of molten metal. His stance, still and powerful, made her hesitate, but she steeled herself and approached.

His sharp eyes, set in a face that could have been carved from marble, were focused ahead, hands clasped behind his back. Even from here, she could see the small horns curling just above his temples, catching the sunlight like jewels. They were much smaller than Raphael's, which intrigued her. Was there a rank or age difference between them?

When she finally drew near, Malrik turned to face her, his icy gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch in her throat.

"Lady Aurelia," he greeted her in a voice as smooth as silk, though the weight behind it made it feel heavier. "I've been expecting you."

Swallowing the sudden surge of anxiety, Aurelia straightened her posture, determined to meet his gaze with strength. There was something disconcerting about him, a subtle danger lurking just beneath the surface.

"Malrik?" she asked, hoping her voice didn't betray her unease. He offered a slight nod, his expression unchanged.

"Please," he gestured to a stone bench beside the reflective garden pool. She hesitated, then sat, her hands folding tightly in her lap.

"You must have questions," Malrik said, his eyes studying her as though he could read every thought before she even voiced them. "I will do my best to answer."

Aurelia felt a chill crawl up her spine, despite the warmth of the garden. Something in his tone, in the way his eyes lingered on her, felt off. He was too calm, too collected—as though he had rehearsed this conversation countless times before. His words seemed well-measured, like a carefully woven net meant to capture her trust. But there was something beneath the surface of his gaze that made her skin prickle, a flicker of calculation that hinted he wasn't telling her everything.

She hesitated for a beat, searching his face, hoping to catch even the slightest crack in his composed mask. What is he hiding? she wondered. Why do I feel like I'm being led along a path he's already planned out for me?

Her heartbeat quickened. Trust didn't come easily to her, and Malrik's careful demeanour only solidified her suspicion that there was more going on here than he was willing to reveal.

The weight of his words seemed to press down on her, but Aurelia swallowed her apprehension and gathered her resolve.

"Then tell me," she began, her voice steady, though her heart hammered against her ribs. "What is this place? Why am I here?"