The Veil

Fire And Oaths

Rowan helped Emery from the edge of the sink, his hands firm yet gentle around her waist, steadying her as she tried to regain her balance. She was still frail, her feet unsteady on the freezing marble floor, and each step felt as if she were walking on thin ice, careful and cautious. But Rowan was patient, letting her lean onto his broad body as he guided her slowly through the doorway.

They passed by Julia in the hall, who stood with her usual poised grace. She offered a kind smile, her hands gesturing to direct them down the corridor as if marking their path forward Her gaze held a warmth that momentarily soothed Emery's nerves, and with a nod, she turned on her heels and faded back down the hallway, leaving them to continue alone.

Rowan led her into a new room, and Emery's breath caught as she stepped inside. It was nothing like the cold, clinical rooms she'd expected. Instead, the space opened wide, a high ceiling arching above, with sunlight filtering through glass panels and casting warm, dappled patterns across the floor. In the center, a large bathtub was built into the floor, its surface reflecting the greenery that surrounded it. Plants of all varieties hung from the ceiling and curled around the walls, vines cascading down like living drapes, filling the air with the rich scent of earth and life.

There were wooden wardrobes against one wall, crafted in warm, honey-colored wood that added a rustic feel to the lush setting. And near the corner, a queen-sized bed awaited, draped in delicate white silk sheets that seemed to shimmer under the soft light. The air was filled with a faint, calming fragrance, and Emery soon spotted clusters of lavender growing in the small nooks and crannies around the room, their gentle purple hues a soothing sight amidst the vibrant greens.

Her mind felt quiet here, lulled by the beauty of the room. It was like stepping into a hidden sanctuary, a place far removed from everything dark and chaotic in her life. A place that was safe from the violence and loss. Her hand drifted to her heart, feeling its steady beats slow as she took in the surroundings. For the first time in days, she felt a small spark of calm within her, a tiny ember of peace kindling against her storming emotions.

As her gaze traveled over the room, something caught her attention on the wall behind the bed. It was a tapestry, ancient and woven with such intricate detail that it seemed almost alive. The scene depicted a woman, her hair flowing like a river of dark silk, walking with a white beast at her side. The creature was a massive wolf, its fur blending into the folds of her dress as if it were a part of her, branching out from her very being. They moved together in perfect harmony, her hand resting lightly on the wolf's head, their bond almost palpable through the fabric. The style was distinctly Renaissance, its artistry delicate yet powerful, capturing a sense of unity and strength that sent a warm shiver down Emery's spine.

Rowan's voice was quiet and warm behind her ear. "The woman and the beast are said to be one, two halves of a whole," he explained as if reading her thoughts. "Bound by fate, strengthened by each other." Emery felt a strange pull toward the tapestry, as if the figures whispered to her, telling her a story she didn't quite understand. Her fingers brushed against the fabric of her gown, her mind buzzing with questions. The room, the art, and the atmosphere was all so foreign, yet oddly familiar and comforting. It held a beauty she'd never known, a gentleness mixed with something deep, something old, and an unsettling familiarity she couldn't shake.

As Emery's gaze lingered on the tapestry, she felt Rowan's presence shift beside her, his warmth closer, like a mini-heater radiating onto her. He didn't speak right away. Instead, his eyes traced her face, studying her with a tenderness she hadn't expected, as if he was seeing past every barrier she'd ever built.

"Emery," His voice was low and smooth, wrapping around her name like a blanket. She turned to face him fully, and in that instant, she noticed something in his eyes- a flicker, a transformation. His dark gaze softened, yet within, she saw a glint of something raw, feral, and protective in a way that made her heart stammer. She watched carefully as his ruby-red eyes crept into a hue of blue. She felt the presence of his wolf, not just as a part of him but as something powerful and instinctual, coiled beneath the surface. This wasn't the playful glint she'd seen before; it was old, a primal fire that emanated a silent vow. He was guarding her, she realized, not with his words, but his very essence.