In a divided kingdom where magic is feared and those who wield it are hunted, Ariana, the daughter of a powerful councilman, lives a life of privilege and duty. But her world unravels when she encounters Kiran, a fugitive with the power to command...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I never thought I’d see something that could render me completely speechless. And yet, there I stood, frozen in place like a complete idiot, staring at Ariana as she strode into the room.
The first thing I noticed was the outfit—how could I not? It wasn’t just clothing; it was a masterpiece. Black and gold, shimmering with intricate embroidery and sharp, regal lines. The design was as bold as Ariana herself, commanding attention and leaving no room for doubt about who she was. The sunburst motif on the back of her flowing cape seemed to radiate light, and every detail was precise, immaculate.
She moved like she was born to wear it, her posture straight and confident, the faintest smirk playing on her lips as she caught sight of me.
“Kiran,” she greeted, her voice calm but laced with amusement. “You’re staring."
I blinked, snapping my jaw shut before I embarrassed myself further. “No, I’m not,” I muttered, but the heat creeping up my neck betrayed me.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, and took a step closer. The light caught the golden accents of her uniform, making her seem almost otherworldly.
“You’re definitely staring,” she teased, folding her arms and leaning slightly toward me. “What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing coherent came out. Instead, I just stood there, feeling the weight of her gaze and my own awkwardness pressing down on me.
“Wow,” she said, laughing softly. “I think this is the first time I’ve seen you at a loss for words. Should I be flattered?”
I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”
“And yet, here you are,” she quipped, her grin widening.
She was enjoying this far too much. But the truth was, I didn’t know how to react. How was I supposed to act normal when she looked like... that? It wasn’t just the outfit; it was the way she carried herself, the sheer presence she exuded. It was overwhelming.
“Okay, fine,” I said finally, forcing myself to look her in the eye. “You look... impressive.”
Her smile softened, and for a moment, there was something genuine in her expression. “Thank you,” she said quietly.
Before I could dwell on that rare moment of vulnerability, the door opened, and her mother stepped into the room.
“Ariana, you’re—” Lady Solan froze mid-sentence when her eyes landed on me. I stiffened, half-expecting her to glare or demand an explanation for my presence. Instead, she smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Kiran,” she said, her tone gentle but firm. “I’ve been wanting to speak with you.”
I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like a child caught doing something I shouldn’t. “Lady Solan,” I said, inclining my head slightly in a gesture of respect.
She waved a hand dismissively. “No need for formalities, dear. After all, you’re the one who saved my life.”
Ariana shot me a quick glance, her expression unreadable, before stepping aside to give her mother the floor.
“I don’t think I can ever truly thank you for what you’ve done,” Lady Solan continued, taking a step closer. “But please know that I am deeply, deeply grateful.”
I shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond. “It was... nothing,” I said awkwardly.
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Healing someone isn’t ‘nothing,’ Kiran. You saved me when no one else could. And for that, you will always have a place in this family.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. A place in this family? Did she mean that?
“I—thank you,” I stammered, feeling completely out of my depth.
“And as for my husband,” she added, her voice taking on a sharper edge, “don’t worry about him. He’s a stubborn fool who’s spent too much time chasing power and control. But that’s his burden, not yours.”
Ariana crossed her arms, her expression hardening. “He’s gone too far, Mother. He’s hurt too many people. Someone has to stop him.”
Lady Solan sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. “I know. And I trust that you’ll do what’s right, Ariana.”
There was a heaviness in her tone that made my chest tighten. This wasn’t just about politics or strategy; it was about family, about people who had been broken by betrayal and loss.
“I’ll leave you two to talk,” Lady Solan said after a moment, her gaze lingering on me. “Kiran, remember what I said. You’re always welcome here.”
With that, she turned and left the room, leaving Ariana and me alone once again.
For a while, neither of us spoke. Ariana leaned against the edge of her desk, her fingers absently tracing the golden embroidery on her sleeve.
“You’re quiet,” she said finally, breaking the silence.
I shrugged, unsure how to put my thoughts into words. “I’m just... processing.”
“Processing what?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Everything,” I admitted. “Your mother. Your father. This... outfit.”
She laughed at that, the sound light and genuine. “It’s a lot, isn’t it?”
“You could say that,” I said, allowing a small smile to creep onto my face.
She studied me for a moment, her expression softening. “You don’t have to do this alone, you know,” she said quietly. “We’re in this together.”
The sincerity in her voice caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say. But then I nodded, meeting her gaze.
“Together,” I echoed.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe—just maybe—we had a chance.
