The Siege of Shadows: Book one

Beneath the Mask (30) *

"Stay close," he muttered, his voice low. I obeyed without question as we walked through the courtyard. I could feel the other Fae's eyes on me, their gazes flickering with interest and judgment. It made my skin crawl.

Before the stable hand could take the Kelpie, Kael reached into the saddlebag and pulled out the flute. My stomach twisted at the sight. The flute—the one I had been given by a strange Fae years ago, the one I used to control the Kelpies Kael's soldiers rode. I didn't understand why Kael had kept it, but there was no time to ask. His attention was already on me.

"While we are within these walls, only refer to me as Theros," he whispered, his voice cold and commanding. "Never mention my name."

I nodded, my heart sinking. I knew it wasn't a suggestion. "Never speak to the King," he continued, his tone firm. "It would be best if you don't speak to anyone unless they speak first. Do not apologize, don't thank anyone ever. And always keep your head down."

The weight of his words pressed down on me as we walked deeper into the castle. The smooth stone floors echoed beneath our feet. The halls stretched on, each one more pristine than the last, the walls gleaming with polished white stone and crystal. There was no warmth here, no sense of comfort—just cold, empty perfection. The silence was suffocating. Every step felt like it was being watched, and in a way, I knew it was.

I kept my head down, just as he instructed. I didn't dare to look up at the Fae we passed, though I could feel their sharp, curious eyes on me. I wanted to ask questions, to demand answers, but the fear twisting in my gut told me there was no room for questions in this place—not now.

Kael's voice broke through my thoughts, low and steady. "Stay close," he murmured again, guiding me through the maze of corridors. "Don't speak unless spoken to."

The tension in the air felt thick, the walls pressing in on us, making everything seem smaller and colder. As we moved further into the heart of the castle, I realized there was no way out now.

I was trapped in this world of pristine beauty and silent cruelty. And somehow, I knew what awaited us here would be far worse than anything we had already encountered.

Kael's grip on my wrist tightened slightly as he led me down the hall, his movements sharp and purposeful. We stopped in front of a solid white door. He glanced up and down the corridor quickly, but there was no one in sight. With a swift motion, he pushed the door open and pulled me inside, the door clicking shut behind us.

The moment the door closed, the heavy silence of the castle seemed to press down on me even harder. The room was a stark contrast to the bright, immaculate halls—a dark, brooding space.

Emerald velvet curtains covered the floor-to-ceiling windows, blocking out the daylight and leaving the room in shadow. A faint light filtered through from somewhere, but it barely illuminated the space. The bed was large, its frame and furniture dark, the blanket a deep velvet. The walls were lined with black furniture and bookshelves. A chest rested at the foot of the bed, and a black velvet lounge sat in the corner. Across the room, a bathroom door stood slightly ajar, simple but functional.

Kael snapped his fingers, and a fire lit itself in the hearth, casting a soft glow over the room. The sconces along the walls flickered to life, the flames an eerie blue.

"I know it's been a long journey," Kael said, his voice tense, more urgent than I had ever heard it. "Please, take the time to bathe. The king must know of my return and your presence, and he will request us soon. I must have you presentable, or risk his wrath. Bathe, and I will find you something acceptable to wear."

The panic in his voice unsettled me. I had wanted to see emotion from him before, but this wasn't the kind of emotion I had hoped for. This wasn't concern—it felt more like desperation. I instinctively took a small step back.