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The realization hit me all at once and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.
Liora glanced over her shoulder, her smile tinged with a hint of regret. “I wish I could stay and talk more, but I need to get back to work. The castle doesn’t run itself, you know.”
I chuckled softly, grateful for the lightness she brought to the conversation. “Of course. Thank you, Liora, for everything.”
She gave me one last smile, full of warmth and understanding. “Anytime, Aria.”
With that, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the garden, and leaving me alone with my thoughts. As I watched her go, I felt a genuine sense of peace settle over me.
I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
One week later
I sat alone at the long table in the dining hall, absently picking at the food in front of me. It was a lavish spread—succulent meats, fresh fruits, and delicate pastries—all prepared with the same care and attention that the servants in the kitchen always showcased, but today, the food tasted like ash in my mouth, my appetite dulled by the weight of my thoughts.
Hades was away, dealing with matters of the realm, and the castle felt emptier without him. I missed him more than I caredto admit. I tried to push my feelings aside, focusing instead on the quiet luxury of the meal, but it was no use. My mind kept drifting back to our time together, to the way he had looked at me, the way he had made me feel—cherished, desired, even… loved.
I hadn’t told him I loved him yet.
I was waiting for the right moment.
I sighed, setting my fork down and reaching for the goblet of wine beside me. As I took a sip, the door to the dining hall creaked open, and I looked up to see Mais sauntering in, her hips swaying with a practiced confidence that made my stomach tighten with unease.
“Enjoying your meal, Aria?” she drawled, her voice dripping with disdain as she made her way toward me.
I forced a smile, though I could feel the tension in the air thickening with each step she took.
“It’s delicious, thank you,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral, even as her presence set my nerves on edge.
Mais didn’t sit down. Instead, she stopped beside me, her gaze raking over me with barely concealed contempt.
“Can I help you with something?” I asked, not rising to the bait she was practically dangling right in front of my face.
She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sneer as her eyes flicked down to my waist. I followed her gaze and felt a jolt of unease as I realized she was looking at the king’s dagger, the one I had kept at my side since the battle against Sungard. He’d given it to me the morning after our time in the grotto.
I blushed just thinking about it.
“So,” she said, her voice laced with venom, “he’s given you his dagger. How charming.”
I resisted the urge to flinch, lifting my chin instead. “He gave it to me for protection.”
“Protection?” Mais scoffed, her sneer widening. “Or perhaps it’s just a leash, to remind you of who holds the power here.”
The tension between us crackled like electricity, the air thick with the unspoken animosity that had been simmering beneath the surface ever since the day we met. I could feel her jealousy radiating from her like a dark cloud, and I knew there was more to this conversation then I had originally thought.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to imply, Mais,” I said carefully, meeting her gaze with as much strength as I could muster. “But whatever it is, I suggest you keep it to yourself.”
She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “You really are clueless, aren’t you?” she sneered. “You think the king cares for you? You think you’re special, just because he showers you with gifts and kind words?”
My heart pounded in my chest, the unease turning to dread as I listened to her words. “What are you trying to say?”
Mais leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, her eyes gleaming with a cruel satisfaction. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into, but I suppose it’s time someone told you the truth,” she snarled.
I felt my breath catch, my hands gripping the edge of the table as I waited for her to continue.
“Do you know about the prophecy?” she asked, her tone almost mocking.
My stomach dropped and I shook my head slowly.
