Lord of Deception

The moon hung high over Lorian's Keep, its silver glow casting long shadows through the stone corridors. The night was still, yet within the private chambers of Elyndra Valcrest, a storm raged.

She sat on the edge of her bed, hands clenched in her lap, breath uneven.

Why had she gone to Kael?

The question gnawed at her, its answer slipping through her fingers like sand. It wasn't just curiosity. It wasn't just suspicion. It was something else.

The way he spoke… the way he looked at her, as if he saw beyond the surface, beyond the title of 'Hero's beloved.' He spoke to her not as some shining symbol of purity but as a woman—with desires, doubts, and fears.

And that terrified her.

A knock at the door.

Elyndra's heart jolted.

"Elyndra."

Valen's voice.

She hesitated before standing, smoothing her nightgown, and moving toward the door. The moment she opened it, she saw the tension in his stance.

Something was wrong.

"May I come in?" he asked, voice tight.

She nodded, stepping aside.

Valen entered, his presence filling the room. Normally, she found comfort in his strength, in his certainty. But tonight… he felt different.

He turned to her, blue eyes sharp. "I saw him today."

Elyndra swallowed. She knew who he meant.

"Kael."

The name left Valen's mouth like a curse.

Elyndra moved toward the window, arms wrapping around herself. "What did he say?"

Valen exhaled, shaking his head. "Nothing outright. But it was the way he spoke, Elyndra. Twisting words. Playing games."

He stepped closer, his voice dipping into something more urgent. "I need you to promise me something."

She turned to him. "What?"

"Stay away from him."

The words struck her like a slap.

Stay away from him?

She should have agreed. She should have nodded, reassured Valen, and pushed away the lingering thoughts that clawed at the edges of her mind.

But instead—she hesitated.

And Valen saw it.

His expression darkened. "Elyndra…"

"I—" she started, but the words stuck in her throat.

Why? Why couldn't she say it?

She remembered Kael's eyes, the way his voice curled around her thoughts like silk.

"You think she belongs to you, don't you?"

Her stomach twisted.

She needed to escape this conversation.

"I'm tired, Valen," she said finally, forcing a small smile. "We can talk about this tomorrow."

Valen hesitated before sighing. "Alright. But promise me—"

"Tomorrow." She cut him off.

For the first time, she saw doubt in his eyes.

And for some reason, it sent a strange thrill through her chest.

—

Elsewhere in Lorian's Keep…

Kael stood in his chambers, gazing out over the courtyard below. The night was clear, the air crisp with the scent of autumn.

Behind him, a figure stepped forward—a hooded informant, a shadow among shadows.

"Report."

The figure bowed slightly. "The cracks are forming, my lord. Just as you predicted."

Kael smirked. "Go on."

"The hero wavers. Doubt creeps into his mind. And as for the lady…"

The informant paused.

Kael turned, his crimson gaze sharp. "What of her?"

"She hesitated."

Kael's smirk widened.

Perfect.

Elyndra was beginning to unravel.

It was only a matter of time now.

To be continued...