Lord of Deception

The sun had barely risen over Solaris, its golden light casting long shadows across the castle halls. Yet, within the grand walls of the Royal Palace, there was no warmth, no comfort.

Only silence.

Only guilt.

Elyndra Valcrest sat before a grand mirror in her chambers, staring at her own reflection. But what she saw wasn't herself.

She saw a woman torn in two.

Her fingers trembled as they traced her lips—the lips Kael had kissed.

The memory was still fresh. The way his breath had ghosted against her skin, the way his voice had dripped with dangerous temptation.

"One taste of sin, and you will never crave virtue again."

She had scoffed at his words then. She had told herself that she was stronger, that she was faithful.

But was she?

A sharp knock at her door shattered the silence. She jumped, her heart pounding as though she had been caught doing something forbidden.

It's just a knock. Pull yourself together.

"Come in," she said, her voice carefully controlled.

The door opened, and Auron Starfire stepped inside.

Her fiancé.

Her hero.

And the man she had betrayed.

Auron was dressed in his usual golden armor, a sight that once filled her with pride. But today, she felt only unease. His sharp eyes studied her carefully.

"You didn't return to our chambers last night."

Her breath hitched. She forced a smile. "I was… restless. I needed time to think."

Auron frowned. "Elyndra, what's wrong?"

Nothing.

Everything.

The weight of her sin clung to her like a second skin.

"I've just been… overwhelmed. The war, the politics, the expectations." She let out a carefully measured sigh, hoping it sounded convincing. "I just needed a moment of solitude."

Auron studied her in silence. Then, he reached for her hand.

His touch was warm. Familiar.

And yet…

She felt nothing.

No spark. No fire. No desire.

Not like with Kael.

She yanked her hand back before she could stop herself. Auron's eyes darkened.

"You're not telling me everything," he said, his voice quieter now.

She stood quickly, walking toward the window to avoid his gaze. "I don't know what you mean."

Auron took a step closer. "Is it Kael?"

Her breath caught in her throat.

He was perceptive. He always had been.

"Has he said something to you?" Auron pressed. "Elyndra, I don't trust him."

Neither should I.

But trust wasn't the issue anymore, was it?

Kael hadn't simply spoken to her. He had reached into her, peeling away every layer of certainty she had once held.

And worst of all…

She had let him.

Elyndra swallowed. "Kael is a cunning man. But I know my duty, Auron. I will not be swayed."

Auron's expression softened slightly. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know you won't."

But I already have.

She didn't say it.

She couldn't.

Elsewhere – Kael's Chambers

Kael Ardyn leaned back against his chair, his fingers gliding along the edge of his goblet.

Patience.

That was the key.

Elyndra had resisted him in the beginning. But now?

She was breaking.

He had seen it in her eyes when she pulled away last night. He had felt it in the hesitation of her touch.

She was slipping further and further from the Hero's grasp.

And into his.

Kael smirked, swirling the wine in his goblet.

It won't be long now.

But before he could savor his victory, there was a knock at his door.

A servant entered, bowing respectfully. "My lord, the council has requested your presence. Urgent matters regarding the war."

Kael's amusement faded.

The war.

Right. That.

He placed his goblet down and stood. "I suppose duty calls."

But as he walked through the castle halls, his mind wasn't on the council, nor the war brewing beyond the borders.

His mind was on her.

Elyndra Valcrest.

And how he would make sure she never escaped his grasp.

To be continued.....