Aekeira.
She stood alone, wearing regal attire that highlighted her status as a princess. It mirrored the dress she wore on that fateful first night.
Aekeira was heading toward the haunting hallway leading to the forbidden chambers.
“Keira?” he whispered, his voice resonating softly against the desolate walls.
Aekeira turned, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Em?”
“Oh, thank the Lights! It’s really you!” Emeriel exclaimed, rushing toward her and enveloping his sister in a tight embrace. “I tried so hard to believe Grand Lord Vladya when he claimed you were alive, but it was still difficult to sleep at night, Keira. By the gods, I am overjoyed that you’re alive-“
“No, you mustn’t touch me!” Aekeira suddenly shouted, panic in her voice, as she pushed Emeriel away. “Do not touch me.”
Hurt flashed in Emeriel’s eyes. Aekeira had never pushed him away like this before.
“Keira?” he whispered.
“I would not feed him your scent again,” Aekeira reiterated, her voice trembling. “Please, do not touch me.”
“Scent? Feed who? I do not understand,” Emeriel confessed, his mind struggling to understand her words.
“You shouldn’t be here, Em. Please, go away.”
“And what are you doing here?” Emeriel countered, casting an apprehensive glance toward the imposing metal gates. “Come on, let’s leave this place,” he urged, taking hold of Aekeira’s hand.
“No!” Aekeira jerked her hand away. “I need to be here. But you, Emeriel, you shouldn’t be. Leave.”
“What? No! You don’t need to be here. No sane person should be here!” Emeriel seized her hand once more, this time tightening his grip. “Come on, Keira, please, let’s go!”
“I can’t, okay!?” Aekeira’s voice cracked, tears falling and smearing her makeup. She looked completely exhausted, as though burdened by the weight of the world. The sight pierced Emeriel’s heart like a dagger.
His sister no longer tried to withdraw her hand, simply too weary to fight.
“I can’t leave, Em,” she whispered tearfully. “If I do, it will be you who goes behind those closed doors.” Emeriel recoiled at the thought.
But he quickly recovered. “Fine, I’ll go to the forbidden chambers.”
“No, you can’t!” Aekeira stated vehemently, her eyes wide. “Not you, Em. Never you, do you hear me? I will do it.”
Emeriel didn’t want to enter that chamber, barricaded with metal rods, to face the most terrifying beast that lurked inside. The mere thought frightened him to his core.
But he would do anything to protect Aekeira. Seeing her so defeated, he couldn’t bear to witness her suffering.
“Please, Keira, let me go. I want to protect you,” Emeriel pleaded, tears welling in his eyes. His lower lip quivered with emotion.
Aekeira shook her head, and this time, she drew Emeriel into her embrace. He clung to her, burying his face against her neck as tears streamed down his face.
“For once in our lives, let me protect you, Keira,” Emeriel pleaded.
Aekeira stepped back, cupping his cheeks. She offered a watery smile. “I am the elder one here. It is my duty to protect you.”
Emeriel wanted desperately to continue arguing, but determination returned to Aekeira’s eyes. His sister would never back down.
“Okay,” Emeriel nodded at last, conceding.
Aekeira nodded as well, her smile growing wider. “Very well. That’s my brave sister,” she said, planting a kiss on Emeriel’s forehead. “Now, please leave before Madam Livia returns. She stepped away briefly to use the chamber pot in the closest restroom.”
“Allow me to escort you to the door,” Emeriel insisted.
Aekeira appeared on the verge of protest, but Emeriel gently took her hand and guided her forward. Eventually, Aekeira gave in, letting him lead the way.
Although Aekeira tried to appear composed, her hand trembled in Emeriel’s grasp, and her shoulders were tense. She’s terrified.
New tears welled in Emeriel’s eyes, but he quickly blinked them away. If Aekeira had to bear this horrific torment once again, the least he could do was be strong for her. They stopped at the metal gates. Emeriel turned to Aekeira.
“I will remain here waiting for you, dear sister.” A low rumble emanated from behind the door.
Emeriel’s eyes widened. The growl was so frightening he felt an overwhelming urge to flee. To run and never look back.
Even Aekeira’s eyes bulged. Yet, instead of running, she clutched his hands tightly. “Run, Em. Escape from this place. Leave the southern wings altogether! Go!”
“Let’s go together!” Emeriel tried again, desperately.
“What in Tartarus are you two doing!?” Madam Livia barked at them, coming into view. “Come here this instant, Emeriel!”
Emeriel desperately wanted to protest. He opened his mouth…
“Right. This. Instant.” Madam Livia punctuated her words with anger.
Another growl pierced the air, even more thunderous than the first.
Swallowing hard, Emeriel reluctantly released Aekeira’s hand. He walked away toward the head maid.
“Enter, Aekeira. Emeriel, come with me.” Madam Livia marched off, leaving him to follow.
Emeriel complied and followed.
But a part of him-the same instinctual part that urged him to run and never look back-screamed at him to stay. With every step he took away, his skin prickled, and a sensation akin to needles spread through his body. Stay, stay, stay!
Aekeira entered the forbidden chambers through the narrow gate beside the much larger one. It was small and slim, likely designed by the Urekai to allow them to enter in their human forms without having to open the main gate.
She stood frozen, like a mouse caught in a trap, her heart pounding as the towering beast loomed above her. Its menacing growls reverberated through the air, filling the room with an ominous presence.
Tonight, the feral king seemed even more restless than it had been the other night.
The beast drew closer, cautiously sniffing her. Its predatory instincts were on high alert. Aekeira held her breath, terrified that the slightest movement would provoke its wrath. The beast’s massive hand reached out, its claws pressing against her arms, lifting her off the ground with ease. In one swift motion, it dropped her into another corner of the dark room, deliberately positioning her far from the door. Then, the beast turned its attention to the door.
Taking two steps forward, it halted and raised both hands.
Aekeira watched in awe and horror as the creature exerted an astonishing force, pushing against the sturdy oak door. With a resounding crash, the door gave way, splintering into fragments.
Behind the shattered remnants stood the imposing metal gates. The king beast pulled back, gathering momentum before hurtling itself at the gates.
“Oh, the stars!” Aekeira thought, her body frozen with fear.
She remained motionless, seated where the beast had left her, paralyzed by terror. Could the beast truly breach the metal gates and escape?
It soon became clear why Grand Lord Vladya had been so certain the king beast would kill her that other night.
The sheer strength of this creature was beyond comprehension-immeasurable, unfathomable.
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