CROWN OF FORBIDDEN HEARTS

"I am not your wife," Zara said sharply, spinning around to face him.

Erythian's expression flickered for a moment, shock, perhaps hurt; She noticed his expression and realised she had to play along as though she was truly queen Lysandra and so she added, with a playful smirk, "Yet."

His lips curved into a smile, but his eyes lingered on her, searching for more in her words. "Well," he began softly, "it's reassuring to know there's still hope."

Zara rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I could ask you the same, my queen," Erythian replied. "The depths of this palace are no place for someone like you to wander alone."

She folded her arms, tilting her head. "Someone like me?"

"Someone who matters," he said simply, his tone gentle but firm.

Zara's gaze faltered, and before she could respond, Erythian extended his hand. "Come, let me walk you back to your chambers. It's late."

Reluctantly, she took his hand, the warmth of his touch both surprising and steadying. As they walked through the dim corridors, Erythian's presence felt strangely comforting.

"How has your night been?" he asked, his voice low and calm.

Zara hesitated, her mind flashing back to the dungeon, the assassin, and the voice that had whispered in her head. She chose to deflect. "Uneventful," she said lightly.

Erythian chuckled softly. "Uneventful? I heard you were heroic tonight—an assassin's blade, and yet you stood your ground. I came looking for you earlier, to make sure you were unharmed."

Zara glanced at him, amused by the admiration in his tone. "Of course, I'm okay. I'm bad-ass."

"Bandits?" he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

She couldn't help but laugh, rolling her eyes with elegant exasperation. "Never mind," she said, her laughter softening into a giggle; she thought how would he even know what badass means?

Erythian watched her closely, his expression soft. "You're… different from anyone I've ever met," he said after a moment.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Zara teased, raising an eyebrow.

"A dangerous thing," he said, though his tone was light, almost teasing. "For me, at least."

Zara felt her cheeks warm but brushed it off with a smirk. "You'll survive," she said, but her voice held less certainty than she intended.

When they reached her chambers, Erythian hesitated outside the door. "You should rest," he said, his voice dropping to a gentler register. "The journey tomorrow will be long. We have a council meeting to discuss… us."

Zara sighed. "Right. That."

He smiled faintly, his gaze lingering on her. "Good night, Lysandra," he said softly as he bows his head and lands a soft kiss on her hands, before turning to leave.

She watched him go, her thoughts became a tangle of curiosity. 

What game are we playing here, Erythian? And who's making the rules?

The morning came too quickly. By dawn, Zara was dressed and ready, though the heaviness of the previous night lingered in her chest. 

The convoy was well-prepared, with soldiers flanking the carriages as they set out. Erythian rode beside her carriage, his presence was a quiet reassurance for Zara, although he didn't say much.

The journey was uneventful at first. 

Zara found herself relaxing, almost forgetting the tension that had gripped her since the assassination attempt.

But then, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew colder, and the shadows beneath the trees seemed to thicken unnaturally.

"What's happening?" Zara asked, leaning out of the carriage to catch Erythian's attention.

His expression had darkened, his gaze scanning the treeline. "Stay inside," he ordered, his tone sharp.

Before she could respond, the first of the creatures emerged.

"HOLLOWS!! Take cover!!!" A guard shouted.

"Protect the queen!!" Erythian commanded as he charged into battle with these creatures.

They were unlike anything Zara had ever seen, twisted, shadowy figures that seemed more smoke than flesh.

They moved with unnatural speed, slamming into the soldiers with deadly force.

The guards fought valiantly, but their weapons seemed to pass through the creatures as if they were fighting ghosts. 

Panic spread through the convoy as the creatures tore through their defenses.

Zara's carriage screeched to a halt, and she stumbled out, her heart racing. "Erythian!" she called, but her voice was drowned out by the chaos.

She turned to see one of the creatures rushing toward her, before it could strike, a deafening roar filled the air.

Zara looked up just in time to see a figure descending from the sky, massive wings casting a shadow over the battlefield. The wind from his landing was so strong it nearly knocked her off her feet.

The man who stood before her was striking, his presence commanding and dangerous. His Black hair caught the light, and his piercing eyes seemed to see straight through to her. He raised his hand and out of it came a wave of fire, and the creatures recoiled as in pain while screeching.

With a single motion, he dispatched the remaining shadows, their forms dissolving into nothingness. The battlefield was silent now, the soldiers staring in stunned awe.

Erythian looks pissed.

Zara's heart pounded as the man turns to her with an unreadable expression.

He was taller than she'd expected, his wings stretching wide behind him before folding gracefully against his back,his presence was sharp and unnerving. His jet-black hair contrasting with his striking light honey-brown eyes that seemed to glow with intensity. 

There was a dangerous air about him, a quiet menace in the way he carried himself. Every move he made exuded confidence, bordering on arrogance, as though he believed the world bent to his will.

"Who… who are you?" Zara asked, her voice trembling slightly.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze fixed on her. "You're playing a game you don't understand, little queen," he said, his voice low and menacing.

Zara felt a chill run down her spine. "What do you mean?" she demanded, though her voice wavered.

His lips curved into a faint, humorless smile.

Before she could say anything, his wings spread wide, and with a powerful gust of wind, he launched into the sky, disappearing as quickly as he'd appeared.

Zara stood frozen, her mind racing. The soldiers began to regroup, but their murmurs of confusion and fear filled the air.

Erythian was at her side moments later, his face pale. "Zara, are you hurt?"

She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who was that?"

Erythian's jaw tightened. "Alaric," he said grimly.

Zara's chest tightened. "Why did he spare me?"

Erythian didn't answer.

Whatever game they were caught in, Zara realized, was far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.