Song choice, "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals.
I'll be releasing ten chapters to make up for lost time. Enjoy!
The chamber was dimly lit, shadows flickering against the stone walls as the last remnants of dusk melted into the night. King Asher paced, his mind a sea of thoughts and doubts after his encounter with Zarafea. The echoes of her voice lingered in the air, weaving through his consciousness like a haunting melody, both alluring and unsettling.
He could still see her: the way her crystal eyes sparkled with a mixture of hope and desperation, her silver hair cascading down her shoulders like moonlight. Yet, he also sensed the weight of her burden, a darkness that clung to her like a shroud. It both intrigued and terrified him. Asher was no stranger to power, but the power of a goddess was something else entirely.
Damon and Hadrien entered, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity. They knew Asher too well; he was not one to brood without cause.
"My King," Damon began, his voice steady yet cautious. "You seem troubled. Is something amiss?"
Asher halted, his grey eyes narrowing. "Am I not allowed to contemplate my thoughts in peace?" he retorted, his tone edged with irritation. He didn't want to show his vulnerability, not now, not ever.
Hadrien exchanged a glance with Damon. "We know you well enough, Asher. You've been distracted ever since your… meeting."
Asher felt a flicker of annoyance at their perceptiveness but held back his retort. Instead, he leaned against the cold stone wall, crossing his arms. "Zarafea is a goddess imprisoned in the Nightmare Dimension. She seeks my help to free herself, but I can't shake the feeling that she has ulterior motives."
"Ulterior motives?" Damon echoed, raising an eyebrow. "She is a goddess. They do not act without reason, especially one trapped in a realm of nightmares."
"Which makes her all the more dangerous," Asher shot back. "What if she intends to use me to escape and unleash her chaos upon my kingdom?"
Hadrien stepped forward, his expression earnest. "You have to decide if you trust her. Perhaps her motivations are not so sinister. She may wish to break free of her chains, just as you seek to protect Thalorwen."
Asher's jaw tightened. "You speak of trust, but trust is a luxury I cannot afford. The fae do not trust easily; we've learned that the hard way. I have seen what happens when you give someone power—especially one who has been wronged."
Damon chuckled lightly, hoping to ease the tension. "Ah, yes, the infamous fae trust issues. It's like offering a blindfold to a child in a candy store. You know they'll get into trouble!"
Asher shot him a sidelong glance. "And you think that's supposed to lighten my mood?"
"Just trying to prevent you from brooding like a storm cloud, my King," Damon replied, a grin tugging at his lips. "Besides, if you keep pacing like that, you might wear a groove into the floor."
Asher smirked despite himself. "Perhaps you should consider taking up a new profession as a jester, Damon."
Hadrien cleared his throat, interjecting before the banter could spiral. "Back to the matter at hand. You need to decide if you can trust Zarafea. You know the ambitions of your court. They are always lurking, waiting for a moment of weakness. If you do not act, you may allow them to seize the opportunity instead."
Asher met Hadrien's gaze, feeling a rush of frustration. He didn't want to admit it, but his advisers were right. His court was filled with sharks, and he had been swimming with them for far too long. If he didn't take control of this situation, he could very well be outmaneuvered.
"What do you propose?" Asher asked, his voice lowering to a near growl.
Damon stepped forward, confidence in his posture. "We gather information about Zarafea. We will not act recklessly, but we must understand her fully before you decide to engage further."
Asher nodded, slowly contemplating their words. The darkness outside mirrored the turmoil within him, but the idea of exploring this new path intrigued him. "Very well. Dig into her past. Find out what you can about her imprisonment and the true nature of her curse."
The tension in the room eased slightly as both men exchanged relieved glances, reassured by the King's resolve.
"But let me be clear," Asher continued, a steely edge returning to his voice. "If I find that she is playing me for a fool, there will be consequences. I will not be a pawn in anyone's game."
Damon and Hadrien nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
And as the flickering candles cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was already entangled in a web far more intricate than he had ever imagined.