Arin arrived at the old oak grove at midnight, his heart racing with anticipation. He had barely slept since his encounter with Lirien, and his mind was filled with questions. What did she want to meet him for? Was she trying to sabotage their marriage or warn him about something?
As he approached the grove, he noticed a figure standing in the shadows. It was Lirien, her white hair glowing in the moonlight.
"Prince Arin," she said, her voice low and husky. "I see you're punctual."
Arin nodded, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. "I couldn't sleep. I had to know more about you."
Lirien stepped closer, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're curious about me, I suppose."
Arin felt a shiver run down his spine as she reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind his ear. Her touch sent sparks flying through his veins.
"Tell me, Prince Arin," she said, her voice husky. "What do you know about the curse?"
Arin's instincts told him to be cautious, but something about Lirien's directness put him at ease. "The curse?" he repeated. "What curse?"
Lirien's eyes seemed to bore into his soul. "The one that binds me to El'goroth. The one that will kill me if I leave."
Arin felt a cold dread creeping up his spine. "You mean... you're under a death sentence?"
Lirien nodded, her expression somber. "Yes. And I'm not sure how much longer I can hold on."
Arin's mind reeled as he tried to process this revelation. A death sentence? How could this be? And why was Lirien keeping it a secret?
"What about our marriage?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lirien's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't pretend you care about me, Prince Arin. You're only concerned about your own fate."
Arin felt a pang of guilt. Was she right? He had come here thinking only of himself.
But then he looked into Lirien's eyes and saw the desperation there. She was trapped, bound by some ancient curse that he didn't understand.
"I... I care about you," he said, meaning it for the first time.
Lirien's expression softened, and for a moment, Arin thought he saw a glimmer of hope.
"Meet me again tomorrow night," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We'll figure out what to do together."
And with that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Arin feeling lost and confused.