The morning sun crept through the tall arched windows of the royal chambers, casting a golden glow on the opulent room Sarina now occupied as Elara. She blinked against the brightness, momentarily disoriented by her surroundings. The intricate tapestries, the smooth silk sheets, the faint scent of wild roses — none of it felt like hers, yet she had to make it her own.
She had taken Elara's life, her form, her future. But the kingdom's trust was fragile and her hold on it even more so. She needed to ensure her disguise would hold against the keenest of eyes, and Prince Rian was her biggest obstacle. His suspicions last night had been palpable, lingering in the way his gaze held onto her, scrutinizing every inflection in her voice. She would have to be careful around him, but he might also be her key to reaching the king's trust.
Sarina rose and pulled on the soft, flowing gown that had been laid out by the handmaidens. It was an icy blue, the color Elara was often seen in, with silver embroidery that glinted in the morning light. She took a steadying breath, reminding herself that this kingdom was just as vulnerable to manipulation as any of the others she had brought to ruin.
A gentle knock on her door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she called, slipping into Elara's soft voice, the one she had practiced to perfection.
The door opened, and Rian stepped inside. His presence filled the room, and Sarina felt her pulse quicken with a mixture of annoyance and intrigue. She could see that his suspicion had not yet been laid to rest; his dark eyes held the same intensity as last night, maybe even stronger.
"Elara," he began, his voice soft but probing, "I wanted to speak to you. Alone."
The hint of gravity in his tone made her stomach clench, but Sarina nodded, gesturing to the chairs by the balcony. She composed herself and lowered into one of them, every motion designed to echo the grace she had observed in Elara.
Rian's gaze never left her as he sat opposite, leaning slightly forward, his eyes scrutinizing her face. She had to suppress a shiver under his watchful stare; it was as if he could sense something different in her, something lurking beneath the familiar visage.
"You've been… distant," he said finally, his tone laced with uncertainty.
"Even before last night. Is everything all right?"
Sarina tilted her head slightly, a gentle, questioning smile on her lips as she conjured her best impression of Elara's calm demeanor.
"Distant? I don't understand, Rian. Nothing has changed."
Rian's brow furrowed. He looked away briefly, his jaw clenching as he struggled to articulate something that clearly weighed on him.
"I know you, Elara. Or… I thought I did."
He met her gaze again, and Sarina could see the vulnerability in his eyes, a depth of affection that would be dangerously useful to her. "Lately, it feels as though there's a wall between us, something hidden."
Sarina leaned forward, placing her hand on his. The touch, though simple, seemed to unnerve him, his breath catching for a fraction of a second. She felt the same stirring in her, a sensation that both thrilled and unsettled her. Rian was the closest to the real Elara, bound by loyalty and friendship that, if carefully nurtured, could lead to something more.
"I'm still me, Rian," she murmured, her voice low, a practiced warmth infusing each word. "Perhaps I've been preoccupied, worried… There's so much going on lately, so much change."
Rian's gaze softened, his hand turning to clasp hers, a gesture that felt surprisingly tender, almost comforting. Sarina had expected to manipulate him, to twist his devotion into a tool, but now, as he held her hand, she felt an unfamiliar pang, something beyond power or ambition.
"If there's ever anything you need to share," he said, his voice barely a whisper, "anything troubling you… please tell me. I'm here for you."
She nodded, a subtle smile on her lips, keeping her gaze low to mask the storm raging inside her. Rian would be useful, she reminded herself. This moment of kindness, his unwavering trust, would be her advantage.
But as he released her hand and rose to leave, Sarina caught herself feeling a strange reluctance to let him go. His loyalty was genuine, a contrast to the manipulation and fear she was accustomed to wielding over others. And yet, as he lingered by the door, casting one last glance over his shoulder, Sarina's heart beat with a disquieting rhythm.
When Rian left, she wasted no time. With his suspicions temporarily soothed, she now had other preparations to make.
Elara's daily routine had been something Sarina had studied meticulously. The princess had her morning tea in the garden, her solitary moments among the roses and ivy where she would be least likely to be interrupted. As Sarina moved through the hallways, she passed servants and courtiers, all of whom greeted her with reverent nods and respectful murmurs. Every interaction was a reminder of her precarious position, but she returned each greeting with practiced warmth, a faint smile that reassured them of their beloved princess's presence.
The garden was as splendid as she remembered. The roses bloomed in a riot of colors, their fragrance filling the air, but it was the secluded alcove by the willow tree that held her attention. Elara's favorite spot. Sarina settled into the stone bench, inhaling deeply, trying to focus. She could feel the weight of her disguise pressing down on her, each gesture, each smile, all part of the elaborate game she was playing.
But as her eyes swept over the garden, she caught sight of a figure in the distance, watching her intently. The gaze was as potent as a spell, and when she looked closer, she realized it was the king himself. He rarely ventured out in the mornings, preferring to attend council meetings or prepare for royal duties. For a moment, Sarina felt an unexpected flicker of fear. The king's gaze was sharp, penetrating, and she knew that her disguise would need to be perfect to fool him. She stood, bowing her head in a show of respect, letting a small smile grace her lips, exactly as she had seen Elara do countless times.
The king nodded, a faint smile of approval softening his stern expression. He held her gaze for a moment longer, as if assessing her, before he turned and disappeared into the hallway. Sarina released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
That night, as the castle quieted and darkness fell like a shroud over the kingdom, Sarina found herself drawn to the room's balcony. The moon hung low in the sky, casting silvery shadows over the garden below. She knew what lay ahead, the dangerous game she had yet to complete, but now a small thought gnawed at her resolve.
If she was to succeed, to fully deceive the kingdom, she could not allow any wavering emotions, no softening of heart. And yet, the thought of Rian, his hand in hers, his voice filled with a genuine concern she had rarely encountered, stayed with her.
She clenched her fist, steeling herself. Power was her only desire, the Eclipse Stone her sole goal. There was no place for anything else. She had sacrificed too much, walked too far down this dark path to let anything divert her. She reminded herself of the innocent lives she had taken, the terrible sacrifices she had made — all for this moment.
But as she stood there, gazing out into the night, Sarina couldn't shake the image of Rian's gaze, the way he had looked at her, the trust he had shown. She knew he could be the key to everything she sought, yet she also sensed the danger of growing too close, of becoming too entangled in his loyalty.
Sarina exhaled, watching her breath dissipate into the cold night air, and allowed herself a final moment of vulnerability. Soon, she would bury these feelings, let them dissolve as she had so many other remnants of her old self.
Because she was no longer Sarina, nor Elara. She was the Queen of Black Magic, and the kingdom's throne would be hers.