The next morning dawned bleak, gray clouds hanging over the kingdom as if mirroring the unease that had settled upon the castle. Sarina, still hidden beneath Elara's gentle guise, watched the storm brewing beyond her window. She knew the time had come to take action — to step closer to the Eclipse Stone. The kingdom's fears and distractions provided the perfect cover, yet Rian's presence by her side was a constant reminder of the fragility of her deception.
She couldn't shake the memory of his words from the previous night, his vow to accompany her into any darkness, to protect her even if it meant risking his own life. His loyalty had rooted itself deep, a promise that bound him closer to her than anyone else. But his unwavering devotion to Elara had become an unforeseen complication; he was willing to be her shield, her protector, but she knew that she would ultimately betray that trust to achieve her goal.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door. She straightened, taking a breath before calling, "Come in."
Rian entered, his face cast in the same somber expression he had worn in council meetings of late. His gaze, though warm, held a hint of worry, an intensity that always left her feeling unsettled. The silent weight of his promise hung between them, and she realized that today would be her greatest test yet. She would have to lead him into the unknown — a journey that would bring her closer to the Eclipse Stone, yet also risked drawing him further into her tangled web of deception.
"Elara," he began, his voice steady yet laced with concern. "The king has requested that we visit the border. He wants you to understand the gravity of the threat firsthand." He paused, his expression tightening. "But I won't let you go alone."
Her heart raced, anticipation mixed with the dread that had become her constant companion. This journey would bring her closer to the power she craved, but it also forced her to confront the deception she was weaving around Rian. She managed a gentle smile, a nod that conveyed the dutiful princess's gratitude while hiding the sorceress's thrill.
"I wouldn't want to go without you," she replied softly, meeting his gaze. She let her voice slip into an earnest tone, a calculated move to deepen his sense of duty to her. "Your presence means everything to me, Rian. I feel safer knowing you'll be by my side."
The tension in his posture softened, his expression easing as he looked at her with that familiar, protective warmth. "Then let's prepare. We'll leave within the hour."
They set out on horseback, a small but elite guard accompanying them as they rode toward the kingdom's edge. The landscape gradually grew harsher, the forests thickening, casting shadows that seemed to deepen with every mile. Sarina could feel the pulse of magic in the air, a dark energy that seemed to resonate with her own power, calling to her like a silent whisper. It was exhilarating, yet she kept her expression neutral, knowing Rian would notice any sign of excitement.
Rian rode beside her, silent but watchful. She felt his gaze on her from time to time, as if he were gauging her every reaction, searching for signs of fear or doubt. But Sarina had spent years mastering her expressions, and she wore Elara's calm confidence with ease. As they ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew colder, an eerie stillness settling over their path.
After a few hours, the guards slowed their pace, murmuring amongst themselves as they observed strange marks on the trees. Claw marks, deep and jagged, as if something large and powerful had raked through the bark. Sarina felt a thrill of recognition — the creatures the kingdom feared, the dark beings rumored to be prowling the borders, were undoubtedly summoned by some force similar to her own magic. She could sense the familiarity in the air, an almost intoxicating pull that made her feel both powerful and vulnerable.
"Stay close," Rian instructed, his hand instinctively reaching toward her arm, as though preparing to pull her behind him if danger struck. She felt his grip, firm and protective, and the reality of his loyalty struck her once again, deeper and sharper than before.
They dismounted as the path became more treacherous, the guards fanning out to inspect the surrounding forest. Sarina followed Rian, her senses alert, each step drawing her closer to the source of the dark energy that pulsed through the woods. Shadows flickered at the edge of her vision, shapes that seemed to move in tandem with her, yet when she turned to look, there was nothing there.
One of the guards returned, his face pale as he approached Rian and Sarina. "There's something ahead, my lord… a clearing with strange markings, and… remains."
Rian's expression hardened, and he nodded to Sarina, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Stay behind me," he commanded, his voice low and tense.
She didn't argue, letting him lead the way, though her mind was racing, her senses alert. As they stepped into the clearing, the scene that met them was as eerie as it was familiar. The ground was scarred, dark symbols etched into the earth, marks she recognized as sigils of dark magic. Bones lay scattered, remnants of animals and… something else, a sight that made the guards recoil in horror.
Sarina's gaze drifted over the symbols, her heart pounding with recognition. She knew these markings; they were remnants of a ritual, one similar to those she herself had performed in her pursuit of power. Whoever was responsible for this was steeped in the same dark magic she wielded — and they were closer to the kingdom than she'd realized.
Rian moved to stand beside her, his face set in a grim expression as he studied the clearing. "These markings… they're not natural," he murmured. "It's as if something… summoned these creatures."
She felt a chill at his words, the realization that he was closer to the truth than he knew. But she kept her expression neutral, her voice soft. "Do you think it's… dark magic?"
He hesitated, his gaze flicking to her, and for a moment she saw something akin to suspicion in his eyes. "It's possible," he admitted. "But who would do such a thing? And why?"
Sarina shrugged, feigning ignorance, though the weight of his question pressed heavily on her. Whoever was behind this ritual was a threat not only to the kingdom but to her as well. If they were discovered, their magic could expose her, pulling her carefully constructed disguise into question.
A sudden sound, a low growl, broke through the silence. The guards turned, drawing their weapons, eyes scanning the darkened woods. Sarina's heart raced as she felt the presence of something more, a creature moving within the shadows, watching them with a primal intensity.
Without thinking, she stepped closer to Rian, her hand brushing against his arm. The movement was instinctive, but his gaze softened as he glanced down at her, his hand moving to cover hers briefly, a silent reassurance.
"It's all right," he whispered. "I won't let anything happen to you."
But as his words lingered in the air, the shadows began to shift, and from the darkness, two creatures emerged. They were massive, their forms twisted, eyes glowing with a malevolent light. Their fur bristled, and their claws gleamed under the dim light filtering through the trees.
The guards formed a protective circle around Rian and Sarina, their weapons raised, but the creatures only watched, their snarls low and dangerous, as if daring them to make the first move. Sarina felt the pulse of dark magic within the creatures, the unmistakable energy that connected her to them. It was as if they recognized her, acknowledged her as one of their own, and the realization both thrilled and terrified her.
Rian drew his sword, his stance tense and ready. "Elara, stay back," he warned, his voice sharp, his focus entirely on the creatures before him.
Sarina's mind raced, torn between maintaining her facade and the need to control the situation. She knew she had power over these creatures, but revealing that power would risk exposing herself. She would have to rely on subtlety, careful manipulation, and hope that Rian wouldn't sense the truth beneath her actions.
She took a small step back, clutching her hands together, but in her mind, she called out to the creatures, a silent command woven with the dark magic that connected them. Leave. She poured her will into the thought, pushing the creatures away, urging them to retreat before the guards or Rian could engage.
The creatures hesitated, their snarls softening, as if responding to an unseen force. They glanced toward her, their glowing eyes flickering with an almost human understanding before they melted back into the shadows, disappearing as silently as they had come.
The guards let out sighs of relief, their stances relaxing, but Rian remained tense, his gaze shifting from the woods to her, his eyes narrowing. "That was… strange," he murmured, suspicion edging into his voice. "It's as if they were going to attack… but something stopped them."
Sarina met his gaze, forcing a soft, bewildered smile. "Perhaps they were just as frightened as we were."
Rian studied her, his expression unreadable, and she felt the weight of his scrutiny, the sense that he was seeing something beyond the surface. "Perhaps," he replied, his voice quiet, though the doubt in his eyes lingered.
As they made their way back to the castle, Sarina couldn't shake the feeling that her control was slipping.