AMORA'S POV;
Everyone found their seats around the grand dining table, but as I settled in, I could feel a gaze burning into me. Not just any gaze—his gaze. Zale, the man who held more than just authority over this place, was staring at me with a look so intense it felt like it could peel away every last layer of my carefully maintained composure.
My cheeks burned as I picked at my food, hoping that by keeping my head down, I might somehow escape the weight of his scrutiny. I risked a glance at him, and in that single heartbeat, our eyes locked. Was he judging me? Admiring? I couldn't decipher it. All I knew was that every time our eyes met, my mind turned into a tangled mess of questions. I knew Zale could be difficult to read, but tonight, his intensity was something else altogether.
The unease gnawed at me, so much so that I began second-guessing every detail. Was my dress too much? Too little? Did I look out of place? I had chosen something simple, something I thought would go unnoticed, yet I felt his gaze more than any other. I shifted in my seat, trying to hide the blush that refused to leave my cheeks, but he was relentless, his attention never wavering.
When the meal finally came to a close, I felt the release like a breath I had been holding for too long. I wasn't the only one surprised by the night's restraint. Zora, who usually delighted in poking fun or throwing subtle barbs my way, had been quiet too, almost… supportive. Perhaps she sensed my discomfort, or maybe she was just in a rare, charitable mood. Either way, her silence felt like an unexpected gift.
As the last dishes were cleared, I thought I was finally free from the scrutiny. But then, Zale's voice cut through the quiet hum of conversation. "Wilder," he called, summoning him. Wilder quickly stepped to his side, bowing in deference.
"Zora wants to go out to pick up a few things," Zale began, his gaze shifting between Wilder and me. "And Amora will be going with her."
My heart practically stopped mid-beat. Did I just hear that right? I looked up, barely able to mask my shock. This was more than a simple outing; this was a chance for me to step beyond these walls, even if only for a short while. Excitement sparked within me, almost too much to contain. I fought the urge to smile too widely, afraid of giving away just how monumental this felt.
Wilder caught my expression and shot me a reassuring smile, almost like he knew what this meant to me. Zale continued, his tone shifting as he issued instructions. "Take a few guards with you," he said, his words edged with authority as he glanced at Wilder. It wasn't a suggestion; it was an order. "Do you understand me?"
Wilder nodded, the respect in his eyes unmistakable. Meanwhile, Zora sat across from me, her eyes gleaming with excitement. I suddenly remembered her telling me she'd try to make this happen, her confidence unfailing. But how on earth did she manage it? How did she persuade Zale?
"Amora?" Zale's voice yanked me out of my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. My gaze snapped to him, finding his eyes fixed on me once again. Was he about to change his mind? A rush of panic surged through me, the thought of this small taste of freedom slipping away before I could even grasp it. Please, please don't take it back.
"Come with me, Amora," he commanded, rising from his seat. He moved toward the door, not even waiting for my response. I hurried after him, pulse racing as I tried to keep up, my heart hammering with every step. We walked in silence, winding through the long hallways until we reached a quiet corner. He stopped abruptly, turning to face me with an intensity that stole my breath away.
"Listen to me very carefully, Amora." His voice was low, serious, each word laced with a gravity that made the air feel thick. I swallowed hard, realizing that this conversation was more than just a permission slip—it was a warning. "I'm allowing you out because Zora left me little choice. If I had refused, she would have found a way to go on her own, without my consent. That would be far more dangerous."
His gaze bore into mine, each word sinking deeper into my mind. "Stay with Zora and Wilder at all times. Do not lose sight of them. Do you understand?"
I nodded, but he wasn't finished. His voice dropped even lower, the warning in his tone unmistakable. "And one more thing… don't even think about running. I won't remind you of the consequences."
The memory flashed before me, unbidden—a reminder of my last escape attempt, a moment of defiance that had nearly cost me everything. The scars, both visible and hidden, burned as if to remind me of the pain I had endured. I knew better than to test him, not after last time. My voice was barely more than a whisper, thick with the weight of his command. "Yes, I understand."
His gaze softened, if only for a second, and he took a step back. Just then, Zora's voice echoed down the hallway, a cheerful contrast to the tension thickening the air. "Amora! We're going to be late! Hurry up!"
Zale's expression shifted, his face returning to its usual unreadable mask, though there was something in his eyes that I couldn't quite place. He nodded once, a small gesture, but enough to acknowledge my obedience. "Take care," he said softly, a simple phrase that held an unexpected warmth. I wanted to respond, but the words caught in my throat. All I could manage was a small nod before turning to join Zora.
The moment I reached her side, a thrill surged through me, a dizzying excitement that felt foreign and wild. The world was waiting just beyond those doors, a world I hadn't seen in what felt like an eternity. For the first time in so long, I would step beyond these walls, taste the freedom I'd only dreamed of.