The morning light barely pierced through the heavy curtains of Elara's chamber, but she had already been awake for hours, lost in thought. The grandeur of her new life was slowly fading into something darker and more complex. Ravak, her new husband, was a creature of legend—a beast of great power, both feared and revered. But was there more to him than the rumors told? She couldn't ignore the flicker of humanity she'd seen in his eyes, despite the cold exterior.
She knew she had to face him today. It was the second day of their marriage, and the castle had been eerily quiet since their last conversation. The silence only made her anxiety grow. Was he truly as monstrous as they said, or was there a deeper mystery hidden behind the walls of this cursed castle?
Elara stood up, pulling her heavy cloak around her shoulders as she made her way down the darkened corridors. Each step echoed ominously, reminding her of the isolation she felt. She couldn't help but wonder if she was walking into a trap. But one thing was certain—she wasn't going to stand by and wait for her fate to be sealed. Not without answers.
As she reached the large hall where they had first met, the doors creaked open on their own, revealing Ravak standing near the grand fireplace. The flames flickered, casting shadows across his face. He was staring into the fire, his back to her, as if waiting for her to speak first.
"Lord Ravak," she began, her voice steady despite the pounding in her chest. "We need to talk."
He turned slowly, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "About what, my dear wife?" His voice was calm, yet there was an edge to it, as if daring her to challenge him.
"I can't keep pretending everything is fine," Elara said, trying to keep her composure. "You and I both know this marriage isn't just for show. You have your reasons for forcing it, and I have my own motives. But I don't understand you—your actions, your anger. What is it that you truly want from me?"
Ravak took a step forward, his presence overwhelming. "You think you're the only one who's been forced into this, Elara?" His words were sharp, his eyes hard. "This marriage is as much a prison for me as it is for you."
Elara's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean? You were the one who demanded this alliance. You could have refused, could have fought for your freedom."
He chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "Freedom? My life was never about freedom. I am bound by blood, by a curse that has haunted my family for generations."
Her confusion deepened. "A curse?"
Ravak's gaze darkened, and for the first time, Elara saw a flicker of pain behind his cold eyes. "Yes. A curse that turned me into what I am. A beast, a monster… a creature born to rule through fear."
Elara's heart raced. "But you don't seem like a monster. Not completely."
He stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. "You don't know me," he growled. "You don't know what I've done, what I'm capable of."
She could feel his pulse quicken beneath his skin, and despite herself, she found herself drawn to him. But she resisted, pulling away with more force than she intended. "Then tell me. If you really want to be free, why not end this curse? Why keep living in this cage?"
Ravak's face twisted with a mixture of rage and sorrow. "I tried," he spat, his voice raw. "But there's no escape. I can never be free of it. The curse will never let me go, not until I fulfill what's been demanded of me."
"Fulfill what?" Elara asked, now more curious than ever. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but something didn't add up.
Ravak released her wrist and turned away again, his shoulders slumping. "The prophecy."
"The prophecy?" she repeated, her mind racing. "What prophecy?"
He didn't answer immediately, staring into the flames as if they held the key to his soul. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely a whisper. "It says that the one who marries the Beast will break the curse, but only if she can tame him. Only if she can learn to love the monster inside."
Elara's stomach tightened. "So that's why you married me?" Her voice was barely audible, as the weight of his words sank in. "You think I can love you… after everything you've done?"
Ravak's shoulders tensed, and he turned back to her with a fierce intensity. "I don't expect love from you, Elara. Not yet. But you will understand soon enough. The curse is not just mine to bear. It is ours, now. We are tied together by fate, and only together can we break it."
Elara took a step back, overwhelmed by the revelation. "I—" she began, but before she could say anything more, a loud bang echoed through the hall. The ground shook beneath their feet, and the windows rattled violently.
Ravak's expression shifted to one of shock, his eyes narrowing. "No… it's too soon," he muttered under his breath. "They've found us."
"Who?" Elara demanded, panic rising in her chest.
Before he could answer, the massive doors to the hall burst open with a force that sent them flying off their hinges. A group of armed soldiers, their faces masked, stormed in, weapons drawn.
"Run!" Ravak commanded, his voice urgent. "They're here to take you."
Elara's heart raced as she turned to flee, but as she did, Ravak's hand shot out, grabbing her arm. "You don't understand. They're not here for me—they're here for you."
The world seemed to stop as her mind struggled to make sense of his words. But before she could process it, a cold, sharp voice echoed from the doorway.
"Elara… it's time to fulfill your destiny."
Elara is left stunned as she realizes the danger is far greater than she ever imagined, and the true scope of her role in the prophecy is about to unfold. Who are these soldiers, and what do they want with her.