ELYRA
The air in the carriage was suffocating, despite the cool breeze wafting in through the windows. My hands rested in my lap, tightly clasped together as my father's words echoed in my mind.
"This is your duty, Elyra," he had said, his voice firm. "You'll bring honor to our family. Obey the prince, and do not fail us."
Obey. A word I had grown used to hearing. Yet the weight of this arrangement felt heavier than anything I'd endured before. I was to be wed to Prince Kael—the infamous cursed prince. A man who felt neither pain nor emotion, known more for his victories on the battlefield than for any semblance of humanity.
As the carriage came to a halt, my breath hitched. The palace loomed ahead, its grandeur both awe-inspiring and intimidating. This was to be my home.
The door opened, and I stepped out, forcing my legs to remain steady. My gaze scanned the courtyard, taking in the lavish surroundings. Then I saw him.
Prince Kael stood at the center of it all, his presence commanding. His dark eyes met mine, cold and unreadable. He was taller than I had imagined, his broad shoulders and stern expression making it clear why he was both feared and respected.
"Elyra," he said, his voice low and even. "Welcome to Daryen's palace."
"Your Highness," I replied, curtsying slightly. My voice betrayed none of the apprehension I felt.
His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned and motioned for me to follow. "Come. The King is waiting."
---
The throne room was as intimidating as the prince himself. The King greeted me with a practiced smile, his words filled with false warmth.
"Lady Elyra, it is an honor to have you join our family," he said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," I replied, bowing my head respectfully.
The King's gaze shifted to Kael. "Escort her to her chambers. She will need rest before the wedding tomorrow."
Kael inclined his head, his expression unreadable. "Of course, Father."
He led me through the grand halls in silence. The palace was beautiful, but it felt cold, devoid of life. Servants bowed as we passed, their eyes avoiding mine. I couldn't tell if it was out of respect or fear.
When we reached my chambers, Kael stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. "This is where you'll stay," he said, his tone detached.
"Thank you, Your Highness," I replied, meeting his gaze.
For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the lavish room.
---
The walls of my chambers felt like they were closing in on me. I paced the room, my mind racing. This wasn't how I had imagined my life. I had always known I would marry for duty, not love, but the reality of it was harsher than I had expected.
Kael was an enigma. Cold and distant, yet there was a strength in him that was undeniable. He was nothing like the men I had grown up around.
As I sat by the window, staring out at the sprawling palace gardens, a sense of dread settled over me. Tomorrow, I would be married to a man I barely knew, in a world that felt more foreign with every passing moment.
---
Later that evening, I ventured out of my chambers, unable to stand the suffocating silence. The halls were quiet, the only sounds coming from the distant clanging of swords in the training yard.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I followed the noise. I stopped at the edge of the yard, watching as Kael sparred with another soldier. His movements were precise and deadly, every strike a testament to his skill.
Even in the dim light, he looked formidable, his expression focused and cold. He disarmed his opponent with ease, his strength and technique unmatched.
I didn't know what drew me to watch him. Perhaps it was the realization that this was the man I was to marry—the man who would shape the rest of my life.
As he finished his bout, one of the guards approached him. They exchanged a few words, and Kael's expression hardened before he walked away, his presence as commanding as ever.
---
Returning to my chambers, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was out of my depth. Kael was a man of power, a force to be reckoned with. I didn't know where I fit into his world, but one thing was certain: I couldn't let myself be consumed by it.
Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a new life. Whether I liked it or not, I would have to adapt. Because in this palace, weakness was not an option.