ELYRA
I woke to silence. The first rays of dawn spilled through the heavy curtains, painting the chamber in muted gold. My fingers instinctively reached to the other side of the bed, but it was empty, cold. Kael was gone.
My chest tightened as I sat up, clutching the sheets to my body. Memories of the night before swirled in my mind—the tenderness hidden beneath his stoic demeanor, the way his hands had been careful even as his voice remained distant. He'd claimed me, but not as a husband might claim a wife. No, Kael had marked me as his possession, a shield against the cruelty of his family and a statement to his brother.
But even in that act, there had been something… human. Something that contradicted the stories I'd heard about the cursed prince.
I shook the thoughts away and climbed out of bed, my feet touching the cold marble floor. My maid, Nyssa, entered without a word, carrying a tray of food. Her sharp eyes scanned my face, and she frowned.
"He left, didn't he?" she asked softly.
I nodded, my throat tight.
Nyssa set the tray down on a nearby table and approached me. "He's not like other men," she said. "I saw it in his eyes yesterday. He's hardened, yes, but there's something more. Something broken."
Her words made the ache in my chest grow. "He didn't even say goodbye properly," I whispered, my voice cracking. "He just... left. How am I supposed to feel about that?"
Nyssa sighed and took my hand, leading me to the table. "You'll eat first, my lady. Then we'll talk about feelings."
I let her guide me, grateful for her no-nonsense attitude. She had been with me since I was a child, more a sister than a servant. As I picked at the food, Nyssa spoke again.
"They say the cursed prince feels nothing. No pain, no joy, no love."
"They're wrong," I interrupted. "He may hide it well, but there's something there. I saw it last night."
Nyssa raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
---
After breakfast, I dressed in a simple gown, my mind swirling with questions about Kael. Where had he gone? What dangers awaited him? And why couldn't I stop thinking about him?
The palace was eerily quiet as I wandered its halls. Servants bowed as I passed, their eyes averted. It was clear that my position as Kael's wife afforded me a measure of respect, but it was hollow. I was alone in this vast, cold place, a stranger among strangers.
I found myself in the gardens, drawn by the vibrant colors and the promise of solitude. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of blooming flowers. For a moment, I let myself breathe, closing my eyes and tilting my face toward the sun.
"You seem troubled, Lady Elyra."
The voice startled me, and I turned to see Alric standing a few paces away. His presence was unsettling, his gaze too sharp, too assessing.
"Your Highness," I said, forcing a polite smile.
He approached, his movements smooth and deliberate. "You needn't be so formal. After all, we're family now."
Something in his tone made my skin crawl. "What can I do for you, Prince Alric?"
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I merely wished to see how you were settling in. It must be difficult, adjusting to life here."
"It is," I admitted cautiously.
His eyes lingered on me, and I resisted the urge to step back. "You are a vision, Elyra," he said softly. "Far too beautiful to be wasted on my brother."
The blood in my veins turned to ice. "He is my husband," I said firmly.
Alric chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "A husband who has already abandoned you. Tell me, how does it feel to be claimed and discarded so quickly?"
I clenched my fists, anger rising in my chest. "Kael may be many things, but he is not a coward. He left to fulfill his duty, something you clearly know little about."
Alric's smile faltered, and for a moment, I saw a flash of irritation in his eyes. "You have spirit," he said, his voice sharp. "I wonder how long that will last in this place."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, leaving me trembling with anger and unease.
---
I returned to my chambers, my thoughts in turmoil. Nyssa was waiting for me, her expression concerned.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Alric," I said, sitting heavily on the edge of the bed. "He… he made it clear that he doesn't respect Kael or our marriage."
Nyssa's eyes narrowed. "That man is dangerous, my lady. You must be careful around him."
I nodded, the weight of her words settling on me.
As the day wore on, I found myself thinking more about Kael. Despite his cold demeanor, he had been clear about one thing: I was his, and Alric would not touch me. The memory of his words brought a strange sense of comfort, though it was fleeting.
---
Night fell, and I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The room felt impossibly large without Kael's presence. My thoughts drifted to the stories I'd heard about him—the cursed prince, the man without emotion. But what I had seen was more complicated.
Beneath the cold exterior was a man bound by duty, by expectations he hadn't chosen. And yet, he had shown me a kindness, however small.
I sighed, turning onto my side. "Where are you, Kael?" I whispered into the darkness.
I didn't expect an answer, but the question lingered, filling the silence with its weight.
For now, all I could do was wait. Wait for a man who had already left, a man who might never return.