Chapter Two: The Tyrant's Palace
The King's Palace loomed above the city, its towering spires piercing the night sky like jagged shards of glass. Its grandeur was overwhelming—white stone walls glimmered with magic, and the faint glow of enchantments rippled along the edges of the structure. Aeliana couldn't help but stare as the soldiers dragged her toward the massive iron gates, her mind reeling with the absurdity of her situation.
She had heard rumors of the palace, of its cold beauty and the horrors that lurked within. The tales seemed almost tame compared to the reality before her. It was a fortress, a labyrinth built to trap those who dared enter.
The gates creaked open, revealing a courtyard filled with fae guards, their perfect faces unreadable as they watched her being dragged inside. Their eyes flickered with curiosity and disdain, but none dared to question the king's orders.
The soldiers hauled her through ornate corridors lined with shimmering tapestries and glowing crystals embedded in the walls. The air grew colder the deeper they went, the faint hum of magic vibrating beneath her skin. Aeliana's wrists still burned from the invisible bonds Kaelion had placed on her, but she refused to let herself show weakness.
Finally, they stopped in front of a massive set of double doors, carved with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and writhe like living things. The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances before pushing the doors open, revealing a cavernous chamber lit by an eerie, golden light.
At the far end of the room, seated on a throne of black obsidian, was Kaelion.
He looked no less imposing than he had in the alley, his silver hair catching the light as he leaned back in his throne, one hand resting lazily on the armrest. His mismatched eyes locked onto her the moment she was dragged inside, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Leave us," he commanded, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
The soldiers hesitated for a fraction of a second before bowing and retreating, the doors slamming shut behind them. Aeliana was left alone in the massive chamber with the most feared man in the kingdom.
She forced herself to stand tall, meeting his gaze with as much defiance as she could muster. "What now, your majesty? Do I get to hear my sentence before you throw me in your dungeon?"
Kaelion chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "You have spirit," he said, rising from his throne with a grace that made her stomach twist. "But you'll learn soon enough that defiance only gets you so far."
He descended the steps slowly, each movement deliberate, until he was standing just a few feet away from her. "You're not like the others," he murmured, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. "There's something… unusual about you."
"I told you, I'm no one," Aeliana snapped, her voice trembling despite her best efforts.
Kaelion tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "No one? Then why does your presence hum with power? Power you clearly have no idea how to control."
Aeliana's breath hitched. She had felt it—the strange sensation stirring beneath her skin—but she didn't understand it. And she certainly didn't trust him to explain it.
"Let me make one thing clear," Kaelion said, his tone hardening. "You belong to me now. You'll serve me in whatever way I see fit."
Her jaw clenched. "And if I refuse?"
His smile faded, replaced by a cold, unrelenting stare. "You won't. Because if you do, I'll make sure you regret it."
Aeliana swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know what he wanted from her, but she knew one thing: this was no ordinary imprisonment. He was toying with her, testing her limits. And whatever game he was playing, she had no choice but to play along—for now.
Kaelion stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "You'll begin your service tonight," he said, his voice a low growl. "But first, you'll learn what it means to kneel before your king."
Her eyes widened as his words sank in, and she felt a surge of anger rise in her chest. "You can force me to stand here, to stay in your palace, but I will never kneel to you."
Kaelion's lips curved into a wicked smile, his amusement barely masking the sharp edge of his power. "We'll see about that."
He raised his hand, and the air around her crackled with energy. Aeliana braced herself, determined not to show fear, even as she felt the weight of his magic pressing down on her.
She didn't know how long she could endure this, but one thing was certain: she wouldn't break without a fight.
Kaelion's magic coiled around her, thick and oppressive like a serpent tightening its hold. The weight bore down on Aeliana's shoulders, forcing her knees to tremble. Her pride screamed at her to resist, but her body betrayed her, muscles quivering under the sheer force of his power.
"You're stronger than most," Kaelion murmured, stepping closer. His voice was calm, almost conversational, but his eyes burned with a dangerous intensity. "But even strength has its limits. Let me show you yours."
The energy surged, dragging her down another inch. Aeliana clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. She gritted her teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her bow.
"I said," Kaelion continued, his tone hardening, "kneel."
The magic twisted, and her legs buckled. She hit the floor on one knee, her breath ragged as she fought against the invisible chains. Kaelion's boots came into view, polished black leather that reflected her own strained expression.
"Good," he said softly, his voice laced with satisfaction. "But not quite enough."
Aeliana looked up, her gaze defiant despite the trembling in her limbs. "You can force my body," she said, her voice low but steady. "But you'll never have my loyalty."
Kaelion raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Loyalty?" He crouched down so they were at eye level, his mismatched eyes boring into hers. "Loyalty is earned. I'm not interested in that." His fingers brushed her chin, tilting her face upward. "What I want is your submission."
Aeliana flinched at the touch, the heat of his skin searing against hers. "You'll be waiting forever."
Kaelion laughed, a sound that echoed through the chamber like dark thunder. "You have spirit, little one. I wonder how long it will last."
Before she could respond, he stood, his towering frame casting her in his shadow. With a flick of his hand, the oppressive magic vanished, leaving her gasping for breath. Her body felt like lead, but she forced herself to rise, locking her knees to keep from collapsing.
Kaelion watched her, his expression unreadable. "You'll find your quarters prepared," he said, his voice cool and detached once more. "You'll be summoned when I have use for you."
"What if I refuse?" she asked, her voice sharp despite her exhaustion.
Kaelion's lips curved into a cold smile. "Then I'll find other ways to make you useful."
The veiled threat sent a chill down her spine, but she refused to show weakness. She met his gaze head-on, her chin raised in defiance.
"Escort her," Kaelion commanded. The doors to the chamber swung open, and two soldiers stepped inside, their expressions as blank as ever. They flanked her, waiting for her to move.
As she turned to leave, Kaelion's voice stopped her. "Aeliana."
She froze, her name on his lips sending an unfamiliar shiver down her spine.
"You'll learn," he said softly, "that defiance is an indulgence you can't afford in my kingdom."
She didn't respond, her heart hammering in her chest as the soldiers led her away.
The corridors blurred together as they guided her through the labyrinthine palace. The soldiers were silent, their faces stoic, but Aeliana could feel their unease. It wasn't her they feared—it was him. The King. The Demon. The Tyrant.
Finally, they stopped before a heavy wooden door, its surface carved with runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. One soldier pushed it open, revealing a surprisingly lavish chamber. The bed was draped in silken sheets, and the walls shimmered with enchanted tapestries that shifted and changed like living paintings.
"This is where you'll stay," one of the soldiers said, his voice curt. "You're not to leave without permission."
Aeliana didn't reply, stepping into the room as the door swung shut behind her. She exhaled slowly, the weight of the evening crashing down on her all at once. She sank onto the edge of the bed, her mind racing.
She couldn't stay here. She couldn't let herself become a pawn in Kaelion's game. But the memory of his power—the way it had wrapped around her, unyielding and absolute—made her stomach churn. How could she fight against someone like that?
Her hand brushed against the fabric of her hood, and she frowned. Beneath the surface of her fear, a flicker of determination burned. She wasn't just human, no matter how much she'd tried to deny it. There was something inside her, something Kaelion had sensed, and it was her only chance of survival.
She would find a way to awaken that power. And when she did, she would make the Demon King regret ever crossing her path.