Chapter Three: Whispers of Power
Aeliana sat in the dimly lit chamber, the weight of her situation pressing down on her. The room was suffocating despite its opulence, every inch of it a reminder that she was a prisoner, no matter how fine the accommodations. The silence was broken only by the faint crackle of magic woven into the walls, a constant hum that made her skin prickle.
She ran her fingers over the silken sheets, her thoughts a chaotic swirl. Power. That was what Kaelion had said. He'd seen something in her, something she barely understood. She had always felt… different. Stronger than she should be, quicker to heal than the other humans she'd grown up around. But it had never been enough to matter—until now.
Her fingers curled into fists. She couldn't let herself be crushed under Kaelion's heel. She had to survive, had to find a way to escape. And if there was power within her, she would claim it. No matter the cost.
A sudden knock startled her from her thoughts. Before she could answer, the door swung open, and a young fae woman stepped inside. Her beauty was as unearthly as the others—a cascade of shimmering auburn hair, eyes like liquid gold—but there was a nervous energy about her, a tremor in her hands as she clutched a tray of food.
"My lady," the girl said softly, bowing her head. "The king ordered that you be fed."
"I'm not hungry," Aeliana snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. She hated the sound of herself—bitter, defensive—but the sight of the girl only reminded her of the cage she was trapped in.
The girl hesitated, her gaze flicking to the tray. "You should eat," she murmured. "You'll need your strength."
"For what?" Aeliana demanded. "To endure more of his games?"
The girl flinched, and guilt stabbed at Aeliana's chest. She softened her tone. "What's your name?"
The girl hesitated, then answered, "Carys."
Aeliana studied her, noting the way her hands trembled and her eyes darted toward the door, as if expecting someone to barge in. "You're afraid of him," Aeliana said quietly.
Carys swallowed, her golden eyes glistening with fear. "Everyone is afraid of him."
"Then why serve him?"
The girl's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression unreadable. "We all serve the king," she said finally. "It's not a choice."
Before Aeliana could respond, Carys set the tray on a small table and turned to leave. But just as she reached the door, she paused. "Be careful," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "He sees more than you realize."
And then she was gone, leaving Aeliana alone with her thoughts.
Hours passed, though it was hard to tell in the enchanted chamber where time seemed to stretch endlessly. Aeliana paced the room, her mind racing. Carys's words lingered in her ears. He sees more than you realize. What had Kaelion seen in her? What power had he sensed?
She stopped by the window, her gaze drawn to the glowing city below. The beauty of Lythrenis was undeniable, but it was a cold, unforgiving beauty, like Kaelion himself. The streets glittered with light, but the people moved like ghosts, their faces masked with fear.
Her reflection in the glass caught her eye, and for the first time, she truly studied herself. She looked human—ordinary, even—but there was something in her eyes, a faint glimmer that hadn't been there before. A spark of… something.
Her fingers brushed the glass, and the faint hum of power stirred beneath her skin again. It was stronger this time, more insistent, like a pulse beating just out of sync with her own. She closed her eyes, focusing on the sensation, trying to draw it out.
The air around her shifted, and a sudden warmth spread through her chest. Her eyes flew open as a faint glow appeared on her fingertips, threads of light dancing like fireflies.
Her breath caught. "What…?"
Before she could make sense of what was happening, the door burst open, and Kaelion strode inside. His presence filled the room instantly, his mismatched eyes locking onto her.
"You're playing with fire," he said, his voice low and sharp.
Aeliana took a step back, her hands instinctively clenching as the glow faded. "What do you want?"
Kaelion didn't answer immediately. He crossed the room in a few long strides, stopping just short of her. His gaze flicked to her hands, and a faint smirk tugged at his lips. "You've already begun to awaken," he murmured. "Fascinating."
"Awaken?" she demanded. "What are you talking about?"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You have power, little thief. Power that could rival even mine if you learn to control it. But it's raw, untamed. Dangerous."
Aeliana's heart raced. "And you're going to help me, I suppose?"
Kaelion chuckled darkly. "Help you? No, Aeliana. I'll control you. You belong to me now, and I will make you into a weapon sharp enough to cut down anyone who dares defy me."
Her defiance flared, her eyes narrowing. "I'm not your weapon."
His smirk deepened. "You will be." He reached out, his hand brushing her cheek in a gesture that was both possessive and strangely gentle. "Or I'll break you trying."
Her breath hitched, her pulse thundering in her ears. She hated the way his touch sent shivers through her, the way his presence seemed to dominate every part of her. But she refused to let him win.
"I'll never be yours," she said, her voice steady despite the fire in her veins.
Kaelion's gaze darkened, his smirk fading into something more primal, more dangerous. "We'll see," he said softly. Then he turned, his cloak sweeping behind him as he left her alone once more.
As the door closed, Aeliana sank onto the bed, her heart still racing. She didn't know how, but one thing was clear: if she wanted to survive Kaelion's games, she would have to master the power within her—and do it before he bent her to his will.