The air felt heavy, the kind of oppressive stillness that settled before a storm. Ariana stood frozen in the dimly lit library, her trembling fingers clutching the worn envelope. The name on the paper burned into her mind like a searing brand.
"Lucian Blackwood."
Her breath caught. She felt her chest tighten as she re-read the words on the document inside, hoping—praying—that she'd misunderstood. But no. The truth was there, cold and sharp like a dagger poised to strike her heart.
Lucian Blackwood. Her brother.
"Why are you poking around where you shouldn't be?" Kaelen's voice startled her, sharp and accusing. He stood in the doorway, his piercing green eyes narrowing as they flicked between her face and the envelope in her hand. "What the hell is that?"
Ariana quickly shoved the paper behind her back. "It's nothing," she lied, her voice unsteady.
Kaelen's jaw clenched. He stepped closer, his boots muffled by the plush carpet. His presence was overwhelming, a mix of frustration, suspicion, and something else—something darker.
"Don't lie to me," he snapped, his tone carrying the weight of restrained anger. "What did you find?"
"It's none of your business," she fired back, though her voice lacked conviction. She tried to sidestep him, but his hand shot out, gripping her arm.
"Stop." His voice softened, but his grip stayed firm. "Ariana, if there's something you've uncovered, I need to know. You don't understand how dangerous this is."
Her eyes locked with his, the intensity in them making her feel exposed. Vulnerable. She wanted to tell him—part of her wanted to spill everything—but the words refused to come out. How could she explain what she'd just learned? That the man Kaelen hated most in the world was her blood? That she didn't even know until now?
"I... I can't," she whispered, shaking her head.
Kaelen released her arm with a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his tousled hair. "You're hiding something from me, aren't you? You've been acting strange for days."
She turned away, clutching the envelope tighter. "You're imagining things."
"For God's sake, Ariana!" His voice rose, startling her. "I've risked everything to keep you safe, and this is how you repay me? By sneaking around, keeping secrets?"
Her head snapped up, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "You think I owe you everything just because you decided to 'protect' me? I never asked for this, Kaelen. I never asked for any of it."
His eyes flared with hurt, but his lips pressed into a thin line. "You're right," he said quietly, his voice suddenly cold. "You didn't ask for it. But you're in it now, whether you like it or not. And if you're going to keep playing these games, you'll only make things worse—for both of us."
She opened her mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. The truth was, he was right. She was in this now—this tangled web of lies and danger—and there was no way out.
Later that night, Ariana locked herself in her room, the envelope spread out on the bed in front of her. Her mind raced as she examined the contents again: a birth certificate, a photograph of a woman she vaguely recognised as her mother, and a letter addressed to her. The letter was old, the ink smudged in places, but the words were clear.
"My dearest Ariana,
If you are reading this, it means the truth has found its way to you. Lucian is your brother, though not by blood alone. Your father made mistakes, and those mistakes have shaped the danger you now face. Be careful, my love. The Blackwood name carries more weight than you know."
Her hands trembled as she read the lines over and over. How could her mother have kept this from her? How could she have hidden something so monumental? And Lucian—how did he fit into all of this? Was he aware of their connection? Did he know she existed?
A knock at her door startled her.
"Ariana?" It was Kaelen.
She quickly folded the letter and stuffed it back into the envelope before shoving it under her pillow. "What do you want?" she called, trying to keep her voice steady.
The door creaked open, and Kaelen stepped inside, his expression unreadable. "We need to talk."
"I'm not in the mood for another argument."
"Neither am I," he said, closing the door behind him. He leaned against it, crossing his arms. "But we can't keep avoiding this. Something's going on with you, and I need to know what it is."
She hesitated, her gaze darting to the pillow where the envelope was hidden. Kaelen was perceptive—too perceptive. If she wasn't careful, he'd figure out everything.
"It's nothing," she said finally, avoiding his eyes. "I'm just... tired."
He didn't buy it. "Ariana, whatever it is, it's clearly tearing you apart. And if it's about Lucian—"
Her head snapped up, her eyes wide. "What?"
Kaelen's jaw tightened, his expression hardening. "You've been digging into him, haven't you? I told you to stay away from anything connected to him."
"I wasn't—"
"Don't lie to me!" His voice thundered, and she flinched. He immediately softened, his shoulders sagging as he ran a hand down his face. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "I just... I can't lose you to him, Ariana. Do you understand? He'll destroy you. He destroys everything he touches."
She swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. "Why do you hate him so much?"
Kaelen's eyes darkened, a storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface. "Because he's a monster," he said quietly. "And monsters don't deserve redemption."
The next morning, Ariana sat alone in the garden, her thoughts a chaotic mess. Part of her wanted to run—to leave this entire mess behind and start over somewhere far away. But she couldn't. Not now. Not when she was finally starting to piece together the truth about her past.
"Thought I'd find you here," Kaelen's voice cut through her thoughts.
She glanced up, shielding her eyes from the sun. He stood a few feet away, his hands shoved into his pockets. He looked tired, like he hadn't slept all night.
"Are you here to interrogate me again?" she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
He sighed and sat down beside her, leaving a careful distance between them. "No. I'm here to apologise."
She blinked, caught off guard. "For what?"
"For coming on too strong last night," he said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I just... I get protective, you know? It's not an excuse, but... I care about you, Ariana. More than I probably should."
Her breath hitched at his words. She wanted to respond, to tell him she felt the same, but the weight of her secret held her back. How could she let herself feel anything for him when she was tied to Lucian in ways she didn't fully understand?
"Kaelen..." she began, but he cut her off.
"You don't have to say anything," he said quickly. "I just needed you to know."
They sat in silence for a while, the tension between them thick but not entirely unpleasant. Finally, Kaelen stood and offered her a hand.
"Come on," he said. "Let's go inside. It's getting cold."
She hesitated before taking his hand. His grip was warm, grounding her in a way she hadn't realised she needed.
That evening, as Kaelen prepared to leave for a meeting, a knock sounded at the front door. Ariana watched from the staircase as one of the staff answered it, accepting a letter from a courier. The envelope was black, the seal marked with an intricate "L."
Kaelen's expression hardened as soon as he saw it. He grabbed the letter and ripped it open, his eyes scanning the contents. His face paled, and his hand clenched into a fist.
"What is it?" Ariana asked, descending the stairs.
Kaelen didn't answer at first. He seemed frozen, his mind racing. Finally, he turned to her, his eyes blazing with intensity.
"It's from Lucian," he said, his voice low. "He knows about you."
Her heart stopped. "What?"
Kaelen handed her the letter. The words were scrawled in elegant handwriting, but their message was anything but elegant.
"Dearest Kaelen,
You've been busy, haven't you? Protecting my little sister, no less. How noble of you.
But don't get too comfortable. Ariana is the key to your downfall, and I will use her however I see fit.
See you soon.
—Lucian."
Ariana's hands shook as she read the letter, her mind reeling. "He knows," she whispered. "He knows everything."