Captive By The Curse

d torches. Elara walked carefully, her silk train whispering across the polished st

heavy doors, nobles waited. A ceremony waited. A stranger, her future waited. Or so she thought.

pered, though her voice trembled faintly. She stepped back leaving Elara alone with the door

hall was filled to the brim with nobility. Golden candlelight danced on silver goblets and gem-studded robes. Har

ved hands and feathered fans. Faces turned toward her-then quickly away, uncertain. There was n

walking, each step slower than the last, a forced descent into confusion. Her eyes scanned

s in her eyes. The high priest approached the throne, his robe trailing behind him, his head bowed low and he whispered t

ak catching behind him like a dark wave. He wore royal regalia-midnight blue with gold accents, the sigil of Aldovia embroidered

sacred book, reciting ancient vows passed down through generations. Elara stood beside Kaelos, still reeling, her body stiff be

n intricate braid that crowned her head like a halo, a few rebellious strands curling loose against her temple. Her eyes, wide and a deep shade of stormy violet, flickered with uncertainty beneath

part of her, from her feet to her head, his eyes lingering a bit longer at her breast

ng of dry parchment-formal, scripted, and empty. "Do you, Elara, take Kaelos to be your husband, to cherish and obey...

s of the ring against my finger. a symbol of a union, a sentence, a sealed fate. "And do you, Kaelos, take Elara-" "I do." He

nce, every flame in the grand hall was snuffed out, leaving only stunned silence and the echo of the priest

g toward the vaulted ceiling like black silk. "Elara," Kaelos muttered, instinctively stepping

oke, a figure stepped forth, her silhouette elegant and terrifying all at once. "Ashgi." Queen Alaina said quietly. Cloaked in m

lled the air itself. Cries of fear rippled through the court. Guards unsheathed swor

how you repay me? You deprive me of such a beautiful sight." She said, looking around the decorated hall. And then she

ce rang out, firm despite the te

is. Such delusion Aegeus, you refuse to change." She walked slowly, her steps devilish and elegan

hgi raised one hand and every man in armour dropped to his knees,

t." She said swiftly. "A promise." Her hands dropped to her side, freeing the gu

e stepped closer to the dais, uncowed. "Oh, I remember. I remember everything. The halls where I once walked freely. The oaths I swore. The rituals

She turned slowly, addressing the court. "But your peace is a veil. Your kingdom rots from within-and now,

in her skin. Her voice rang out through the dark. "As you have cast me aside, so too shall darkness fall upon this kingdom. The heirs of Aldo

ared her touch. "Your arrogance will cost you, Aegeus. A death will be answered by ruin. The pain you caused will bl

softly, "it won't be by my hand." Queen Alaina stiffened. Kaelos frowned. Elara's skin pr

e grew louder now. Ignoring his remarks. "You will take something that does not belon

e. Until the roots of your kingdom begin to rot from within. Until the blood you spill calls back to you." Kaelos tensed,

ed laugh echoing as traces of her left completely. A gust of cold wind whipped through