Captive By The Curse

bling between his fingers. The palace buzzed with its usual morning activity-ser

, scattering a tray of bread across the polished floors. Before scurrying off, she'd slipped

lk. - Athena A hollow ache settled in his chest. His mind pulled back to their last exchange-a day before now, but the w

d nothing in return-because there had been nothing to say. And now she was here.

the end of the corridor, her arms crossed, her expression firm. "I'm thinking," Kaelos said tight

"There is never a 'now' with you, Kaelos. No matter how many times we speak, how many I try to get through to

his husband you so much desire. I didn't ask for a wife. A marriage that means nothing

ou think I did?" She fired back at him. Their words snapped like cold branches. "Every time you walk through this palace like the world

stepping out for a moment." He muttered. Trying to escape the moment and the suffocating weight of it all. "No," Elar

t's the second day of our marriage," Elara said sharply. "And you haven't once slept in our be

dropped to the paper in his hand. Elara's eyes narrowed as she spotted it. But Kaelos didn't answ

nded. Her heart sank. When she looked up, her voice was quiet b

g. I am your wife, Kaelos. And this is my business now. Whether you like it or not." K

elos gave a dry laugh, fazed by her sudden strength. "And wha

you disgrace us both. At least then I'll know the truth." He stared at her as if

something, Elara, what's the worst that could happen if I do not heed your wor

id walking away. "You know Ashgi said love would be our ruin. And you are probing her right Kaelos.

th. "You would save yourself my wrath by not mentioning the name of that witch in this p

m. Without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and walked awa

_

he marble, and the air carried the faintest scent of jasmine. Athena st

eze. She didn't move as Kaelos approached. He walked slowly and his boo

" Kaelos said faintly. "No," she said, turning fully to face him now. Her gown caught the wind, midnight blue,

is jaw tight. "You kn

rting to feel like I'm just the shadow you visit

front of me and promised you'd find a way. That you'd speak to your father, that you'd-" She b

He took a step toward her. Their eyes met, and for a second, everything fe

the way I used to sneak into your chambers. About how you'd say my name like it was a secret

pered. His lips were already descending toward hers before the thought had finishe

ed her back gently against one of the marble columns, their shadows dancing on the stone. Her fingers moved

s. And then a loud caw cut through the night. A black raven swooped down, its wings slici

d as if watching. Kaelos jerked back, his breath gone. For a moment, the garden around him seemed

s were focused. "It's just a bird." She whispered breathlessly, reaching for him again. But Kaelos had alre

ide him. Something heavy and cold. "I have to go." He said. His voice

cawed once more, loud and ragged, before taking off into the dark, vanishing into the tre

__

ng down her back. She brushed a thin layer of oil down her neck. Her nightgow

ame," she said, catching his eyes in the mirror. "You didn't give m

aelos took a deep breath. "I am sorry, for the way I startle

forgiven." Kaelos nodded slowly. "You didn't lie with h

a fool." Kaelos looked down. "I

but it wasn't empty. "I don't care if you hate me Kaelos, I don't care if you love someone else," Ela

." Kaelos undressed in silence. When he lay beside her, they didn't speak. They didn't touch. They stared at the