Captive By The Curse

e guards at the entrance to her chambers bowed quickly, then exchanged

lled as she angrily threw away the contents on her dressing table. Her knees gave way, and she sank ont

yes when she mentioned the pavilion. She'd seen the hesitation, the surprise. So Kaelos hadn't

d walked to the mirror, wiping at her cheeks with the heel of her hand. In the mirror, s

.." Her throat tightened. Elara didn't know what else to say to comfort h

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se. Kaelos moved with calculated force, sparring with one of the palace knights. His footwork was fast and meas

ore the knight could retrieve his sword, footsteps approached behind Kaelos. "Your Highness,

nt-" Leopold urged. "I said not now, Leo." Leopold hesitated, then stepped close

eyebrow. "And?" Leopold exhaled and said, "It was between the Princess and..

like a blow. Kaelos dropped the sword instantly

r." Kaelos was already moving. He ran from the courtyard, pushing past servants and startled nobles. Th

nversation by a group of 3 lad

was surely bleeding, I saw it." Another one chipped in. "

The guard bowed stiffly. "Princess Elara returned to her chambers, Your Highness.

hand through his damp hair. "Gods, Elara..." He stood there a b

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ght shatter from the weight of her thoughts. Her hair was loosened now,

that unsettled her. It was the expression in her eyes. Not fear. Not fury. A q

eflection of the man standing behind her, chest rising with heavy breaths, sword belt still hanging

them stretched long and tight. Then, slowly, she stood and turned to

e heat of his breath. Her voice, when it came, was n

oked stunn

t blink.

ted you to meet her that way?" "I don't care how you wanted it." She said,

os said. "Because you constantly do Kaelos. You do, and

silences," Elara whispered. "And your lies. That she was beside you long befor

at did

t did I say? Is that what you have

ay if I don't know what you both spoke of

before me and defe

you're not the only one who's hurt Elara. S

u saying that I should pity her becau

I am saying, Elara

d. Her patience was finally wearing thin. "Let me make one thing

Kaelos

it to the King. Say it to your Mother. Say it to me. But if you see her again behind my back, if I ev

. I am your wife, and that is the only union that is recognised. So if you want Athena, you will take her and let us all know." Ela

A dark line of blood had dried beneath it. His eyes trailed down-he noticed

and his breath caught. The torn lip. His other hand reached for her arm. She stiffened but didn't pull away. Slowly, he pushed back the fabric of

oked at him, unflinching. "Yes," she said simply. Kaelos shook his head. He wanted to speak,

her voice came in sharp, "unless this is the last time you ever do so." She didn't wait t

ers. And he needed to know why it felt like Elara's words had split him in two. He shut the d

chest wasn't about Athena. It was about the look in Elara's eyes. Betrayed- yet bold. By the

sides of his heart, and eventually, he w