Tales of Aria"Lost Heir"

black void of her cell, where time lost all meaning. There were no sunrises, no stars-just

mine now. It replayed like a curse, gnawi

tsteps, slow.

igure stepped into the dim glow of

low, tired, male. "You're to be fed

through her

of watery gruel that barely looked edible. But her eyes... her eyes caught Ar

aced the bowl do

gaze

ked hoarsely, her voic

, glancing over her shoulder to make sure the

wly. "Are you w

whisper. "I'm doing what I have to. But I w

y kindling. Aria's breath hitched.

We don't have time to plan an escape now. But

hunger forgotten. "Then

helping her shift back into her half-shifted form. She cleaned the scrapes on her face with wa

g back to examine her work. "Keep your head low. D

ly, a flicker of defiance barely hi

urmured. "He'll think y

ved with ancient runes-symbols of power and bloodlines long lost. The air grew heavier

opped. She leaned close, v

Moonlight One. I

eaving Aria alone before the w

walls. And there he sat-Malakai. His presence consumed the room, dark an

up slowly

er greeting an old flame. "

storm behind her eyes. Her shoul

de, she

the steps of his throne. H

ling her. "You look like her, you know. Your moth

aid no

nd you?" He stopped behind her, his breat

jaw. "What do y

"That fire. It's w

You'll stay here until I decide your fa

f his hand. Guards step

't resis

e hall, her feet scraping th

dark, but now, the darkness

a wasn't br