Chapter 44
AURORA
Dinner feels suffocating tonight. I sit rigidly. I can feel the weight of Thalric’s gaze on me from across the room, a heavy, burning presence I refuse to acknowledge.
Anger coils tightly within me, tangled mercilessly with the aching, raw hurt his words carved into my heart.
Ryllen sits across from me, and I try my best to focus on our conversation, but it’s hard.
Fiora’s warnings echo in my mind, cruelly vindicated by Thalric’s betrayal: Gargoyles don’t love as humans do. It’s obsession, not love. My heart twists painfully, even as something deep within whispers fiercely that it isn’t true.
Determination fills me. If Thalric won’t fight for us, then I will. As I look at Ryllen, I can’t help but think there’s still hope, some way to break this curse that binds us. The Fae prince has a good heart and he deserves more than a reluctant wife.
The candle flames sputter suddenly, the room darkening as a chill creeps across my skin. My mother’s laughter stops abruptly, replaced by tense silence. A faint, sickly sweet scent drifts through the air—rotting fruit and decay.
A swirl of green smoke appears in the center of the dining hall, growing swiftly. The air hums with dark, suffocating power. Ryllen leaps from his chair, immediately placing himself between me and the growing threat.
Thalric steps in front of me as well, his entire body rigid, wings flared defensively as he growls.
The smoke clears to reveal a striking Goblin woman. She has pointed elf-like ears and lavender skin. Black claws tip her fingers. Her amber, cat-like eyes scan the room like a predator searching for prey before they finally land upon me.
“Hello, Princess.” She smiles, revealing razor-sharp fangs. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”
Malvara.
Ryllen lifts his hands, magic flaring in his palm before he sends a bolt of light streaking toward her.
Malvara cackles in wicked delight as it dissipates harmlessly against an invisible shield. “Foolish prince,” she sneers. “Your magic is no match for mine.”
Fiora rises, power radiating from her alongside Lyria and Maribel. “You cannot defeat us combined, Malvara,” Fiora warns, her eyes blazing with anger and defiance.
Malvara tilts her head, eyes narrowed with cold amusement. “Ah, but I haven’t come to fight. I’ve come to offer a truce.” Her gaze settles on my parents. “I’ve come for what I’m due.”
“What do you mean?” my mother asks.
Malvara’s lips curl into a wicked smile as she turns to my father. “Did you never tell your beloved wife, your Majesty?” she taunts. “When your queen lay dying, you came to me. The price of her life was clear. Your payment was to be your firstborn child.”
Mother gasps, and my breath catches as I turn to face my father.
Stunned silence fills the room as everyone waits for him to respond, but when he turns to me I know Malvara speaks the truth when I see the pain and regret shadowing his features.
A muscle tics along the edge of his jaw as he levels a dark glare at Malvara.
“Tell me it isn’t true,” my mother whispers, voice shaking. “Tell me you didn’t—”
“I would have done anything to save you,” my father answers hoarsely, unable to meet her eyes. “When Aurora was born, I thought I could offer something else. But Malvara refused.”
“How delightful.” The Goblin’s laughter rings through the room, a harsh, mocking sound.
“It seems you’ve been keeping secrets from those you claim to love.
” Her eyes glitter cruelly as she turns back to my mother.
“You can always replace her, your Majesty. You’re not too old for another child. But I will have the girl.”
She turns to me, a sinister smile curving her mouth. “Your life belongs to me.”
“You will never touch her,” Thalric snarls. “Not while I draw breath.”
Malvara turns toward him, a wicked smirk on her lips. “You truly believe you can save her, Gargoyle?” Her gaze flicks dismissively to Ryllen. “Ah, the promised prince. And you, Maribel—you thought your little alterations could undo my curse?”
Maribel straightens, refusing to back down. “I am certain.”
“No, you’re not.” Malvara’s smile fades, replaced by cold, deadly seriousness. “My magic has always been stronger than yours. I can see the fear in your eyes. You’re not sure your spell can counter mine.”
She looks at all three Fae sisters. “This is your last chance. Give me the girl, or my curse will take her from you. She will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel, and despite your pathetic attempts at protection—”her gaze narrows at Maribel“—she will die.”
With a fierce roar, Thalric’s father lunges toward Malvara, but she flicks her wrist dismissively, throwing Eldrin violently against the wall.
Fiora, Lyria, Maribel, and Ryllen all unleash their magic simultaneously, a storm of power crashing toward her.
Malvara snarls, green smoke swirling around her as she struggles to deflect their combined magic. “The Princess’s life is mine, and I will have her,” her voice echoes cruelly before she vanishes into thin air.
My entire body trembles uncontrollably as my heart hammers against my ribs.
Malvara’s words replay in my mind. The knowledge that my fate could be death instead of an enchanted sleep shakes me to my very core.
Ryllen turns toward me, his eyes filled with quiet concern as he pulls me into his arms.
My gaze flickers toward Thalric. For a heartbeat, our eyes lock, his expression raw and filled with anguished longing. But I tear my gaze away, my throat burning with unshed tears.
I want so much to go to him… to have him wrap me up in his arms. Despite everything, my traitorous heart aches desperately for his comfort.
Drawing in a deep breath, I try to calm my rapidly beating heart. Sending a silent prayer to the gods, I ask for courage and wisdom. No matter what happens, I refuse to give up.
My life and my future belong to me; not Malvara. And I’m determined to find a way to break her terrible curse.