14. Elora
14
ELORA
T he castle was incredibly quiet save for a few bustling servants here and there. I never really caught sight of anyone, instead catching the glimpse of a tail or a set of wings as the other residents of the castle dip behind doors or around corners.
I wandered the castle today, bored out of my mind. Amon had been gone three days.
I was beginning to miss his company. I also cursed myself every time I realized I did.
Letting out a sigh, I round a corner, sconce in hand. The corridors seemed to get darker the further I went into the depths of the castle, and I contemplated turning around.
The sconces weren’t even lit this far back, and I shook off the chill that tried to creep up my spine.
The entire place feels like a dungeon.
In a way, maybe that’s what this place was supposed to feel like.
I was never able to tell whether it was day or night, and there weren’t a whole lot of windows either.
There was no way to tell exactly where this place stood in space and time. I also didn’t really try to figure it out. I just knew we weren’t on my plane anymore.
Overwhelming quiet impregnates the space around me, and my ears ring as I round another corner.
This corridor is even darker than the last one, and a slight musty scent wafts towards me.
I briefly contemplate turning back, and just as I’m about to, a whisper makes me stop.
“Elooora.”
A chill creeps up my spine, causing the hairs on the back of my neck and arms to stand on end.
I let out a shaky breath, peering into the impenetrable darkness.
“Eloooora.”
There it is again. The whisper is barely discernible, but I know I heard my name.
“Hello?” I manage to say, the words coming out quiet and squeaky.
I hear my name again and curse myself as I hold the sconce out in front of me.
“Oh god, here we go.” I whisper as I begin down the dark corridor. The darkness is off putting, and I feel disoriented as I continue.
Spiderwebs hang from the stone ceiling and archways. I lift my skirt in one hand, picking up the pace. Another whisper coaxes me onwards.
Slowly the corridor begins to take on an otherworldly glow. It’s barely noticeable at first, but as I walk the glow gets brighter.
The light is warm, and welcoming, and I can’t help but be drawn towards the source.
The corridor rounds off to the left, and as I turn the corner I stop, gasping.
Ahead of me sits a giant, gilded golden door.
My heart thuds in my chest steadily as the door comes to life. Golden roses bloom and vines swirl and creep along the surface. I watch as the blooms appear, and then close before disappearing altogether.
A sigh escaped my lips as I take it in. It’s so incredibly beautiful, and I don’t even realize I’m moving closer to it until the air around me begins to feel charged.
The space between me and the door begins to hum, and I reach a hand out towards a bloom that seems to be reaching for me…beckoning.
Time seems to stop, and then all the air leaves my lungs as I am shoved backwards suddenly. My back contacts the stone wall of the corridor, and I let out a whoosh of air.
I blink, finally able to clear my head, only to realize that Amon is holding me in place.
Looking down at the hand planted in the center of my chest, I glance up to see Amon’s black eyes boring into mine.
His breath is ragged, and his brow is furrowed with worry.
I shake my head, attempting to clear the lingering fuzzy sensation.
“I told you this area was forbidden to you.” Amon growls.
He doesn’t move to release me.
I turn to look at the door again, feeling the magnetic pull.
“I’m sorry…I-I didn’t even realize…” My voice trails off as I try to push against Amon’s hand.
The door calls to me, and I can hear whispers of my name coming from the other side.
Impossible.
The corridor spins around me as I’m swooped up into Amon’s arms. The sconce in my hand clatters to the ground.
Turning away from the door, he strides down the corridor, away from it.
The further we get, the more my head seems to clear.
Once we reach the entrance of the corridor Amon sets me on my feet.
He reaches out, steadying me, and I smooth my skirts, looking up at him sheepishly.
“I’m so sorry, Amon.” I whisper looking back towards the dark corridor.
Silence spans between us, and I risk looking up at him. His black eyes bore into mine, but his features have calmed somewhat.
“What was that?” I ask.
“It doesn’t matter. I told you to stay away from this area.” Amon’s words are sharp and clipped, and I inwardly cringe.
“Why won’t you tell me?” I bite back, raising my chin at him. “If I have to live here, I think I deserve to know, don’t you?”
Amon creeps closer, and I shrink backwards, my back meeting the cool stone wall.
Goosebumps pebble my skin as Amon leans in, inhaling deeply. My lips part and heat pools at my center as he invades my space.
He dips his head towards my neck, and I barely bite back a moan as his hair tickles my chest.
Reaching out, I place my hand against his chest, attempting to stop him from advancing. He stills, looking down at the place where my hand meets his chest.
Even through the fabric of his shirt I can feel the heat emanating off of him, and I can feel his heart hammering behind his ribcage.
His eyes seem to darken further, and I notice small black veining beginning to appear at the edge of his eyes.
“Amon…” I whisper, pushing at him. My heart matches his, thundering in my chest wildly. The rest of my body, however, betrays me, and I squeeze my thighs together against the moisture that has pooled there suddenly.
He shakes his head, his eyes clearing from black back to amber.
Looking down at my hand again, he finally backs away slowly, putting some space between us.
“All you need to know is that area is off limits to you. If you try again there will be consequences.” Amon leans in, his face coming within inches of mine.
“Do you understand me?”
I nod quickly, planting my palms against the cool stone of the wall behind me.
Amon looks down, his jaw ticking, then turns to stalk away.
I let out a whoosh of air, plopping to the ground. My head spins with the ebbing sensation the door gave off, and I raise a hand to my head.
What was that?
Why did it make me feel this way?
What would have happened if I had touched it? Why was Amon so insistent that I keep my distance?
If there was one thing I knew, it was how to get answers.
One way or another, I’d figure it out.
Amon
I enter my chamber, slamming the heavy door shut with a massive thundering bang. With heaving breaths, I stalk to the fireplace, placing my hands against the stone hearth.
I glare down into the flames.
What was happening to me?
This tiny slip of a female was getting under my skin.
My body tingles at the memory of her scent as it assaulted my senses.
Could it be?
It’s not possible.
I shake my head with a growl. The door had responded to Elora. If she had been able to open it…
I slam my palm against the hearth.
She was incredibly lucky I sensed the shift and made it to her on time. If I hadn’t she would’ve all but been lost to me. There’s no telling where she would have ended up.
The thought sends dread blooming through my chest, and I cringe. I didn’t know what this thing was between us. But I know she feels it too.
The air shifts and Balail appears, sashaying towards me. I don’t turn to look at her, and as she walks up behind me, she wraps her arms around my middle, her hands splaying against my chest.
“Master, let me ease your troubles.” She purrs, running her claws down my chest gently.
My body doesn’t respond.
Preoccupied with thoughts of Elora, I shrug her off.
She scoffs, attempting again to gain my attention. “Let me strike her from your mind, Amon.”
Pressing her breasts against my back, she reaches around to the front of me. Delving her hand into my pants, she wraps a hand around my cock.
I reach out, snatching her hand up in mine and twisting it painfully. A hiss escapes her as I turn to glare at her.
I back her towards the door, away from the fire.
“Leave me be.” I snap, my voice low and deadly.
Balail shoots me a glare, yanking her hand from my grasp.
“What has gotten into you? Is it that human? ” The last word comes out clipped, and her face contorts in disgust.
“Would you rather waste your attentions on the likes of her?”
I stalk towards her, backing her up against the door.
“Tread carefully, d emon. ” I growl, my hands pulling into loose fists.
Balial scoffs, her hands flying to her hips. “It IS that little human!” She tosses her head back, laughter pouring out of her.
I snap, reaching out to wrap a hand around her throat.
She squeaks, reaching up to claw at my forearm. I don’t notice.
“Listen to me closely,” I start, inching my face closer to hers. “If you so much as touch a hair on her head so help me God, I will return you to the fiery depths from which you came.”
Balail’s eyes widen, and her eyes turn bright yellow with fear.
I squeeze slightly, my eyes boring into hers.
“Do not try me.”
I release her, and she gasps out a breath, her hand flying to her throat.
She shoots me a glare before the air shifts, and she’s gone.