Chapter Four – Shadows in the Hall
Aria couldn't sleep.
She'd tried to close her eyes, but the castle seemed alive at night. The wind howled against the towers, the old stones groaned, and faint whispers echoed in the halls. Every creak made her sit up, clutching the blanket tighter.
Her thoughts wouldn't stop spinning. Kael's words replayed in her mind: "You're here for a reason."
What reason?
The memory of his gaze made her cheeks burn. There was something unnerving about the way he looked at her, like he could see past her skin and into every thought she'd ever had. And yet, despite her fear, part of her wanted him to look at her that way again.
With a frustrated sigh, she got out of bed. Maybe a short walk would calm her nerves.
---
The corridor was colder than her room. Candles flickered in wrought-iron sconces, casting long, twisting shadows. The silence was heavy, broken only by the distant crash of thunder outside.
Aria walked slowly, her bare feet soundless against the cold stone floor. The castle's walls were lined with tapestries depicting battles, ancient kings, and strange symbols she didn't understand.
She turned a corner—and froze.
A shape moved at the far end of the hall.
At first, she thought it was Kael. But then she saw the way the figure twisted unnaturally, like smoke given form. It was a shadow, but alive—its glowing red eyes locking onto her.
Her breath caught.
The creature lunged.
Aria screamed, spinning around and running as fast as she could. Her feet pounded against the floor, her heart racing wildly. She could hear it behind her, the slithering sound of something not human.
"Kael!" she shouted, her voice breaking.
---
A door at the end of the hall burst open.
Kael stepped out, his silver hair tousled, his sword already in his hand. His glowing eyes narrowed when he saw her.
"Aria?"
Before she could answer, the shadow leapt between them.
Kael moved faster than she could see. His black-fire blade sliced through the air, and the creature dissolved with a shriek, vanishing into smoke.
Aria collapsed against the wall, gasping. Her entire body trembled.
Kael was at her side in an instant, his large hand gripping her shoulder. "What are you doing here? I told you not to leave your room!"
"I—I couldn't sleep," she stammered. "I just wanted to—"
"Wanted to get yourself killed?" His voice was sharp, but there was something underneath—fear.
"I didn't know there would be… things like that here!"
Kael's jaw clenched. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sound the pounding of rain against the windows. Then, he exhaled slowly.
"You're shaking," he said softly, his voice losing its edge.
Aria hadn't realized how badly she was trembling until his hand moved down her arm. His touch was warm, steady, grounding. Her breath hitched.
Kael looked down at her, his glowing eyes softer now.
"Come with me," he murmured.
---
He led her through the corridors, his hand firm on her back. They entered a grand hall she hadn't seen before, its high ceiling supported by dark arches. A massive fire roared in the hearth, bathing the room in golden light.
Kael guided her to a long couch near the fire. "Sit," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Aria sank onto the cushions, hugging herself.
Kael crouched in front of her, his sword laid aside. For a moment, they just stared at each other. His face was close now, so close she could see the faint scar that cut through his left eyebrow, the way his lashes framed those strange glowing eyes.
"You can't wander this castle at night," he said, quieter now. "The Nightborn can slip through cracks in the walls. They're drawn to warmth, to fear. You'd be an easy target."
"I didn't know," she whispered.
"You do now."
His gaze lingered on her lips, just for a second, before he looked away.
---
The fire crackled between them.
"Why do they come here?" she asked after a moment.
Kael straightened but didn't step away. "Because of me," he said. "The curse draws them. Every night, they grow stronger, feeding on the rot spreading through this realm."
Aria swallowed hard. "And the curse… it's really going to kill you?"
"Yes," he said simply. "Unless…" He stopped, his jaw tightening.
"Unless what?" she pressed.
His gaze flicked back to hers, intense and burning. "It doesn't matter."
Her heart pounded. "Kael—"
"I said it doesn't matter," he cut her off, his tone sharp again. But then his eyes softened, and he sighed. "You've already seen too much. You don't need to carry my burdens as well."
Aria looked at him, really looked at him. For all his coldness, there was a kind of sorrow in him that made her chest ache.
"Maybe I want to," she said quietly.
Kael froze. His eyes searched hers, as if trying to find a lie, but there wasn't one. The firelight painted his face in warm gold, softening the harsh lines.
Without thinking, Aria reached out, her fingers brushing his hand.
Kael didn't move. He just stared at her touch, his breath shallow, as if he couldn't believe she'd dared. Slowly, his hand turned, his rough palm meeting hers.
A strange heat shot through her at the contact.
"Aria…" he murmured, his voice lower now, rougher.
Her breath hitched. His face was close—too close. She could feel the warmth of his breath, see the faint silver flecks in his glowing eyes.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to stop.
---
Then Kael stood abruptly, breaking the moment.
"You need rest," he said, his voice clipped again.
Aria blinked, her hand still tingling from his touch. "Kael—"
"No," he said firmly. "Not tonight. It's not safe here."
He picked up his sword and sheathed it, then turned back to her, his expression unreadable. "I'll stay outside your door. Sleep."
Before she could argue, he was gone.
Aria sat by the fire, her heart still pounding. She touched her lips, realizing she'd almost kissed the Cursed King—and she wasn't sure which terrified her more: that she wanted to… or that he'd wanted to, too.