The drive didn't take long. After a few minutes, the car slowed to a stop before a towering black steel gate. A guard stepped out of the shadows and approached the window.
"Reason for your visit?" he asked.
"The lady Miandra requested their presence," the driver replied.
The guard's expression shifted. He nodded once, then pressed a button, allowing the heavy gates to slide open. They drove through, and moments later the car stopped in front of an imposing stone house.
Amaris and Evan stepped out. Confusion tugged at both of them as the car quietly reversed and drove back out, leaving them alone.
They barely had a second to process before the front door opened.
And out stepped the most breathtaking woman Amaris had ever seen.
She was tall, slender, and brown-skinned, wrapped in a flowing brown robe-like dress with a dangerously deep V-neck. The sharp cutouts at her waist accentuated her curves, and the loose sleeves draped off her arms in a way that made every movement look intentional. She seemed to walk with the elegance and regality that only royalty could pull off.
Elegant. Regal. Untouchable. All wrapped around her effortlessly.
But it was her eyes that stole Amaris' breath — a light, striking shade of violet, glowing softly even in the dim light.
As the woman descended the steps, Amaris couldn't look away. It was like being wrapped in a spell. She knew Evan felt it too without even glancing at him.
"Welcome," the woman said, voice warm and strangely melodic. "Miandra informed me of your arrival. Please, come in."
The haze snapped. Amaris blinked hard, finally able to think straight, and followed her inside with Evan trailing beside her.
The interior of the house was nothing like the outside — still colorless, but filled with a quiet, ancient energy Amaris couldn't name. They were led to a sitting room.
"Please make yourselves comfortable," the woman said. "I'll have Lora bring something for you both. You must be hungry and tired."
"Yes, we'd love that—" Amaris started.
"Ariel," she said with a soft smile.
Oh. So this was Ariel. Even her name felt like silk.
"Ariel," Amaris repeated, smiling back. "I'm Amaris. Thank you."
Ariel turned to Evan. "And what do I call you?"
Evan was staring openly, completely lost in her charm. Amaris elbowed him.
"She's asking for your name."
He blinked out of whatever trance he was in and blushed scarlet. "Oh—uh… Evan. Just call me Evan."
"Alright, Evan. I'll be right back," Ariel said, gliding away.
True to her word, she returned moments later with a younger girl carrying trays — Lora. Ariel guided them to the dining room, where they ate for nearly an hour. When they finished, Lora cleared the plates and escorted them back to the sitting room.
Ariel didn't return.
After almost twenty minutes of waiting, Amaris grew restless. Evan was lost in his phone, so she slipped in her earphones and decided to explore.
She wandered for a while, following quiet hallways until she spotted a small door tucked into a corner. After glancing around to be sure no one would scold her, she pushed it open.
A garden.
Not a normal one — a strangely serene one, untouched and quiet. She stepped in, wandering deeper until something caught her eye.
Ruins.
A temple, long abandoned, half-collapsed and swallowed by vines.
She moved toward it, not noticing the stone in front of her until her foot snagged. She stumbled, catching herself on her forearm. Pain shot through her arm as blood dripped down her fingertips.
Then—
A snap.
Twigs breaking.
Footsteps.
Amaris froze.
From the shadows of the ruined temple, something stepped forward.
Not someone.
Something.
She couldn't fully understand its shape — only the eyes.
Dark grey.
Piercing.
Locked on hers.
And she stared back, breath caught in her throat, every part of her trembling in raw, quiet fear.