Celestia's POV
The bandit's smile vanishes as the Executioner's blade cuts through his throat.
Blood sprays across the carriage interior. The man crumples without a sound.
I scream.
I said stay down! The Executioner yanks me back to the floor as another bandit appears at the door. Steel clashes against steel. The whole carriage shakes with the force of their fight.
Through the gap in the door, I see chaos. At least six bandits surround us, weapons drawn. Our driver lies motionless on the ground.
We're going to die.
The Executioner moves like a nightmare come to life. His blade flashes in the dim light—once, twice, three times. Bodies fall. He doesn't waste movements. Doesn't hesitate. Each strike is perfect. Final.
A bandit tries to climb through the window behind me. I grab the only thing I can reach—a metal lantern hanging from the wall, and smash it into his face. He screams and falls backward.
Good, the Executioner says without looking at me. Now stay in the carriage.
He leaps out, and the sounds of fighting intensify. Grunts. Screams. The wet sound of blade meeting flesh.
Then... silence.
I huddle on the floor, shaking so hard my teeth chatter. Minutes pass like hours.
The door opens. I flinch back.
It's done. His voice is calm, like he didn't just kill six men. We need to move. The driver's dead.
You... you're going to drive?
Unless you know how to handle a team in the dark. He extends his bloody hand to help me up.
I stare at that hand. At the blood dripping from his fingers.
I won't hurt you, he says quietly. But we need to leave. Now. Where there are six bandits, there are usually more.
I take his hand.
Shadow Keep appears through the darkness like a massive beast crouching on the hillside.
I've been sitting beside the Executioner for two hours as he drove in complete silence. Every time I tried to speak, he ignored me. So I stopped trying.
Now, as the fortress looms closer, my stomach twists with fresh fear.
This is it. My prison. My tomb.
The carriage passes through enormous iron gates that screech like dying things. Torches flicker in the courtyard, casting jumping shadows everywhere.
Servants appear from the darkness. At least a dozen of them, lined up and waiting.
The Executioner climbs down first, then turns to help me. The moment his boots hit the ground, every single servant drops into a deep bow. Their faces press toward the stones.
They're terrified of him.
My lord, an older man says, his voice shaking. Welcome home.
Prepare the east chambers for my wife, the Executioner commands. Hot water. Food. Everything she needs.
Of course, my lord. At once, my lord.
The servants scatter like frightened birds.
I stand there, frozen. Wife. He called me his wife like it's real. Like this nightmare is actually my life now.
This way. He starts walking toward the main entrance.
I follow because there's nowhere else to go.
Inside, Shadow Keep is nothing like I expected. Instead of dungeons and torture chambers, there are thick carpets and polished furniture. Paintings on the walls. It's almost... normal.
But there's something wrong about it. The silence is too heavy. The shadows too dark. Like the fortress itself is holding its breath.
We climb a winding staircase to the second floor. He stops at a large wooden door.
Your chambers. He pushes it open.
I step inside and stop in shock.
The room is beautiful. A massive bed with silk curtains. A fireplace already burning. Windows overlooking the mountains. Shelves full of books. A door leading to what looks like a private bathing room.
It's a room fit for a queen.
I don't understand, I whisper.
You'll be comfortable here. He moves to leave.
Wait! The word bursts out of me. That's it? You're just... leaving me here?
He pauses at the doorway, his back to me. What did you expect?
My face burns. I thought... everyone says you're a monster. That you... I can't finish the sentence.
That I'd force myself on you? His voice is cold. Is that what you think of me?
I don't know what to think! You killed six men tonight without blinking!
They would have killed you. He still doesn't turn around. Or worse.
So now I'm supposed to be grateful? My voice rises. You dragged me from my life, forced me to marry you, brought me to this prison
Yes. A prison. Finally, he turns. With locks on the outside of your door. Guards who report your every movement. You're a prisoner here, Lady Celestia. Don't mistake comfort for freedom.
The words hit like slaps. He's not even pretending this is a real marriage.
Then why bother with the nice room? I ask bitterly. Why not just throw me in the dungeons?
Because I'm not the monster you think I am.
Before I can respond, he leaves. The door closes behind him with a final-sounding thud.
I hear the lock click.
I'm alone.
Hours pass. Servants brought food and hot water like he ordered, but they wouldn't meet my eyes. Wouldn't speak beyond brief, frightened responses.
Now it's deep night. The fire has burned low. I'm sitting on the bed in a nightgown someone left for me, exhausted but unable to sleep.
Every sound makes me jump. Every shadow looks like a threat.
When the lock clicks again, my heart stops.
The door opens.
The Executioner enters, and this time he closes the door behind him. Locks it from the inside.
I scramble backward on the bed. What are you doing?
We need to talk.
I don't want to
I know you're innocent.
The words freeze me mid-sentence. What?
He moves closer, and in the firelight, I can finally see him clearly. The black hood still hides his face, but his movements are different now. Less threatening. Almost... hesitant.
Your trial, he continues. The evidence. Your father's testimony. All of it was a lie.
My breath catches. You... you know?
I've known since before the wedding.
Then why didn't you help me? The question comes out as a broken sob. Why didn't you tell them? Why did you let them
Because you'd be dead if I had. He takes another step closer. Your father isn't just a traitor. He's part of something bigger. Something that would kill you in a heartbeat to keep their secrets safe.
I can't process this. He knows. He's known the whole time.
If you know I'm innocent, then help me prove it! Help me clear my name!
I can't.
Why not?
Because everyone thinks you're neutralized now. Married to the monster. Hidden away in Shadow Keep. They think you're no longer a threat. His voice drops lower. That's the only reason you're still breathing.
Tears burn my eyes. So I'm supposed to just... what? Stay locked in this room forever?
Yes.
The single word breaks something inside me.
You're as bad as they are, I whisper. Worse, even. You know the truth and you're still punishing me.
He's quiet for a long moment.
Then his hands reach up and push back his hood.
I gasp.
The face revealed in the firelight is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Strong jaw. High cheekbones. Dark hair that falls across his forehead. And eyes—deep, endless eyes that hold centuries of pain.
He's not a monster at all.
He's devastatingly, impossibly beautiful.
I'm not punishing you, he says quietly, his real voice deeper and richer than the cold tone he uses with everyone else. I'm keeping you alive. Because whoever framed you wants you dead, and as long as you're my wife, you're protected.
Protected? I'm a prisoner!
Yes. His eyes hold mine. A living prisoner. Which is better than a dead innocent.
He turns toward the door.
Wait! I jump off the bed. You can't just tell me all this and leave! I have questions, I need to know
He looks back at me, and something flickers in those dark eyes. Regret? Longing?
Ask me tomorrow, he says. If you still want answers.
Why wouldn't I want answers?
Because tonight, you should sleep. He unlocks the door. Tomorrow, you might wish you'd never asked.
He leaves, and I hear the lock click again.
I stand there, frozen, my mind spinning.
He knows I'm innocent. He's protecting me. He's not a monster.
But he's also keeping me prisoner.
And tomorrow, apparently, I'm going to learn something that will change everything.
I walk to the window, staring out at the dark mountains.
Then I see it.
A figure standing in the courtyard below. Too far to make out clearly, but I can see them looking up at my window.
Watching me.
The figure raises one hand in what might be a wave.
Then melts back into the shadows and disappears.
Someone else is here in Shadow Keep.
And they know exactly which window is mine.