Chapter 18 - Shadows on the Horizon

After that tumultuous night, the hours passed in a blur. Before, I felt that being in Eldoria was an evolution in my chaotic life, but now I feel insecure. Soren and the councilors still hadn’t managed to unlink my powers from Malachai, Avalon’s appearance started to seem strange to me, and Ycarus’s disappearance had become a nightmare that lasted too long. And the more time passed, the more fear took root in my chest.

In the days that followed, there was no trace of Ycarus. The news of his disappearance spread throughout the city, and then I learned that Ycarus was quite popular in the kingdom.

I went through a tiring and awkward interrogation. I had to tell the council, in front of Soren, that I was supposed to meet Ycarus on the day he disappeared. I did everything to seem casual, but it was too obvious.

Twyla became absent, appearing less often in Nocthelion. Draven became a more constant presence, and although his company was comforting, the mystery surrounding Ycarus left me uneasy. The fact is that if there were people suspecting me before, now there were many more. I began to feel like a prisoner again.

On one of those days, as I wandered through the corridors, I came across Aria. She was sitting on one of the corridor windows, her eyes fixed on the horizon, deep in thought.

“Aria?” I called softly, approaching. She took a moment before tearing her gaze away from the landscape to look at me.

“Thalassa,” she greeted with a cheerful expression. “Is everything okay? I’ve missed you in class.”

Indeed, it’s been two weeks since I showed up for my lessons. I shook my head, unable to find words that could express the turmoil inside me.

“I can’t stop thinking about Ycarus,” I confessed, feeling a lump in my throat. “And the possibility that all this is my fault.”

Aria stood up, crossing the corridor to me. She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t think like that, Thalassa. Ycarus is a strong man, and whatever happened to him is not your fault.”

“But what if it is?” my voice was almost a whisper. “What if he was in danger because of me? I... I feel like something is wrong. Since I arrived here, almost nothing about me has been discovered.”

Aria pulled me into a tight hug, and I let myself be comforted by that momentary solace. When we pulled apart, there was determination in her eyes.

“I have a good feeling about you,” she smiled. Aria is a very beautiful woman. “And I’m rarely wrong. Whatever is happening in Eldoria now, Soren is prepared to defend the kingdom.”

That still didn’t reassure me.

When I arrived here, I felt like a child, safe and protected by kind adults who wanted to help me. But now it’s been almost two years since I entered the magical world, and I’ve evolved very little. I learned to read and write, I learned a bit of magic, and I discovered incredible things that only exist here. But I haven’t discovered anything about myself, about my past, and I can’t plan for a future.

Back in my room, I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the darkness that was taking over the sky. I closed my eyes and let my intuition guide me, trying to capture any fragment of information that might lead me to some path.

Soren’s face appeared in my mind, making my skin tingle. Perhaps I should start sorting out my life by starting with Soren.

Determined, I got up, grabbed a cloak, and silently left the room. I knew it was risky, but I couldn’t wait any longer.

As I sneaked through the castle corridors, I felt the adrenaline pulsing in my veins. I didn’t know how this night would end. But my intuition was telling me that this would be the best night of my life so far.

With each step towards the king’s chambers, I felt that going back was no longer an option. For two years, this has been my greatest desire, and I no longer want to resist.

The castle corridors, usually bustling with guards and servants, were strangely empty. The absence of any human presence only intensified the sense of urgency and mystery. The silence was broken only by the soft sound of my feet touching the stone floor, echoing off the dark walls.

I hesitated for just a second when I reached Soren’s bedroom door. I took a deep breath and slowly pushed the door open. The dark room was illuminated by the light of the full moon.

As I entered, I closed the door behind me. A soft dimness enveloped the room. A few lit candles cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere that was both cozy and charged with anticipation. For a moment, I imagined Soren waking up startled and vaporizing me with a spell.

And then I saw him. He was sitting in a chair, and he had probably seen me from the moment I opened the door.

The light illuminated his calm expression, but his eyes gleamed with mischief; he knew why I was there.

He wore an unbuttoned linen shirt, revealing part of his muscular chest, and the pants highlighted his muscular thighs. I immediately wished to sit on his lap.

His smile widened, as if he could read my thoughts, and desire spread through every inch of my body.

“I think the moon granted my wish, Thalassa,” his voice was low and husky, laden with a delicious sensuality. “Why don’t you come here?”

For a moment, I was paralyzed, my gaze locked on his, trying to decipher every nuance of that expression. There was no turning back now; this would be our night. The room was filled with an energy that enveloped us and pulled us towards each other. Then I finally moved, walking slowly towards him.

When I stopped by his side, Soren stood up, his eyes fixed on mine, as if he were waiting for my permission to proceed. I swallowed hard, feeling a mixture of fear and excitement. I knew that crossing this line meant something irreversible, but at that moment, nothing felt more right than being there with him.

I didn’t say anything, but the way my body leaned slightly towards him was enough. Soren reached out and gently pulled me onto the bed, his warm fingers against my cool skin. I let myself fall beside him, feeling the warmth of his body envelop mine.

Soren pulled me closer, and the proximity made our lips meet almost instinctively. The kiss started soft, like a promise, but quickly became more intense, as if we were both trying to express in gestures what words couldn’t. Soren’s hands moved delicately over my body, while my fingers glided over his skin, exploring every line, every muscle.

But desire quickly changed the pace of things. I had wished for this moment for two years, and now I was finally living it. We were destined to find each other, and nothing else mattered.