Aurelia stared at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. The dress she'd been gifted was elegant, dark and flowing with silver thread that caught the light with every slight movement. It was beautiful—too beautiful, almost like an illusion. She hated it.
The collar around her neck felt heavier than ever, suffocating. It was a constant reminder of how trapped she was.
"Enjoy the feast, Aurelia," Kaelen had told her earlier, his tone colder than usual. He hadn't demanded her attendance, but she knew there would be consequences if she didn't show up. That was always how it went with him.
She ran her fingers over the silk, tugging at the neckline in irritation. A knock sounded at the door, sharp and demanding.
"Come in," she called, forcing her voice to sound composed.
Mira, one of the court healers, stepped into the room, a sympathetic smile on her face. "You look stunning," she said, though her eyes lingered on the dress with an unreadable expression.
"I don't feel stunning," Aurelia muttered.
Mira's smile faded. "I know you'd rather not be here, but this is what you must endure. Kaelen's feasts are… complicated."
"Complicated?" Aurelia raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You mean dangerous?"
Mira hesitated, glancing toward the door as if making sure they were alone. "Let's just say there are some who are not happy with Kaelen's rule," she whispered. "And you're in the middle of it. Be careful tonight, Aurelia."
Aurelia met her gaze. "What do you mean?"
"I can't say more. Just… keep your eyes open. Not everyone in this court is your ally."
Aurelia frowned, the weight of her words settling over her like a shadow. "Are you saying I should trust no one?"
Mira's lips pressed into a thin line. "Trust only yourself."
With that, Mira turned and left, the door closing quietly behind her. Aurelia stood frozen for a moment, the words echoing in her mind. Trust only yourself. It wasn't much to go on, but it was enough to make her question everything.
She wasn't sure if it was the dress or the warning, but something felt off. She had spent weeks in this palace, yet tonight, for the first time, she felt like she didn't belong at all.
The feast hall was alive with chatter and laughter as Aurelia entered. Kaelen sat at the high table, his presence commanding attention as always. His silver eyes flicked toward her the moment she stepped inside, though he didn't smile or acknowledge her. His gaze was as cold as ever.
Aurelia's skin prickled with unease as she made her way across the hall. She could feel the eyes of the courtiers on her—whispers floating through the air like a constant hum. Some were curious, others amused. But there was something more, something darker lurking beneath their gazes.
She didn't know who to trust in this room. The thought made her skin crawl.
"Over here," a voice called, and Aurelia looked up to see Kaelen motioning her over to the table.
She walked toward him, every step feeling heavier than the last. She wanted nothing more than to turn and leave, but she knew that would only make things worse. For better or for worse, she was stuck here.
As she reached the table, she glanced around. Kaelen's gaze never wavered from her. He made a slight gesture, and a servant pulled out a chair beside him. Aurelia sat down stiffly, her back straight, refusing to look at anyone but Kaelen.
"I trust you'll enjoy the evening," Kaelen said, his voice smooth, though there was a sharp edge to it that didn't go unnoticed.
Aurelia tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "I'm sure I'll find it… enlightening."
He smirked, a brief flash of amusement before the mask slipped back into place. "Good. Let's see if you can make yourself comfortable."
Before she could respond, a man stepped forward, bowing low to Kaelen before turning to her. He was tall, with dark hair and sharp features. There was something unsettling about him, the way his eyes lingered on her a moment too long.
"Aurelia," he said, his voice smooth but with an undertone of something dangerous, "it's an honor to finally meet you. I've heard much about you."
She tensed at his words, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. She didn't trust him, didn't trust anyone here.
"I don't believe we've met," she said, her tone clipped.
"I'm sorry, where are my manners?" The man's smile was tight, but his eyes held a flicker of something she couldn't place. "I'm Rhys. I've been here for some time, watching things unfold."
Aurelia's eyes narrowed. "Watching?" she repeated, a chill creeping up her spine.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze flicked to Kaelen for a moment before returning to her. "Yes," he said softly. "There's a lot more happening here than you realize, Aurelia. But it's not safe for you to be in the dark much longer. Be careful who you trust."
Before she could respond, Rhys turned and melted into the crowd, leaving her with a growing sense of unease.
Her instincts flared, but she forced them down. She needed to stay calm, to keep her focus. The whispers, the warnings—they were all part of the game. But what was the game? And why was she the target?
As the night wore on, Aurelia couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She did her best to appear uninterested, but her mind kept racing. The conversation with Rhys haunted her, gnawing at the back of her mind. What did he mean? What was he trying to say?
She pushed her empty plate aside, her gaze scanning the room. Her eyes caught a flash of movement near the far wall—a shadow slipping between the tapestries. Aurelia's heart skipped. She stood up, making her way toward the hallway, slipping past the servants and the revelers.
Her pulse quickened as she turned a corner, the distant sounds of the feast fading behind her. The hallway was dim, quiet. But her instincts told her something was wrong. She needed to find out what.
When she reached her chambers, she pushed the door open, only to freeze. Something was different.
Her eyes fell to the desk in the far corner. There, partially hidden beneath the papers, was a crest. A silver crescent moon, surrounded by intricate runes. Her stomach churned. She knew this symbol—the Moonborn.
Aurelia's breath caught in her throat. What was this doing in her room? And why was it hidden so carefully?
A voice echoed in her mind: You're not safe here.
Her hand trembled as she reached for the crest.
It was just the beginning.