Lost In The Wrong Corridor

After wandering through three identical halls, I stopped dead in my tracks. The corridor stretched out ahead of me was completely unfamiliar. I was lost.

"Unbelievable" I muttered under my breath. 

I tightened my grip around the basket of clean clothes in my arms. 

I took one hesitant step backward, and slammed straight into a solid wall of muscle. The basket flew from my arms, scattering the clothes across the floors.

"I'm so sorry!" I dropped to my knees immediately , scrambling to gather them.

A pair of polished black leather boots stood inches from my hands. Slowly and terrifyingly, I raised my head.

Alpha Vaelor stared down at me. Of all the people I could have collided with in this citadel it had to be him??

My breath hitched. I forced myself to swallow the sudden panic. "Forgive me, alpha"

His pale golden eyes flicked down to the mess of white sheets, then slowly dragged back up to my face. "Lost?"

"Yes."

"Where were you supposed to be?"

"The upper servants' quarters."

One dark eyebrow arched. "And yet here you are in a restricted part of the citadel. Did no one warn you about where servants aren't allowed"

"No. I..I took the wrong corridor," I stammered, scooping up a handful of cloth. "I apologize."

He took a slow step closer, the shadow of his broad frame swallowing me completely. 

"Then perhaps you should listen more carefully to the chatters at the halls"

"Yes, alpha," I whispered, keeping my eyes down.

Silence fell between us.

Instantly, my mind flashed back to the courtyard. The boy begging on his knees. The horrific crunch of Vaelor's claws through his chest, I felt my stomach twist in disgust.

Vaelor caught the slight twitch of my jaw. "You were in the courtyard."

"Yes, I was" I replied 

"You watched." He said. I knew that wasn't really a question.

I stayed silent, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"Answer me," he commanded.

"Yes, I watched"

He studied the fear I was trying so hard to hide. "Did you find what you saw unpleasant?"

My fingers dug hard into the linen in my lap. "Yes."

A spark flickered in his  eyes. "Good. You should. Fear is useful. It keeps people like you alive."

The image of the dead girl from my first day flashed in my mind, followed by the boy in the courtyard. 

"Sometimes," I blurted out.

Vaelor’s eyes narrowed. "Sometimes?"

I slammed my gaze back to the floor. "Forgive me."

He let out a quiet, mocking click of his tongue. 

"You're nervous. But you're not trembling."

Before I could process the words, his hand shot out. Sharp claws caught my chin, tipping my face up. He didn't break my skin, but the pressure was firm enough to lock me in place. I flinched, trying to pull back.

His grip tightened, holding me fast. "Your eyes..."

He stared directly into them, his predatory expression suddenly shifting into something unreasonable.

"They look..." He cut himself off, his jaw flexing, then suddenly released my chin and stepped back. "Unusual."

I instantly reached up, rubbing my jaw. "May I leave, Alpha?"

He stared down at me for a few seconds before stepping aside. "Pick up your clothes. And next time you lose your way, don't wander into places where I might find you."

I looked up, meeting his cold eyes one last time. "Yes, alpha."

I didn't wait to be told twice. I gathered the scattered sheets and hurried away as fast as my legs could carry me, not daring to look back.

Only when I’d turned three different corners did I lean against the cold stone wall and let out a ragged breath.

I hated him. I had watched him murder a boy who was only trying to save his mother, and then he’d held his claws to my throat as if I were nothing. I squeezed the linens so tight my arms ached. I would never understand how monsters like him slept at night.

Behind her, Vaelor remained standing in the dim corridor, his gaze lingering on the empty passage where the human girl had vanished.

Footsteps echoed against the floors. Vaelor turned his head as Kaelith approached, flanked by Aliyah. 

Her silver hair fell over one shoulder, her robes rustling softly as she walked beside the King.

Aliyah caught the tense line of Vaelor’s shoulders. "What happened?"

Vaelor flicked his eyes toward the empty hall. "Just a wandering human servant stepping into places she shouldn't be."

Kaelith’s eyes narrowed slightly, his presence instantly darkening the corridor. "Did you hurt the servant?"

Vaelor looked at his brother, a bitter edge entering his voice. "I will always be a monster in your eyes, won't I, Kaelith?"

"That does not answer my question," Kaelith replied, his face an unreadable mask.

Vaelor’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, for evading your gracious inquiry. I did not hurt the bloody human servant. I showed her mercy."

He took a step past Kaelith, turning back with a low smirk. "Of course, I may not be quite so kind to the next servant who wanders into places they shouldn't be." 

"Vaelor," Kaelith warned, his voice echoing through the passage.

"Easy, both of you," she said firmly, her calm gaze moving between them. "We have a much bigger problem heading toward our gates."

Vaelor finally paused, turning his head

Aliyah’s expression had become more serious "I just received a message from the borders. Darian is on his way to the citadel."

Vaelor’s sneer instantly vanished, replaced by a dark scowl. "That bloody skunk still has his eyes on the throne"

"He never stopped," Kaelith said quietly.

Vaelor rounded on his brother. "And you're allowing him to march straight into your territory?"

"He was invited."

Vaelor let out a humorless laugh. "Invited?"

Kaelith’s gold eyes flashed. "Do you think I would allow Darian into this citadel without knowing exactly what he intends to do?"

Vaelor crossed his arms. "He's spent years gathering support among the rival pack houses. He isn't coming here to pay his respects, Kaelith. He wants your crown."

"Then he should have the courage to demand it to my face," Kaelith said, his voice deadly calm.

"He won't," Vaelor growled. "He plays in the shadows."

"Then he will remain postured as a coward."

Aliyah let out a soft sigh. "Darian has been patient, Kaelith. Extremely patient."

"Patience doesn't make him dangerous," Kaelith said, turning his gaze toward the windows overlooking the mountain pass. "Opportunity does."

Vaelor tilted his head, watching his brother closely. "And you're going to give him one?"

"No." Kaelith looked back at his brother, his expression cold and calculating. "I'm going to let him believe he has one."

A heavy silence stretched across the corridor.

Vaelor stared at Kaelith for a long moment before a dark smirk broke across his face. He let out a low laugh. "There you are."

Kaelith’s brow furrowed. "What?"

"The King I remember," Vaelor said, turning away. "I'll be waiting when the bastard arrives." He turned and strode down the hall.

"Vaelor," Kaelith called after him.

Vaelor didn't stop, waving a hand dismissively as he disappeared around the corner.

Aliyah waited until the sound of Vaelor’s heavy boots faded before turning to Kaelith. "Take it easy on him. You know how rough his temperament gets when the borders are threatened."

Kaelith’s jaw tightened. "The servants shouldn't have to pay for my mistakes."

"You made no mistake, you did what any king who values his people would do. And Vaelor will understand that eventually" Aliyah said gently, stepping closer.

Kaelith didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on the empty corridor.

Aliyah studied the tight lines around his eyes. "And your dreams? The visions?"

Kaelith’s face shifted, only slightly, but enough for her to notice the raw exhaustion beneath his royal posture. "They have worsened."

Aliyah released a breath. "I'll have Thaddeus brew a stronger tincture tonight."

"The potions aren't working anymore, Aliyah," Kaelith said, his voice barely above a whisper.

She paused for a moment before continuing. "Then he'll make a stronger one."

Kaelith turned his gaze toward the shadows flickering along the stone walls.

"Something is changing in this citadel, Aliyah," he said softly, his golden eyes burning bright in the dim light. "I can feel it.”