Chapter 97: Stolen Hearts, Stolen Magic
The grand cathedral was a marvel of opulence, a testament to the kingdom's wealth and power. Intricate stained glass windows cast kaleidoscopic patterns across the polished marble floors, and towering golden candelabras bathed the space in a soft, ethereal glow. Nobles in lavish attire whispered amongst themselves as musicians played a delicate tune that barely masked the tension beneath the splendor.
Elara stood near the back of the hall, her posture poised but her eyes scanning every corner for threats. Her gown, borrowed from a noblewoman sympathetic to their cause, was deceptively simple—a flowing emerald green dress that concealed the daggers strapped to her thighs. Beside her, Kaelan looked equally out of place in his tailored suit, his hand resting subtly on the hilt of a concealed blade.
Seraphine had already disappeared into the crowd, her role as the talisman's tracker requiring her to move independently. Elara felt her absence keenly, though she couldn't allow herself to dwell on it. The mission was all that mattered.
"Enjoying the festivities?" Kaelan whispered, his tone laced with sarcasm as his eyes scanned the room.
"Hardly," Elara replied, her voice equally low. "Stay sharp. This is the kind of crowd that smiles while stabbing you in the back."
Kaelan smirked but said nothing more.
---
The Wedding Unfolds
At the front of the hall, Lady Anessa stood stiffly in her ornate bridal gown, her face a mask of practiced composure. Even from a distance, Elara could see the fear in her eyes. She was little more than a pawn in the Crown's game, her fate sealed by forces beyond her control.
The groom, Prince Rydan, stood beside her, his expression smug as he basked in the adoration of the crowd. Elara's stomach turned. She couldn't shake the feeling that the talisman's influence was already at play, ensuring Lady Anessa's compliance.
As the ceremony began, Elara leaned closer to Kaelan. "We need to move soon. If Seraphine doesn't find the talisman before the vows, it might be too late to stop this."
Kaelan nodded, his jaw tightening. "We'll give her a few more minutes. If she doesn't signal, we'll have to improvise."
---
Moments of Vulnerability
As they waited, a nobleman approached them, his curious gaze lingering too long. "I don't believe we've been introduced," he said smoothly, his tone polite but probing. "Your faces are unfamiliar."
Elara froze for a moment, her mind racing. But Kaelan acted quickly, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.
"We're distant relatives of Lady Anessa," he said with a charming smile. "Here to support the bride on her special day."
The nobleman raised an eyebrow, his suspicion clear. "Is that so? And which branch of the family do you hail from?"
Kaelan's grip tightened slightly, and Elara realized they needed a distraction. Without thinking, she turned to him and pressed her lips to his in a kiss that left no room for questions.
The nobleman cleared his throat awkwardly and muttered something about leaving them to their "privacy" before retreating into the crowd.
When Kaelan pulled back, his eyes searched hers, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. "That was… unexpected," he murmured.
"Desperate times," Elara replied, her voice steady despite the flush in her cheeks. "Let's focus."
Unbeknownst to them, Seraphine had seen the entire exchange from a distance. Her heart clenched, a mixture of jealousy and confusion twisting in her chest. But she pushed the feelings aside. There was no time for distractions—not when the talisman's dark energy was so close she could almost feel it pulsing in the air.
---
The Heist Begins
The ceremony reached its midpoint, the priest reciting ancient vows as the crowd watched in reverent silence. Elara and Kaelan used the lull to slip out of the main hall, following the route Seraphine had described earlier.
They found her in a side corridor, crouched near a door that radiated an otherworldly aura. The talisman was inside; there was no doubt about it.
"It's heavily warded," Seraphine whispered, her voice tense. "I can dismantle the magic, but it'll take time."
"How much time?" Kaelan asked, his hand already on his sword.
"Too much," she admitted. "But we don't have another choice."
Elara glanced back toward the main hall, where the priest's voice echoed faintly. They were running out of time.
"Do it," she said. "Kaelan and I will keep watch."
---
The Talisman Secured
As Seraphine worked to break the wards, Elara and Kaelan stood guard, their weapons drawn and their senses on high alert. The tension was almost unbearable, each second stretching into an eternity.
Finally, with a soft crackle of energy, the wards fell. Seraphine pushed the door open, revealing a small chamber bathed in an eerie, pulsating light.
The talisman sat on a pedestal at the center of the room, its surface inscribed with ancient runes that seemed to writhe and shift as if alive. Seraphine hesitated, her hand hovering above it.
"Are you sure about this?" Kaelan asked, his voice low.
"We don't have a choice," she replied, her tone resolute.
She grasped the talisman, and a surge of dark energy rippled through the room. Seraphine cried out, her knees buckling as the artifact's power coursed through her.
Elara rushed to her side, grabbing her arm. "Seraphine! Let go!"
"I can't," Seraphine gasped, her voice strained. "It's… it's in my head."
Kaelan stepped forward, placing his hands over hers and pulling with all his strength. Together, they managed to wrest the talisman from her grasp, though its dark energy left them all shaken.
---
The Escape
With the talisman secured, the group fled the chamber, their movements swift and silent. But the artifact's power weighed heavily on them, its presence a constant reminder of the danger they faced.
As they reached the edge of the cathedral grounds, the sound of alarm bells echoed behind them. The theft had been discovered.
"Move!" Elara shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.
They raced through the city streets, their lungs burning and their hearts pounding. The talisman's energy seemed to pulse in time with their footsteps, a malevolent force that threatened to consume them.
Finally, they reached the safety of their hideout, collapsing onto the floor in exhaustion.
"We did it," Kaelan said, his voice breathless but triumphant.
"At what cost?" Seraphine murmured, her eyes fixed on the talisman.
Elara followed her gaze, a sense of unease settling over her. The artifact was theirs, but its dark energy was already sowing discord among them.
She didn't know how long they could hold out against its influence—or whether they would survive the ordeal at all.