Chapter 15: Fates Entwined

The tension in the Darkhaven castle only seemed to grow thicker with each passing day. The revelation of Aurora's attempted escape and her strained interaction with Zach had spread through the halls like wildfire, fueling whispers and speculation among the courtiers and guards.

In Zach's chambers, Celeste lounged on a chaise, watching her cousin pace back and forth.

"You can't keep her in that cell forever," she said, breaking the silence.

Zach shot her a glare. "I don't need your advice, Celeste."

"And yet, here I am giving it anyway," she replied with a mischievous grin. "Seriously, Zach. If she's your mate, locking her up and intimidating her won't get you anywhere. She'll hate you more than she already does."

"She already hates me," Zach muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Well, then stop proving her right," Celeste said, sitting up. "You're supposed to protect her, not terrify her."

Zach didn't respond, but her words clearly struck a nerve.

---

In the dungeon, Aurora leaned weakly against the cold stone wall, her red hair a tangled mess, her emerald-green eyes dull from exhaustion. She had no concept of time anymore. The endless darkness and cold had taken their toll, but her spirit remained unbroken.

When the cell door creaked open, she forced herself to sit up, her eyes narrowing as Zach stepped inside.

"What do you want now?" she asked, her voice raspy but defiant.

Zach ignored her tone, pulling a small vial from his coat and placing it

on the ground near her.

"Drink this," he said curtly, standing at a distance.

Aurora eyed the vial suspiciously. "What is it? Poison to finish me off?"

Zach's jaw tightened. "If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be alive to question me."

Aurora crossed her arms, her body visibly trembling from fatigue. "Then why don't you let me go? Keeping me here like some caged animal—"

"You attacked my guard and tried to escape," he interrupted, his voice low and dangerous. "You're alive because of my restraint, not because you deserve it."

Her green eyes blazed with anger. "Your restraint? You mean after your brother nearly killed me? Or after you threatened to—"

"That's enough," Zach snapped, his voice echoing in the small cell. He took a step closer, and for the first time, Aurora noticed the flicker of something behind his icy exterior—regret, or perhaps guilt.

She narrowed her eyes. "Why are you doing this? Why not just kill me like the others?"

He hesitated, the weight of her question hanging between them. "Because you're different."

Aurora scoffed. "Different? Is that what you tell yourself to justify all of this?"

Zach clenched his fists, leaning in close enough for her to feel the weight of his presence. "You think I don't know what you are? What your people have done to mine? You're not innocent in this war, hunter."

"And you think your kind are blameless?" she shot back. "You slaughter humans like livestock. You take everything, leaving nothing but destruction in your wake."

Their faces were inches apart now, the tension between them a palpable force. For a moment, neither spoke, their breathing heavy and synchronized.

"Drink the vial," Zach said finally, breaking the silence. "You won't survive much longer without it."

Reluctantly, Aurora took the vial, her fingers brushing his as she snatched it from the ground. The fleeting contact sent an unfamiliar jolt through her, one she quickly ignored.

---

Meanwhile, Leo had finally reached the outskirts of the Darkhaven territory. Disguising himself as a wandering merchant, he navigated the shadowy forest with care, his hunter instincts on high alert.

As he ventured deeper, he came across a group of witches gathered around a fire. Their eyes immediately snapped to him, their lips curling into sly smiles.

"Well, well," one of them purred, her voice dripping with honey. "What brings a lone traveler to these dangerous parts?"

"I'm just passing through," Leo replied smoothly, keeping his hand close to the dagger hidden beneath his cloak.

The witches exchanged knowing glances. "Passing through?" another repeated. "Or searching for something… or someone?"

Leo stiffened, their words hitting too close to the truth. "I mean no harm."

"Of course you don't," the first witch said, her smile widening. "But harm has a way of finding those who wander too far from safety."

Before he could react, the witches began chanting, their voices melding into an eerie harmony. Shadows rose from the ground, twisting and coiling toward him.

Leo's dagger was out in an instant, its silver blade gleaming in the moonlight. "I didn't come here to fight," he said, his voice steady, "but I will if I have to."

The witches laughed, their voices echoing ominously. "Brave little prince," one mocked. "Let's see how long your courage lasts."