The tension mounts

Chapter 7: The Tension Mounts

Evelina lay in bed, staring upwards at the carved patterns across the ceiling while her mind replayed the evening's events over and over: what Kaelen had said, warnings he'd issued, the light brush of his fingers against her skin, which had marked her in their wake, it seemed, and which a part of her so desperately wished to shake from her memory-to comply with his demand for her to keep her distance. Yet every fibre of her being was screaming otherwise-to be near him again.

She let out a deep sigh, tugging the covers closer around her. The soft dance of candlelight across her room cast shadows, but they were as nothing compared to the shadows in her heart. She had always known her life was meant for more than duty, that she was meant for something greater, something deeper. But never in her wildest imagination had she thought it would be through a demon that she would be dragged into a world she could hardly comprehend.

Her musings were disturbed by a slight knock at the door. Startled, Evelina sat up and, pushing the strands of hair out of her face, responded, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal one of her serving maids standing at its edge, a tray clutched between her hands. "Your Highness, His Majesty the King invites your grace into the dining hall to speak to him about weighty issues of utmost grave relevance.

Her father's name jerked Evelina out of the dreamworld in which she floated. The obligations that faced her every morning-her life belonged to duty, or at least the dictates of her family and betrothal, after all. She was a princess, next in line to reign over a country in threat of war. Yet there was now that unsettling new pull within her, tugging in another direction completely-the unsafe and enigmatic Kaelen.

"I'll be there shortly," Evelina replied softly, her voice betraying none of the turmoil inside her.

Her maid bowed and retreated from the room, leaving Evelina to her royal attire and to prepare for the audience with her father. She attempted to clear her mind and set to work, but every time she shut her eyes, she saw only the red eyes of Kaelen, burning with fire and defiance. His words were etched into her brain like a scar: "Stay away."

But she couldn't.

She pushed the thought aside, getting to her feet and walking towards her vanity. She adjusted the delicate crown resting on her head, the weight of it reminding her of the responsibilities she carried. She was betrothed to King Edward, ruler of a neighboring empire. Their marriage had been a product of arrangement since childhood-politics, alliances, stability. Never once had it been for love, and Evelina had accepted that, so she had always told herself.

But by now, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was indeed more out there, something real, waiting for her-something she was not sure she could turn away from, no matter the danger.

The dining hall was grand, as it normally was, with long wooden tables lined with fine china and crystal goblets. Her father, King Aldric, sat at the head of the table, his face strained while he perused the documents before him. He looked up as Evelina came in, softening his expression, though an edge of worry seemed to lace his eyes.

"Ah, Evelina," he said, motioning for her to sit beside him. "I am just glad that you came. Of great importance, the matters we are to discuss.

With her heart racing, Evelina sat. She had never heard a graver tone from her father. All of a sudden, the fragile peace between their kingdom and the rival empire was about to snap, and her marriage to King Edward was more crucial than ever.

"What is it, Father?" she asked, her voice firm, while a battle was running inside.

King Aldric set the papers down in front of him and stared piercingly. "The demons-those that have come to assist us-are far more dangerous than we had thought. And your betrothal to Edward, as much as it seems to be the right thing to do for the sake of the kingdom, may not be enough to protect us if the conflict escalates.

The demons were mentioned, and Evelina's breath caught, though she had tried to put that part of her life from her mind, to be the princess she was supposed to be, the pull of connection to Kaelen that seemed to grow larger with every passing moment refused to be suppressed.

"What do you mean?" she said, trying to sound composed. "How are the demons a threat?"

They are not here to aid us, Evelina," King Aldric said in his deep, stern voice. "Their purpose is linked with the future of this kingdom, and they are not as controllable as we had thought. Especially Kaelen-he has an agenda of his own.

At the mention of Kaelen's name, Evelina's heart quivered. Struggling to appear impassive, she felt her mind racing. She yearned to ask for an explanation-to know what he knew about her father-but kept quiet.

"I know you have spoken with him," her father went on, his eyes narrowing. "I can see it in your eyes. But I warn you, Evelina—keep away from him. Do not get involved in their politics and most definitely not with Kaelen. He is a force beyond everything that we understand, and your safety might be in jeopardy."

The words cut, but Evelina swallowed her emotions, nodding dutifully. "I understand, Father. But we must remember that the demons are here to protect us, to aid us in this war. We need them."

"I know," he returned sharply, his tone weighted with the weight of his years. "But be cautious. Do not let your emotions cloud your judgment.

She sat silent, his words hanging heavy in the air, like a warning. Her heart was torn, between her duty to her kingdom, her betrothal to Edward, and the undeniable pull she felt toward Kaelen. She knew her father had valid concerns; the world she lived in was dangerous, full of treachery and intrigue. It didn't change the way she felt.

As the meeting wore on, Evelina's mind kept gravitating back to Kaelen. She couldn't explain it; she couldn't rationalize it. She was drawn to him in ways that just didn't make any sense, and no matter how hard she tried to rebel against it, she knew it would only continue getting stronger.

But would she ever break through the walls he built around himself? Or would he always be the faraway, unreachable shadow of her life, a reminder of all that could never be?

 ---

Once again, his warning still ringing, echoed through Kaelen's words, resounded inside her brain: "Stay away." And, truth to say, every inch of her screamed not to steer away but draw near-to come to know him more closely, grasp, understand the very being in gray tones hiding behind his mask.

No, however hard he might try, pushing her further, his futile attempt wouldn't enable her to release him-not until now.