The beginning of the end

Chapter 14: The Beginning of the End

The castle walls, like cold stone, reverberated within the warning Kaelen had issued. They seemed to resound inside Evelina's head as she turned her back to him and continued walking away. His words cut, but she refused to give in. She would not give up. Rather, if anything, they inflamed the fire burning within her, making her even more resolute about unmasking the man behind the demon king.

As she strode down the corridor, the heavy atmosphere of the castle weighed in on her. The air was thick, charged with tension. Evelina could feel eyes on her, but she didn't care. Her thoughts were consumed by Kaelen, his raw, unfiltered anger, and the strange pull she felt toward him despite the danger.

She had anticipated his coldness, his pushing her away, but there was something in his eyes a moment ago-a spark of something near pain. It was fast, it was fleeting, but Evelina had caught it. There was more to him than this king of demons that ruled with fear.

Evelina was in the gardens of the royals; flowers of the brightest colors moved delicately with the breeze. She could feel the warmth of the sun on her skin, but her mind was far from at peace. King Lysander would be coming to seal their engagement soon. The thought of the man she had known since childhood twisted her stomach. He was nice enough, but there was no spark, no connection. She did not love him, not like this. Not like she did for Kaelen.

"Princess?

Evelina turned to see one of the castle's servants, a young woman with soft, brown eyes, approaching her cautiously. The woman's face was lined with worry.

"Is everything alright?" the servant asked, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening. "You look… troubled."

Evelina forced a smile, masking her turmoil. "I'm fine, thank you."

She nodded to the servant, though a look of concern etched on her face. "His Majesty, King Lysander, has requested your presence in the throne room. He's in eagerness to discuss the arrangements of the upcoming ceremony."

Evelina's stomach turned at the thought of her betrothal. "I will be there shortly," she said, though she had absolutely no intention of hurrying to meet Lysander. She needed space, time to clear her mind, to think.

As the servant left, Evelina moved across the garden lawn to the edge and looked out toward the horizon. Her mind started to wander once more to Kaelen. She had to admit it-she was drawn to him in a way that terrified her yet exhilarated her. But she couldn't comprehend it-why someone as dangerous, cold as he was, could draw such a deep, powerful feeling within her.

She shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts away. She couldn't afford to get distracted. She had a duty to her kingdom, to her family, to her people. But no matter how hard she tried to push Kaelen out of her mind, he always found his way back in.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling her name.

"Princess?

She turned to see Lina hastening toward her; the young woman's face looked flushed, as if she were running for a reason. Besides, there was that urgency in her voice.

"Lina, what's wrong?" Evelina asked in growing concern.

"I just received some distressing news," Lina said as she glanced about nervously. "It concerns Kaelen."

Her heart skipped a beat at the name of this man. "What about him?

"There's talk among the others," Lina continued, lowering her voice. "They are saying Kaelen is getting ready for something… something that would change everything. He's amassing power and gathering an army. No one knows what it is that he prepares for, but… they're all worried.

She sank her stomach on hearing the news. Kaelen's intentions had always been obscure, but to think that he was gathering an army—to think he was preparing for something that would destroy everything-was sending shivers through her.

"But why?" Evelina asked, her voice quivering. "What could he possibly want with all that power?

Lina shook her head. "No one knows, Princess. But I've heard whispers of something worse. They say he's not just building his forces… he's been searching for something. Something that could change the fate of this world."

Evelina's mind raced, her thoughts scattering in all directions. She had to know what Kaelen was up to, had to understand his true intentions. But she couldn't do it alone. She needed help.

"Thank you, Lina," Evelina said, her voice steady despite the panic brewing inside her. "I'll find out more. You should return to your duties now."

Lina nodded and scurried off, leaving Evelina alone in the garden once again. Her heart hammered in her chest as she processed the new information. What was Kaelen planning? Why was he suddenly preparing for war?

She couldn't ignore it. Not anymore.

Just as she had turned her back on it, ready to hike back into the grounds, a loud snap in the bush broke through the silence and ended with a growl, so low she shivered all down her spine.

Evelina spun about to face this as her heart jumped. Shadows around her deepened, and just before she reacted to it, out stepped the darkness.

Him.

Kaelen.

He stood over her, his crimson eyes glinting in the fading light, his presence overwhelming. He was even more intimidating up close, his gaze cold, unreadable. Yet there was something in the way he looked at her-something that took her breath away.

"You shouldn't be here," he said, his voice rough, as though he had been waiting for this moment.

Evelina opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She was too stunned, too caught up in the sight of him standing there, so close, yet still so far away.

"I told you to stay away," Kaelen said again, his voice laced with warning.

But Evelina refused to back down. She wasn't afraid of him. Not anymore.

"I won't," she said, her voice barely shaking. "I won't stay away from you, Kaelen. I need to know the truth. I need to know what you're planning."

Kaelen's eyes softened, just for a moment, but it was enough to send a surge of hope through her chest.

He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "You don't understand what you're getting yourself into, Princess."

"I know more than you think," she whispered, her heart racing. "I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, as if in slow motion, Kaelen reached out, his fingers grazing her cheek lightly. Evelina's breath caught in her throat, her pulse quickening. The world seemed to fade away, and the passing of time itself was foiled for a moment.

But then, just as quickly as it had begun, Kaelen stepped back, his expression hardening.

"You don't know what you're asking, Princess," he said coldly, his voice back to its usual ice-cold edge.

Evelina's heart shattered at the sight of him pulling away, but she refused to let him push her away. She had come this far—she wouldn't stop now.

Then show me, she said quietly. Show me the man hiding behind this demon king.