HAUNTED LIBRARY

Alara was back in the library. The air was thick, heavy, and cold. The books loomed taller than before, the shelves etched with symbols that glowed faintly, pulsing like a heartbeat. Her steps echoed on the stone floor, the sound swallowed by an eerie, hushed silence. 

Then, the whispers began again. Like before. Breathless, urgent, and sinister, they pain her ears, their words barely understandable yet filled with venom. 

She turned sharply at a voice, but the bookshelves seemed to shift around her, trapping her in the middle. Her pulse quickened as she reached out to steady herself. But then she felt it, cold skeletal hands closing around her neck. 

Alara's breath caught, her chest heaving as she clawed at the invisible grip tightening around her throat. The whispers grew louder, more frantic, until they were a mix of dreadful voices. 

The library blurred around her, darkness seeping into the edges of her vision. 

And then she woke up with a gasp. 

Her eyes flew open, her body drenched in sweat as she bolted upright in bed. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her fingers instinctively clutching at her neck to make sure the hands weren't still there. 

The soft glow of the room greeted her, warm and golden, entirely different from the haunting dream she had just escaped. 

It took her a moment to ground herself, to remember where she was. This wasn't the library. She was in Kael's chamber. The thick, plush bedding beneath her was proof of that, along with the faint scent of leather and cedarwood that seemed to cling to the room. 

Her gaze shifted, and her breath caught again. Across the room, Kael lay on a separate bed, his figure bathed in the pale light of the enchanted lanterns lining the walls. His face was calm, almost serene, his sharp features softened in sleep. 

Alara swallowed hard, brushing her damp hair away from her face as she tried to steady her breathing. The dream had felt so real—too real. She couldn't shake the sensation of those cold hands or the suffocating darkness of that cursed library. 

She pulled her knees to her chest, glancing once more at Kael's sleeping form. For all his sharp words and cold demeanor, he looked almost human at this moment, almost… vulnerable. She shivered and settled back into the bed, her eyes still fixed on him. 

When she ran away from that library shaking with terror, she was aiming for Kael. For some reason she felt like only Kael could protect her at that moment. Maybe it's because Kael is her husband now, maybe it's their bond that was made in front of the magical Fae Goddess's statue made her feel like she will be always protected in Kael's presence. 

When she had got back in the chamber, Kael laughed at her frightened form and invited her inside, telling her that that's what happens to the people who misbehave in this castle. 

This castle was more than anything Alara had expected. Secrets and mysteries lingering in each wall of it. 

***

The morning light filtered through the tall, arched windows of the dining hall, casting a golden glow on the polished stone floor. The air was warm, filled with the faint aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and spiced tea. 

Alara sat stiffly at the long table, still not used to the grandeur of it all—the gleaming silver platters, the servants quietly moving about, the suffocating silence that surrounded Kael. 

Kael, seated at the head of the table, was flipping through a document while eating with measured precision. His presence was commanding even in the quietest of moments, and Alara found herself sneaking glances at him, though she'd never admit it. 

Her focus shifted as the heavy doors at the far end of the hall creaked open. A man strode in, tall and confident, his golden-brown hair catching the sunlight as he moved. His features were striking—high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and a pair of piercing green eyes that seemed to dance with mischief. He was dressed in fine clothing, it was less severe than Kael's dark attire. 

"Good morning, cousin!" The man greeted with a wide grin, his voice warm and casual, very different from Kael's usual cold tone. His gaze slid to Alara, and his smile widened. "And who is this vision of loveliness?" 

Kael's jaw tightened. He placed the document down, before turning his sharp gaze to the newcomer. "Caspian, this is Alara. My wife." The word was emphasized, as though marking territory. 

Caspian's brows lifted in surprise, though his grin remained intact. He stepped closer, his movements as smooth as silk. "Your wife? My, my, Kael, you've outdone yourself." He turned to Alara and bowed slightly, his green eyes sparkling as he looked up at her. "Lady Alara, it is an honor to meet you. I must say, the stories don't do justice to your beauty." 

Alara blinked, caught off guard by his charm. "Uh, thank you," she replied, her voice hesitant but polite. 

Kael's fork scraped against his plate, the sound sharp and grating. Caspian glanced at him, clearly enjoying the tension he was stirring. 

"I suppose you're done with your tour, Caspian," Kael said flatly, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. 

"Oh, I did, Kael, but how I wish I was here to witness your marriage!" Caspian said with a pout.

Caspian turned his attention back to Alara, ignoring the weight of Kael's glare. "I hope my cousin isn't being too dreadful. He has a habit of forgetting his manners." 

Alara bit back a small smile, glancing at Kael, who looked like he was about to snap the silver goblet in his hand into two. "He's… fine," she said carefully, feeling the tension thickening in the room. 

Caspian leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "If you ever need someone to show you around the castle—or perhaps the kingdom—I'd be more than happy to oblige." 

"That's enough," Kael said, his voice low and dangerous. The words cut through the room like a blade, silencing any further jest. 

Caspian straightened, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. No need to growl, cousin." He smirked, casting one last lingering glance at Alara before stepping back. "I'll take my leave for now. But Lady Alara, do keep me in mind. It's always good to have a friend around here." 

With that, he strode up to his chamber.

Kael picked up his goblet, his knuckles white as he gripped it. "Stay away from him," he said suddenly, his voice sharp but quiet. 

Alara frowned, taken aback by the sudden command. "Why? He seems… nice." 

Kael's eyes met hers, and for a moment, the cold mask he always wore cracked, revealing something darker beneath. "Caspian is many things, but nice isn't one of them. Trust me." 

Before she could press further, he rose from his chair, leaving the table without another word. Alara sat there, her thoughts swirling, unsure whether to listen to Kael's warning or to question what he wasn't telling her