Chapter 14: Whispers of the Past

Cassia did not sleep that night.

Even as the Obsidian Fortress remained still, her thoughts churned endlessly. She could still feel the warmth of Lucius's skin beneath her fingertips, the weight of his gaze as she sang. And yet, woven between those thoughts was the memory of Prince Valerian, his silver eyes filled with childhood promises.

She sighed, staring at the ceiling.

I need to clear my head.

Slipping out of bed, she pulled on a shawl and quietly left her chambers. The halls were dimly lit by the soft glow of lanterns, casting long shadows against the cold stone walls. The night air was crisp, carrying the distant scent of the sea.

She wandered through the fortress, letting her feet guide her aimlessly, hoping the night would quiet her thoughts.

But then, she heard voices.

Cassia stilled, pressing herself against the cool stone of the hallway.

The voices were low and hushed, coming from beyond the archway leading to the fortress's eastern courtyard. Carefully, she peered around the corner.

Lucius stood there, his black cloak draped over his shoulders, the emblem of the Golden Concord barely visible in the dim light. Facing him was a hooded figure—their face obscured, their posture tense.

Cassia narrowed her eyes.

Who is he speaking to at this hour?

"—unusual for them to strike so close to Kadia," Lucius was saying, his voice calm but edged with something sharper.

The hooded figure shifted. "They've grown bold. If they were after the girl, you should be more cautious."

Cassia's breath hitched. Me?

Lucius exhaled. "I'm aware."

"You cannot be distracted," the figure warned. "Not by the girl. You know what's at stake."

Cassia's stomach twisted.

Lucius was silent for a long moment. Then, finally, he said, "I know."

The hooded figure nodded before stepping back into the shadows, vanishing as swiftly as they had come.

Cassia barely had time to process what she had just heard before Lucius turned in her direction.

Her heart leapt into her throat.

Before she could retreat, his voice cut through the night.

"You can come out now, Cassia."

Cassia hesitated, but there was no point in hiding anymore. Squaring her shoulders, she stepped into the courtyard.

Lucius regarded her with an unreadable expression, his golden eyes shadowed in the dim light. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough."

His gaze flickered, but he said nothing.

Cassia crossed her arms. "Who was that?"

Lucius exhaled through his nose, looking away briefly before returning his gaze to her. "No one you need to concern yourself with."

Frustration flared in her chest. "That's not for you to decide."

Lucius's jaw tightened. "Yes, it is."

Cassia took a step closer. "So, what? I'm a burden to you now? A distraction?"

His lips parted slightly, as if caught off guard. "That's not what I—"

"Then what, Lucius?" she demanded. "Ever since we arrived in Kadia, it's been nothing but secrets. I find out you're the Guild Master of the most powerful merchant guild in Omora, I find out you knew about my life long before I even met you, and now this? Someone is after me, and you're keeping it from me?"

Lucius ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "It's complicated."

"Then make me understand," she shot back.

For a moment, they stood there—staring at each other, the air between them charged with tension.

Then, softly, Lucius spoke.

"There are forces moving in the shadows, Cassia. Forces that would see the balance of Omora undone. And you…" He hesitated, then shook his head. "You're caught in the middle of it, whether you realize it or not."

Cassia swallowed. "And you? Where do you stand in all of this?"

Lucius held her gaze, his golden eyes intense. "I stand wherever I must to keep you safe."

Her breath hitched.

He was too close now, the warmth of his presence nearly overwhelming. She could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers twitched at his sides as if resisting the urge to reach for her.

Cassia's chest tightened.

Why does he have this effect on me?

Lucius exhaled slowly. "You should go back to bed."

Cassia clenched her fists. "You can't just push me away like this."

A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face. "I have to."

And before she could say another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the fortress.

Cassia stood there for a long time, the weight of his words settling over her.

She should be angry. She was angry. But beneath that frustration, something deeper stirred—a realization she wasn't ready to face.

With a shaky breath, she wrapped her arms around herself and turned back toward her chambers.

But as she walked, a single thought refused to leave her mind.

Why does it feel like Lucius is protecting me from more than just danger?

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