CHAPTER 6: THE CURSE AWAKENS

The night air was biting as Princess Evelynn traversed the labyrinthine corridors of the Dragon Lord's castle. Each stone beneath her feet seemed to hum with ancient energy, resonating with the pulse of the curse that bound King Darius to the dragons. The distant howls of the wind outside were muffled by the thick walls, but the oppressive silence within was palpable, pressing against her chest with every step.

Her fingers brushed against the cold, damp stone as she approached the massive, ornate door at the end of the hall. The intricate carvings on the door depicted dragons in flight, their scales shimmering even in the dim light. Taking a steadying breath, Evelynn pushed the door open, the heavy wood groaning in protest.

The room beyond was dimly lit, the flickering flames of a grand fireplace casting long, dancing shadows across the stone walls. The scent of rich incense—jasmine intertwined with something darker, more enigmatic—lingered in the air, mingling with the faint, earthy aroma of aged wood. The hearth crackled, sending occasional sparks into the air, adding to the room's mystique.

King Darius stood by the fire, his tall, imposing figure silhouetted against the dancing flames. His dark cloak billowed around him like a storm, and his crimson eyes flickered as they caught sight of her entrance. His gaze was intense, unblinking, sending a shiver down her spine. Despite the distance between them, she could feel the pull of his presence—the force of the curse that bound them both.

"Evelynn," he said, his voice deep and raw, like the rumble of thunder on a stormy night. "Come here."

Her breath hitched, but she refused to let him see her unease. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and moved toward him, each step deliberate, though her heart raced in her chest.

As she reached the fire, the heat radiated from the flames, but it was nothing compared to the warmth that seemed to emanate from Darius himself. She stood before him, looking up into his face, her heart pounding.

He did not speak immediately, his gaze lingering on her with an unreadable expression. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Then, without warning, he reached out, his long fingers brushing against her cheek in a touch that was both tender and possessive.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice low and almost hypnotic.

Evelynn flinched but held her ground. "I'm not here to be admired," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "I'm here because I have no choice."

Darius's lips curled into a small, dark smile. "Choice is an illusion, little bride," he said softly. "You're mine now. The curse has chosen you. Whether you like it or not."

Her stomach twisted at his words. The curse. The very reason she stood here, in this foreign land, facing a destiny she had never chosen.

"Why me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why did the curse choose me?"

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "You are a sacrifice," he said, his voice carrying a weight that seemed to make the air itself grow heavier. "The prophecy is clear. If I love you, the world will burn. But if I do not love you, the curse will consume me. There is no escaping it. There never was."

Evelynn felt a cold shiver crawl up her spine as his words sank in. The prophecy. The very thing that had led her here. The thing that would either destroy them both or save them. She wasn't sure which terrified her more—the idea of burning the world to ashes, or the thought of losing herself to the man before her.

"You're cursed," she said quietly, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and curiosity. "And you believe that by marrying me, you will somehow be free of it?"

Darius let out a low, bitter laugh. "I don't believe in freedom, Evelynn. Not anymore." He moved even closer, his face inches from hers. "I've lived with this curse for centuries. It has taken everything from me. And now, it will take you too."

Her heart clenched at the finality in his voice, but she forced herself to stand tall. "I won't be your victim," she said firmly. "I won't let this curse destroy me, or anyone else."

Darius's eyes flared with a dangerous intensity. "You will never have a choice in the matter," he said, his voice low and threatening. "When the curse awakens, it will consume everything. And you will be the one to either save me... or watch me burn."

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. "How can I save you? How can anyone save you from this?"

The dragon king stepped back, his expression hardening. "That is something only you can figure out, Evelynn. You are the key to breaking the curse—or unleashing it upon the world."

His words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Evelynn stood there, frozen, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of what he had just said. Could she truly save him? Could she find a way to break the curse that had bound him for so long?

Darius watched her, his eyes never leaving hers. "You will have to choose, Evelynn," he said softly. "But you must know this—the moment you choose, the curse will awaken, and there will be no turning back."

She could feel her pulse pounding in her ears, the weight of his words pressing down on her. Could she really break the curse? Or would she be the one to destroy him—and the world along with it?

The room seemed to close in on her, the heat of the fire mingling with the heat of the tension between them. She could feel the dragon lord's power—raw, untamed, and dangerous—surging beneath his skin, just waiting to break free.

With a shaky breath, Evelynn took a step forward, her heart pounding. "I will not let you burn the world," she said, her voice stronger now. "But I won't let you destroy me either."

Darius's gaze softened just a fraction, his lips curving into a faint smile. "We shall see, my bride. We shall see."

He reached out, his fingers brushing against her hand, and this time, the touch was a promise—a warning.

The curse had begun.

And Evelynn had no choice but to face it.