The Game Begins

Power is not given. It is taken. 

The words slithered through the air, an echo from the past—a lesson carved into the bones of those who ruled Tenebris Noctis. 

Kaizer lounged in his private chamber, a goblet of dark wine swirling lazily in his hand, though his mind was elsewhere. The girl; Redgold. His newest possession. 

A smirk ghosted his lips as he recalled the fire in her eyes when she lunged at him. Foolish, reckless, deliciously untamed. He had expected fear. Submission. Yet she had fought him with a defiance that only made him want to break her more. 

With a slow, deliberate motion, he took a sip, the sharp tang of the wine lingering on his tongue. 

A knock sounded at the door. 

"Enter," he commanded, his voice smooth but edged with warning. 

The massive doors swung open, and Aleron stepped inside—his most trusted warrior, a phantom in the king's deadly court. Clad in black, his presence was an aura of menace and danger. 

"You summoned me, my king." 

Kaizer leaned back, fingers tapping idly against the goblet. "The princess is more… resistant than I anticipated." Aleron's lips twitched, barely hiding his amusement. "Did you expect otherwise?" Kaizer's smirk deepened. "No. But I do enjoy the challenge." Aleron exhaled a quiet breath. "And what do you wish of me?" 

Kaizer's golden eyes gleamed. "Take her out of the tower." 

A flicker of surprise crossed Aleron's face. "The tower is the safest place for her." 

A slow chuckle. "I'm not worried about her safety." 

Aleron studied him carefully. "You want her to see the court." Kaizer's gaze turned sharp. "I want her to see what happens to those who defy me." 

Aleron inclined his head. "As you command." 

--- 

The chains weren't necessary. 

I could have told them that. But Aleron—Kaizer's right-hand man—didn't seem the type to listen. His grip was firm but not cruel as he led me through the stone corridors of the palace, my wrists bound in delicate silver restraints. Not enough to hurt, just enough to remind me that I wasn't free. 

The halls were alive with murmurs as we passed. Whispers of courtiers and warriors, servants and spies. I felt their eyes on me—curious, envious, predatory. 

I swallowed hard, refusing to let them see my fear. Aleron barely spared me a glance. "Keep up, princess." 

"I have a name." 

He hummed in mild amusement. "Yes. And soon, everyone in this court will know it." I frowned, my pulse quickening. "Where are you taking me?" 

"You'll see." 

We stepped through towering obsidian doors, and the sight before me stole the breath from my lungs. 

The Throne Hall of Tenebris Noctis. 

It was alive. 

Lavish chandeliers of enchanted fire bathed the hall in a golden glow, illuminating the black marble floors veined with crimson. The scent of spiced wine and burning incense curled in the air, thick and intoxicating. People were everywhere: nobles draped in silk, warriors adorned in gleaming black armor, sorcerers whispering incantations under their breath. This was the court of a king who ruled through fear and pleasure alike. 

And at the center of it all— 

King Kaizer. 

Lounging on his throne like a dark god, his tunic unbuttoned just enough to tease at the power beneath, golden eyes locked onto mine the moment I entered. 

Heat flushed through me. Not from fear. Something worse. Something I didn't want. 

Aleron led me forward, every step a betrayal of my pride. My chains clinked softly, a cruel melody against the din of conversation. 

The murmurs grew louder as I neared the throne. Kaizer's smirk was lazy and manipulative. "Do you like my kingdom, little one?" 

I lifted my chin. "I see a den of wolves playing pretense." 

His laughter was deep. "And yet, you stand among them." 

He gestured to Aleron, and without a word, the chains fell from my wrists. I barely had time to react before Kaizer's hand shot out, fingers curling under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. 

"Defy me all you like, Redgold," he murmured, his thumb brushing my lips. "But you belong to me now." I jerked away, my chest rising and falling too fast. "I will never belong to you." His smirk widened. "Then let's make a wager, shall we?" 

I frowned. "What?" 

Kaizer leaned back, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Survive one night in my court—unscathed—and I will grant you a single request." 

I hesitated. "Anything?" 

His eyes darkened. "Almost anything." 

The challenge was clear. And I was foolish enough to accept it. "I agree." 

A dangerous gleam entered his eyes. 

"Then let the game begin." 

--- 

Night fell over the palace. 

The game began. 

I was given no protection and no allies. Just my wits, my instincts, and the ever-watchful eyes of a court that thrived on deception. I wandered through the corridors, senses on high alert. Whispers trailed after me like shadows, hands brushing too close, gazes lingering too long. There was tension in the air. 

And then— 

A sharp cry echoed from the grand hall. 

My pulse jumped. I turned a corner— 

Then stopped when I saw a woman kneeling on the marble floor, her dress torn, and her face streaked with silent tears. A man stood before her, his grin sharp as a razor. 

I knew, without question, that she was about to suffer. And no one was stopping it. Rage surged through me. My hands curled into fists. 

"Let her go." 

The man turned. Blinked. Then laughed. "And who are you to command me?" My heart pounded. My mind screamed at me to run. Instead, I stepped forward. 

"The king's prisoner," I said, voice steady. "Which means I outrank you." 

The hall fell silent. The man's smirk faltered. 

Then— 

A deep chuckle from the shadows. 

Kaizer. 

He emerged from the darkness, his golden eyes gleaming with something unclear. 

"My, my," he mused. "You are bold, aren't you?" 

I swallowed hard. The woman was still trembling on the floor. Kaizer glanced at the man, his expression turning sharp. "Leave us." 

The man paled. Bowed. Vanished. 

The woman scurried away. Leaving me alone. 

With him. 

Kaizer prowled closer, his heat pressing into my space. "Tell me, little one," he murmured, fingers trailing up my arm, slow and deliberate. "Did you do that because you are kind?" 

His hand reached my throat. 

"Or because you wanted to test me?" 

I shuddered because I didn't know the answer. And the worst part? Neither did he. 

--- 

Kaizer smirked, his grip tightening just enough to make my breath hitch. "Careful, Redgold," he whispered. "Play with fire... and you might just burn."