Chapter 17 – “The Snake and the Storm”

The grand tea room of the Nightbloom estate shimmered with polished silverware and tension so sharp it could slice skin. Mireya sat perched like royalty, her smile sugary-sweet — and fake enough to rot teeth.

Aurelia, limping slightly from the fall, entered with Tessa behind her. Her eyes scanned the room, instantly locking on the girl she once thought might become her first friend.

But everything was different now.

And when Mireya's eyes met hers? There was no warmth. Only challenge.

"Oh, Ori," Mireya purred, standing to greet her. "I was so worried after your little fall. Silly horse, wasn't it?"

"Silly horse?"

Aurelia blinked once, twice — but her rage simmered quietly under her skin. She wouldn't give Mireya the satisfaction. Not yet.

"Thank you," she replied sweetly, "for the ride. I'll remember it."

Mireya's lips curled, the faintest crack in her composure.

"Oh, you always had such a dramatic flair. Are you sure you're feeling alright? After all, not everyone can handle… danger."

She leaned in, whispering like a devil in lace."Especially when men like him are watching."

Aurelia stiffened.

She knew. Somehow… Mireya knew about the devil duke's son.

And she was jealous. Furious.

"Was he beautiful?""Did he hold you the way I never could?""Tell me, Aurelia… Did you like it?"

But before Aurelia could answer—

SLAM.

The doors burst open.

Enter the Duke of Nightbloom — and he was seething.

His cloak billowed like smoke, eyes glowing with silent fury. Behind him followed Aero and Ren, shoulders tense, expressions unreadable.

"Mireya Vale," he said darkly, "we need to speak. Now."

Mireya's eyes widened. "Uncle Darius, I—"

"Do not call me that."

The room went silent. Even the wind outside seemed to stop to listen.

"You sent my daughter to her death," he growled, voice low and lethal. "You gave her an untamed beast and watched her fall."

"I didn't know—!"

He stepped forward, fast enough to make her stumble back.

"You thought you could hide your jealousy behind honeyed words and pretty dresses," he snarled. "But you forget what blood runs through my daughter's veins."

Mireya trembled. "She's just—"

"She is my heir. And you, girl, are lucky I haven't crushed your father's alliances over this."

Aurelia watched, stunned. This was not the quiet, cold Duke she'd grown used to. This was a monster in mourning, roaring for the daughter he nearly lost.

He turned to her, kneeling low to meet her eyes.

"You are never to trust her again, Ori."

Aurelia blinked. "Yes… Father."

He rose, cloak snapping behind him.

"To your chambers," he told her. "Now. Your leg needs healing, and your heart... needs protecting."

Later that night…

Aurelia lay in bed, heart still thudding from the day's chaos. Her brothers stood outside her door like twin wolves — unblinking, unyielding.

She turned to the fire crackling in the hearth…

And suddenly—

"Aura..."

A whisper. Smooth. Seductive. Otherworldly.

Her name. But not the one anyone in the estate used.

Her real name.

She gasped, sitting up.

"Who's there?"

No answer. Just wind.

But in the flames, a shape flickered.

A smile. Cold. Familiar.

Caelum Vire was calling.

END OF CHAPTER 17