WARNINGS AND BROTHERS

The flickering lanterns in Lucian's chamber bathed the stone walls in soft amber light. Velma sat across from him, legs tucked beneath her on the worn cushions. Lucian leaned against the table, his bandaged wrist resting gently on the surface. There was a silence between them, not uncomfortable but thoughtful.

But Velma couldn't ignore what she had seen earlier.

She tilted her head, a teasing smile curving on her lips. "So... Evelyn, huh?"

Lucian blinked. "What about her?"

"You know what I mean."

He raised a brow, but a faint blush colored his cheeks. "It's not like that."

Velma smirked. "She's sweet on you, you know. I saw the way she looked at you when she was tending to your wound."

Lucian shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "She's... persistent. And kind. But it's not what you think."

"Sure," Velma said, drawing out the word playfully. "You're just a cold-hearted warrior with no time for feelings."

He chuckled, but it was quiet, restrained. "Let's not make this about me."

She raised both hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. No more teasing."

He smiled briefly, then his face grew serious again. "Still… I need to talk to you."

He shifted on the bench, drawing slightly closer to her.

"You've stayed here too long, Velma," Lucian said quietly, his tone low with urgency. "I mean it."

She looked up, startled by the sudden seriousness.

"This place… it's not safe. Not for you. Not anymore."

Velma's brow furrowed. "You think they're catching on?"

He nodded. "Azarel is growing suspicious. And the Queen—she's hiding something. You being here is adding pressure from all sides. I've been working on something—a way to get you out of here. It's not done yet, but I'm close."

Her heart lifted at the news. "You can really get me out?"

Lucian nodded again. "I think I've found a crack between realms. A weak spot in the veil. But it needs precise magic, and timing. I'll need help, and I'll need to be careful."

Velma leaned back, letting the information settle. She should have been relieved.

But instead, she hesitated.

"I want to go," she said slowly. "Truly. But…"

"But?" Lucian asked.

She looked at the floor, her hands knotting together in her lap. "Something's holding me here. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's Daniel—Azarel. Maybe it's something else. But I feel like I'm meant to see this through."

Lucian frowned but didn't press.

The weight of silence hung in the room again, heavier this time. He studied her, trying to understand the turmoil behind her words. It wasn't just love that kept her tethered. It was fate. Or something close to it.

Just then, a firm knock came at the chamber door.

Lucian stood and opened it. A tall, broad-shouldered messenger stood there, cloaked in crimson.

"The king requires your presence in the throne room," the messenger said. "His brother has arrived."

Lucian's expression darkened. "Zamiel?"

The messenger nodded once. "Yes, my lord."

Lucian gave a tight nod, dismissing him with a wave. The messenger bowed and left.

Velma blinked. "Azarel has a brother?"

Lucian sighed, moving to fasten the clasp on his cloak.

"Yes. Zamiel. A royal pain in the neck. Spoiled. Nasty. Power-hungry. He does what he wants, and people let him because he has the king's blood in his veins. But make no mistake—he's cruel. One of the most dangerous beings in this realm. If he senses anything unusual about you, it could all fall apart."

Velma's stomach sank.

"He's a snake with a crown," Lucian added. "He's unpredictable, and always looking for something to exploit."

Lucian adjusted the collar of his coat and looked over his shoulder. "Stay in here. Lock the door. And don't go anywhere near the throne room."

Velma nodded.

Without another word, Lucian swept from the room.

Velma stood there for a long moment in silence, watching the door after it closed. The weight of her decision settled heavily on her chest. Maybe it really was time to leave. Maybe.

But the name Daniel still echoed in her mind. The look in Azarel's eyes when he heard it. The faint flicker of something lost.

She paced slowly, her heart torn. Something about this place—about this moment in time—wasn't letting her walk away.

There were still secrets left to uncover. And perhaps, one last piece of Daniel's soul left to awaken.