Page 43 of The Princess and the Demon

“Hello?” I manage to say, the words coming out quiet and squeaky.

I hear my name again and curse myself as I hold the sconce out in front of me.

“Oh god, here we go.” I whisper as I begin down the dark corridor. The darkness is off putting, and I feel disoriented as I continue.

Spiderwebs hang from the stone ceiling and archways. I lift my skirt in one hand, picking up the pace. Another whisper coaxes me onwards.

Slowly the corridor begins to take on an otherworldly glow. It’s barely noticeable at first, but as I walk the glow gets brighter.

The light is warm, and welcoming, and I can’t help but be drawn towards the source.

The corridor rounds off to the left, and as I turn the corner I stop, gasping.

Ahead of me sits a giant, gilded golden door.

My heart thuds in my chest steadily as the door comes to life. Golden roses bloom and vines swirl and creep along the surface. I watch as the blooms appear, and then close before disappearing altogether.

A sigh escaped my lips as I take it in. It’s so incredibly beautiful, and I don’t even realize I’m moving closer to it until the air around me begins to feel charged.

The space between me and the door begins to hum, and I reach a hand out towards a bloom that seems to be reaching for me…beckoning.

Time seems to stop, and then all the air leaves my lungs as I am shoved backwards suddenly. My back contacts the stone wall of the corridor, and I let out a whoosh of air.

I blink, finally able to clear my head, only to realize that Amon is holding me in place.

Looking down at the hand planted in the center of my chest, I glance up to see Amon’s black eyes boring into mine.

His breath is ragged, and his brow is furrowed with worry.

I shake my head, attempting to clear the lingering fuzzy sensation.

“I told you this area was forbidden to you.” Amon growls.

He doesn’t move to release me.

I turn to look at the door again, feeling the magnetic pull.

“I’m sorry…I-I didn’t even realize…” My voice trails off as I try to push against Amon’s hand.

The door calls to me, and I can hear whispers of my name coming from the other side.

Impossible.

The corridor spins around me as I’m swooped up into Amon’s arms. The sconce in my hand clatters to the ground.

Turning away from the door, he strides down the corridor, away from it.

The further we get, the more my head seems to clear.

Once we reach the entrance of the corridor Amon sets me on my feet.

He reaches out, steadying me, and I smooth my skirts, looking up at him sheepishly.

“I’m so sorry, Amon.” I whisper looking back towards the dark corridor.

Silence spans between us, and I risk looking up at him. His black eyes bore into mine, but his features have calmed somewhat.

“What was that?” I ask.

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