Page 40 of King of Flames and Shadows

I can’t bear to be near him. Not now.

My feet carry me faster through the castle halls, my steps echoing in the silence as I move blindly, wanting only to put as much distance as I can between myself and that courtyard, from him. But every shadow I pass seems to twist, lengthening as if watching me, warping with the strange, oppressive energy that’s been gathering in this castle for weeks. The torches flicker, casting long shadows that seem to follow me, flickering hungrily along the walls.

I need to get away. To breathe.

As I round a corner, the air itself feels denser, pressing in on me as if the stone walls were closing in. I pick up my pace, casting glances over my shoulder. Somehow, I feel his presencedrawing closer, as though his very thoughts are reaching for me, keeping me captive even in my mind. My skin prickles with that sense of his approach, a ripple of instinctual fear. I clench my hands into fists, forcing myself to stay steady, to resist the urge to scream. I don’t belong to him.

Distantly, I hear him call my name. He’s in pursuit.

My resolve, my very heart itself, is splintering beneath the memory of his voice, the memory of those words.

And somewhere in the depths of me, beneath my anger and fear, there’s something else. Something I won’t name—something Ican’tname.

It itches at me nonetheless, demanding to be heard.

I don’t realize I’m heading toward my quarters until I round the final corner, feeling a strange, trembling relief. I can shut him out. I can—

But I stop short, frozen, as my quarters come into view.

A fierce, unnatural fire has burst from the hearth, filling the room with a furious heat. Fire so hot it’s almost blue. The whiteish flames lick across the walls, consuming the curtains, leaping to the ceiling, hungry for more. The air is thick with smoke, choking, and an overwhelming heat rolls over me in waves.

My eyes burn. I stumble backward, the roar of the fire drowning out the sound of my heartbeat, my own frantic breathing.

"What … what is happening?” I whisper, horror spilling through me. Smoke enters my nose, my mouth. I cough, squinting, half-blind as my eyes begin to water.

But the air shifts once more, and I feel him again. My pulse spikes, my throat going tight as I turn to see Arvorenstriding toward me down the hall, his silhouette cutting through the dark, smoke-heavy space like a storm made flesh.

His eyes blaze with a fury colder than ice as they take in the flames spreading through my quarters. The anger is there, yes, but beneath it is something darker, something almost … betrayed.

I realize how this must look. Me, dress askew, standing silhouetted against the flames, staring him down. I look like the arsonist he must believe me now.

“What have you done?”

His voice is low, a dangerous undertone vibrating through each word.

“I didn’t—” I start, taking a step back, caught between him and the flames, but his gaze sharpens, his features hard and unyielding, cutting off my words. He doesn’t believe me.

“Setting fire to your quarters?” He steps closer, towering over me, his anger wrapping around me like a physical force. “So, you’re determined to challenge me at every turn, no matter the consequences. Very well.” His eyes glitter, unyielding. “If you’re so insistent on making your presence felt here, let me show you exactly what that entails. If you refuse your chambers, from now on, you shall sleep in mine.”

The realization hits me like a punch to the stomach. I feel sick. I feel hot all over, like I’m the one who’s been set ablaze.

“I’d rather die,” I say, my voice low and unsteady.

“Perhaps you’d prefer the dungeons instead?” he sneers. He snags my arm in his large hand, squeezing tight enough to hurt where just moments ago, he was on the verge of tearing one of his men apart for laying a finger on me. He changes like the wind when he’s like this. “Or … shall we seal this matter here andnow? We can make this binding—binding enough that no one will dare question your place again.” His fingers dig into my arm. “We’re getting married, Calliope. No longer will I tolerate your disrespect.”

“No—” The word tears from me, and I jerk my arm free, taking a step back, the air thick and stifling around us. “You can’t force me into this!”

He chuckles darkly, stepping forward, cornering me. There’s a possessive hunger in his eyes that steals the breath from my lungs. “You think you have a choice?”

I turn to flee, my feet carrying me down the hall—I’d gladly throw myself to the flames—but he’s there in an instant, his grip iron as he pulls me back against him. I struggle, my heart a panicked drum in my chest, but he holds me tight, his strength immovable. I kick, thrash, desperate for freedom, but it’s no use. He’s stronger, relentless.

“Enough,” he growls, his breath hot against my ear. “You’ll come with me. Now.”

His grip tightens around me, and before I can react, he’s lifting me, carrying me down the hall. I struggle against him, but he doesn’t relent. He holds me firm, his strides steady and unwavering, dragging me down the spiraling staircase which leads to the main body of the castle. Gods know where he’s taking me. To the underchamber, to claim me before his court? To humiliate me once more?

“Put me down!” I shout, my voice hoarse. But he ignores me, his jaw set, his gaze unyielding.

The air grows colder as we descend toward the south of the castle, a chill that seeps into my bones, and I feel my resistance waning under the weight of his hold, of his fierce determination. Finally, we reach a heavy, ancient door at the topof a staircase, and he pauses, gesturing to a maidservant down a narrow passageway nearby.

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