Page 12 of A Heart Disguised 1

But as we approached Argentum Keep, any sense of wonder was quickly replaced by awe—and fear. Starling’s feathers ruffled, sensing my unease, and Russet let out a low whine. The castle stood proudly atop its hill, its white stone walls gleaming in the sunlight as if woven from moonbeams themselves, while tall spires stretched toward heaven’s embrace. It was magnificent—and terrifying—for it represented not only the end of my journey but also the beginning of an uncertain chapter as bride to a demon lord whose very name whispered like a curse through Aethoria.

As we drew closer, the enormity of the structure took my breath away. Starling nestled closer to my neck, her warmth asmall comfort against the chill of apprehension, while Russet pressed his warm body against my legs, offering silent support. The castle was both beautiful and foreboding, its grandeur unlike anything I had ever seen before. My heart raced as we passed through the gates, the reality of my situation settling upon me.

The carriage came to a halt in the courtyard, the sound of the horses’ hooves echoing off the stone walls. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. The door of the carriage swung open, and Sir Calibor extended his hand to me.

“We have arrived, Lady Robin,” he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate with the very stones of the castle.

I placed my hand in his, the contact sending a jolt through me. As I stepped down from the carriage, my eyes were drawn upward to the towering spires of Argentum Keep. This was to be my new home—a place of beauty and terror, where my destiny awaited me, entwined with that of the enigmatic Duke of Lunaria.

The massive front door of Argentum Keep loomed before me like the gaping maw of some great beast, and with every step I took, guided by Sir Calibor’s firm hand, I had the distinct feeling I was being swallowed whole. My heart thrummed against my rib cage. Starling, sensing my distress, nuzzled against my cheek, while Russet pressed close to my side, a low, protective growl rumbling in his chest. The door swung open with a groan that seemed to echo my inner turmoil.

A sea of faces greeted me upon entering—handsome, rugged, and every one of them male. Both humans and demons stood in crisp uniforms, their eyes following my every move with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Starling puffed up her feathers, as if trying to make herself look bigger in the face of so many strangers. Russet’s hackles raised slightly, his ears alertand swiveling to catch every noise. The foyer was a grand open space that seemed to swallow all sound, save for the soft rustle of clothing, the click of Russet’s claws on the polished floor, and distant murmur of activity. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and beneath my slippered feet, a mosaic of such intricacy that I nearly stumbled in awe.

The interior was a marvel—a grand foyer that vaulted skyward, with arches so high they could cradle the clouds. The walls thrummed with the bustle of servants, an army of men darting about with the precision of a well-oiled clockwork. I couldn’t help but note their muscular builds, the way their clothes strained against sinew and flesh. Starling’s gaze darted about, taking in every detail, while Russet’s nose twitched, no doubt cataloging the myriad of new scents in this unfamiliar place.

I caught whispers and furtive glances as we passed. The absence of a single female servant filled me with dread. The rumors, it seemed, were true—every young woman who could flee had done so, leaving behind a castle devoid of feminine grace. My mind reeled with the implications. Just how insatiable was the Duke of Lunaria? How terrifying a presence must he cast to empty a castle of its women?

As Sir Calibor escorted me toward the great hall, a familiar movement caught my eye—Russet, whimpering softly as Meredith and Bernard held him back. His eyes met mine, filled with concern. A lump formed in my throat; I was to face this throng of demons alone. Starling, sensing the impending separation, let out a mournful chirp.

“I’m sorry, little one,” I whispered, gently lifting Starling from my shoulder. “You must stay with Meredith and the others.”

With a heavy heart, I passed Starling to Meredith, who cradled the bird gently. Starling’s eyes locked with mine, filledwith what seemed like understanding and concern. As the doors to the great hall loomed before me, I cast one last glance at my companions—Meredith, Bernard, Russet, and Starling—before stepping forward to meet my fate. My heart, already a frantic drumbeat in my chest, threatened to burst from my rib cage as I faced the unknown alone.

The great doors to the hall loomed ahead, and as the footmen pulled them open, I teetered on the brink of flight.Run,a voice in my head screamed.Run now, while you still can!But Sir Calibor’s hand was firm at the small of my back, propelling me forward as he announced my arrival in a voice that boomed like thunder.

“Lady Robin Aldercrest, His Grace’s bride,” he declared.

My entrance was anything but graceful; I stumbled over the hem of my gown as if it conspired against me, nearly sending me sprawling before this assembly of demons. My palms hit the cold floor, jarring me back to reality.

Looking up from my unceremonious position, I beheld them. Each one was more imposing than the last, their appearances a terrifying blend of power and otherworldly beauty. One demon’s crimson skin gleamed like fresh blood, while another’s emerald scales shimmered in the light. A third stood tall and lean, his midnight-blue skin adorned with silver markings that seemed to move of their own accord. Yet another exuded a wild ferocity that made me want to cower, while the last appeared as if carved from living ice, frost patterns adorning his pale-blue skin.

Their eyes bored into mine—some gleaming with detached amusement at my predicament. These demons were colossal—towering well over six feet tall—making even my father and half brothers seem diminutive in comparison. I had to crane my neck almost painfully to meet their gazes, feeling like a mouse among lions.

I spun slowly on my heel, my gaze darting from one demon to the next, searching for the duke among them. Their silence was unnerving, their stares an unsettling mix of curiosity and amusement. My pulse raced, a wild rhythm that threatened to consume me. If these were the duke’s lieutenants, what manner of creature was their lord?

In a moment of sheer panic, I blurted out, “Which one of you isn’t going to eat me?” The words escaped before I could stop them, hanging in the air like a bad jest. A ripple of laughter—or was it growling?—passed through the assembled demons. My face burned with embarrassment, and I wished fervently that the polished floor would open up and swallow me whole. I stood there, trembling like a leaf in a storm, awaiting the arrival of the Duke of Lunaria and wondering if I’d survive this encounter with my dignity—or my sanity—intact.

The echo of my blunder throbbed in my ears, each pulse a searing indictment of my unrivaled talent for making a fool of myself. As if the grandeur of Argentum Keep wasn’t intimidating enough, I had to go and add fuel to the fire with my tongue. But before I could even contemplate an escape into the merciful shadows, a presence materialized behind me—subtle as a whisper yet commanding as a storm.

Spinning around with the grace of a startled fawn, my heart catapulted into a gallop. There he was, the Duke of Lunaria, an imposing figure cloaked in darkness and power. The air seemed to shift around him, the atmosphere crackling with his silent authority.

He towered over me like a mountain over a valley. My neck strained as I tilted my head back to meet his gaze, feeling like I was attempting to count the stars in the night sky. The Duke of Lunaria stood before me in all his terrifying glory. He was colossal, a veritable giant whose imposing stature seemed to shrink even the vast expanse of the great hall. His shoulderswere broad enough to eclipse the sun, his form rippling with muscle and restrained power.

The duke’s gaze bored into mine with an intensity that left me breathless, his sleek black hair cascading over his shoulders like a waterfall of midnight, framing a face that was both terrifyingly handsome and coldly aloof. His features were chiseled from stone, with piercing molten gold eyes that seemed to strip away my carefully constructed facade with a single glance.

Crowning his imposing figure were his horns—a sight that stole what little breath I had left. They were magnificent, curving slightly back from his forehead in a majestic arc that spoke of power and regality. The horns gleamed like polished obsidian, their sharp tips catching the light and creating an ethereal halo around his head. They were the crown of a demon lord, both beautiful and terrifying in their perfection, completing the awe-inspiring image of the Duke of Lunaria.

“You must be Lady Robin Aldercrest, my bride,” he said, the faintest hint of amusement playing at the corners of his lips. His voice was a deep, melodic rumble that seemed to resonate within the very marrow of my bones.

I managed a nod, my breath hitching as I curtsied with as much grace as my trembling limbs could muster. It was a motion I’d learned from books rather than practice, and it showed.

“Your Grace,” I squeaked out, my voice betraying my fear. “I am Robin Aldercrest, at your service.” My words were a jumble of practiced etiquette and raw terror.

The duke’s gaze roamed over me, a silent predator assessing its prey. His eyes traveled from the top of my head to the hem of my gown, taking in every detail. It was a look that made my blood run both hot and cold, turning my insides to jelly and my thoughts to mush.

Then, to my bewilderment, his molten gold eyes lingered on my exposed chest. A strange heat bloomed beneath my skin, spreading like wildfire through my veins. Before I could process this unfamiliar sensation, his gaze flicked up, locking with mine.

The intensity of his stare pinned me in place, stealing the breath from my lungs. Time seemed to slow, the world narrowing to just us two. I felt both thrilled and terrified, my heart racing for reasons I couldn’t comprehend. It was as if an invisible thread had been pulled taut between us, creating a tension I had never experienced before.

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