Page 415 of Evil Hearts

When he opened his eyes, her face was mere inches from his, her gaze filled with a longing that mirrored his own. But before either of them could close the distance, he pulled away, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Elara… I can’t,” he said, his voice strained, every word costing him more than he cared to admit. “This isn’t… safe.”

Her expression faltered, disappointment flickering across her features. But she quickly masked it, nodding as she stepped back, giving him the space he desperately needed.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to keep working on it,” she said softly, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. Despite the hurt in her eyes, there was a spark of determination there, one that sent a thrill of both fear and excitement through him.

Brian watched her walk back toward the heart of the festival, her silhouette bathed in the glow of lanterns, and he felt an ache in his chest that he couldn’t quite explain. He knew he shouldkeep his distance, for both their sakes, but he also knew that staying away would be the hardest battle he’d ever fought.

As the evening wound down and the festivities came to an end, he found himself glancing in her direction more than once, feeling a pull that was as undeniable as it was dangerous.

Chapter 5

The dark heartof the forest pulsed with the magic of ancient spells and hidden shadows as Brian made his way to Queen Clary’s dwelling. Moonlight filtered through the thick canopy of branches above, casting shifting, eerie patterns on the ground as he walked, each step a reminder of his duty and the tangled feelings he could no longer ignore.

Clary’s lair lay within the roots of the oldest tree in the forest, twisted and gnarled like the legends surrounding her. Brian felt his pulse quicken as he approached. The air was thick with the scent of incense and herbs, a dizzying blend that hinted at the powerful magic that cloaked this place.

“Brian.” Clary’s voice curled around him like smoke before he even saw her. She stepped into view from the shadows, her cloak shimmering with dark, ethereal light. Her eyes, cold and calculating, fixed on him with an intensity that made him brace himself. “It’s time we spoke.”

He nodded, lowering his head in respect. “Queen Clary, I have come as you commanded.”

Clary’s lips curved into a slight smile, though her expression remained as hard as iron. “Good,” she said, motioning for him to sit on one of the moss-covered stones that surrounded a bubbling cauldron in the center of her dwelling. “I see you have kept Elara close, as instructed.”

Brian’s jaw tightened. “Yes, my Queen. I am watching her closely.”

“Yet something troubles you.” Clary’s voice was smooth, but there was a dangerous edge to it. She leaned forward, her gaze piercing. “You are aware of the prophecy, are you not?”

Brian shifted uncomfortably, but he held her gaze. “I am… but I never understood the specifics of it. You said it foretold of one who could undo our plans, someone who could return everything to how it was before. Is that Elara?”

Clary’s expression grew even darker, her gaze flickering like the shadows cast by her cauldron. “The prophecy speaks of The Golden One, a figure born of both realms—human and magic,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “One who, if she remembers her past, will awaken the curse placed on her people. She would undo the spell that binds them to eternal slumber.”

Brian felt a shiver crawl down his spine. The gravity of Clary’s words hung in the air, heavier than the fog settling around them. He knew now that this was why Clary had been so insistent about keeping Elara under his watch. The princess, with her golden apple, her beauty, and her strange resilience, could unravel everything they had worked for.

“But she doesn’t remember,” Brian said, almost as if he were reassuring himself. “Her memories… they’re gone.”

Clary’s eyes narrowed. “Memories are never truly gone, Brian. They linger, waiting to resurface. Dreams, visions, tiny glimpses of what was—these things are harder to erase. The curse we placed upon her was powerful, yes, but if she begins to remember too much…”

She trailed off, her fingers tracing patterns in the air. Tiny sparks of magic danced around her hands, illuminating her face with a faint, otherworldly glow.

Brian’s stomach twisted as he took in the look of grim determination on Clary’s face.

“So, what do you want me to do?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

Clary’s gaze bore into him. “Keep her close. Distract her. If you must, fill her mind with other thoughts, other feelings.” She smiled, a cold, calculating smile. “Ensure that her attention remains… occupied.”

Brian felt heat rise to his cheeks, his pulse pounding in his ears. He knew exactly what she was suggesting. The idea of using his budding connection with Elara as a means of controlling her made him feel sick, yet the thought of betraying Clary was unthinkable.

“And if she remembers?” he asked, a note of defiance slipping into his tone.

“Then she must be dealt with,” Clary said, her voice as cold as the night itself. Her expression softened slightly, and she reached out to place a hand on his shoulder. “Brian, you have always been loyal to our people, and I know the burden this places on you. But you must understand the importance of this task. Everything we have fought for rests on this.”

He nodded, feeling the weight of her words pressing down on him like a leaden cloak. “I understand, my Queen. I won’t fail you.”

“Good.” Clary released him, stepping back into the shadows. “Remember, Brian, the heart can be a dangerous tool. Use it wisely.”

With a final nod, Brian turned and left the lair, the weight of his duty pressing on him more heavily than ever.

Chapter 6

---