Like a tempest, darkness engulfed the ballroom.
Accompanied by frantic sounds, a gasp went through the crowd.
Her heart was racing.
The only light was the faint glow of candles on the edges - they cast shaking shadows on the walls.
Thalia's breath was sharp against the cold, her dagger glowing fiercely as she took another step forward.
"You thought you could run from me forever?" she sighed.
Eyes fixated on her cousin, Kaelith shrugged her shoulders. "Why did you betray your own blood?"
Thalia's smile turned harsh. "Power isn't safe when loyalty is at stake."
Corven, hand placed upon the hilt of his sword, stepped in next to Kaelith. "You will not get away with this."
Thalia thrust herself forwards.
The clash from the swords was heard far away.
As the fight seeped into the shadows, Mira and Theron threw themselves forward as guests in the way.
With the swords forging into her gloves, Kaelith started dodging and parrying.
Even through the battle, the feeling of dread for something worse crept in.
Dangerous lips murmured.
Silence cloaked the area.
Possibly smoke.
The Queen's deadly assassins.
Hooded figures appeared from the dark, weapons pointed, faces well hidden.
Their precision was deadly, yet elegant.
No random assault was needed, Kaelith thought.
This is what a bloodbath looked like.
She looked towards the concealed tunnel, but it was already sealed off. "We're trapped," Theron shouted.
Kaelith tousled her hair in frustration. Her face looked worse than her imagination had conjured.
The ring burned against Theron's skin.
Kaelith's focus hastily shifted towards the painful burn on his arm. "Take me to the tunnels. There's another exit."
Kaelith grunted in satisfaction, glancing at Mira and Corven, and to her relief they didn't look as troubled as she felt.
Together, they began moving forward and navigating through the frenzied crowds.
The mingled yells of rage and fight fell quieter behind them.
With each breath, the dreamy feeling of being swept off one's feet and drowning in romantic bliss slowly faded as reality set in again.
Letting her gaze float down towards the floor, she almost gasped at the view before her, the dark, deep ceilings and lake blue walls were breathtaking.
As Torros and Radis rounded a corner, a figure detached itself from the wall.
Kaelith paused.
A face hidden under a cloak—A paler version of Theron.
"Head to the ki
tchen to prepare dinner," the woman said, voice deceptively gentle.