The Escape - Ariana ran. Her heart pounded louder than the music she left behind. The silk of her gown tore against the hedges of the outer gardens. Her bare foot stumbled over the cobblestones—one slipper on, one left behind in the marble hall. "Keep moving… don't look back…" she gasped. But her vision blurred. Her knees buckled. She tripped, landing hard on the grass, dirt smudging the silk of her dress. Her breath was ragged, chest heaving. She winced, clutching her ankle. "I can't… not again…" she whispered. Just as her eyes were closing from exhaustion, faint shadows approached—boots crunching over the stone path. "Princess Ariana?!" a voice called urgently and familiarly. She turned her head weakly. The insignia on the uniforms—Rowan's kingdom. "We've found her! My lady, are you alright?!" one soldier asked. Ariana's eyes widened with relief. "You… you came…" One soldier knelt and lifted her carefully in his arms, wrapping her with his cloak. Another sent a glowing flare into the sky—green fire signaling to the watchtower. "Get her to the horses. We ride back to the castle. If he follows, we're ready," another commanded. As Ariana was carried through the woods, one slipper missing and heart full of dread, she looked back once—into the night—wondering if Lucian was still chasing, or waiting with her glass slipper in hand.
The Return to Rowan - The moonlight dripped through the tall castle windows as Ariana sat quietly on a velvet couch, wrapped in a cloak. Her hair was windswept, her gown torn from the chase, and her single slipper was gone. Rowan stood in front of her, his arms crossed, brows furrowed in silent thunder. "Ariana… did anything happen between you and him at that ball?" he asked in a low, tense voice. Ariana didn't meet his eyes. She twisted the edge of her cloak between her fingers, then whispered, "Yes. I told him I liked him." Rowan froze. His jaw tightened, and his breath caught as if he'd been struck. "What? After everything he did to you? After the chains, the dungeon, the scar—everything?!" he said sharply. "I know… I know how it sounds. But I had a dream, Rowan. Of my father. He said Lucian was worthy. That I could… trust him. That maybe, in some twisted way… I was meant for him," Ariana answered quietly. "Your father told you to trust a vampire who kidnapped and hurt you?" Rowan said in disbelief. "He never said the pain was right. But he said there's something more. And… when Lucian looked at me at the ball… it wasn't the same. He didn't force me, not this time. He asked. I felt something," she said gently, yet painfully. Rowan's voice broke. "So… was that the reason you left your heart there with him too?" Ariana looked up at him, eyes glassy. "I don't know, Rowan. My heart… it's torn. I remember every hurt. But I also remember that he didn't touch another woman. That he starved himself when I starved. That he was cruel—but never indifferent. I don't love him. But I'm not sure I hate him anymore." Rowan turned away, running a hand through his hair, pained and silent. "Then where does that leave me, Ariana?" he asked bitterly. She walked slowly to him, placing a hand on his arm. "You're the one who held me through the nightmares. Who brought me back to life. I'll never stop cherishing you, Rowan. But right now… I don't know who I am. Or what I feel. I need time." Rowan closed his eyes. Then nodded, though his heart ached. "Time. Fine. But know this… if he lays a finger on you again, dream or no dream—I won't hesitate next time."
The Slipper, the Escape, and the Brother's Wrath - The castle was silent beneath the hush of midnight. Stars glimmered above as Ariana stepped quietly through the stone halls, her slippers soft on the marble. With her cloak drawn over her head, she crossed the gates, slipping into the shadows of the woods—toward Lucien's kingdom. She whispered to herself, "I only need my slipper. I won't even see him. I promise…" But in the silence, a sharp voice echoed through the dark. "Ariana!" Rowan's furious shout startled her. She turned—only to feel a rough grip on her wrist. Rowan's eyes burned with betrayal. "You dare to escape? After everything I did for you? After I warned you about him?" he growled. "Rowan—please! I wasn't going to him, I swear! I just wanted… my slipper. Just a piece of myself back," Ariana panicked. Rowan dragged her along. "You're lying. And if you love him that much—fine. I'll kill him with my own hands this time." Tears welled in Ariana's eyes as she stumbled beside him. "Rowan, no! Please! I'm sorry—I was wrong. I'll never leave again, just… don't hurt him…" Suddenly, a figure stepped from the shadows—tall, noble, and cloaked in a storm-blue cape. His hair dark as midnight, eyes burning with command. "That's enough," Edward,21, said calmly but fiercely. Rowan froze. Ariana gasped. "Brother… Edward?!" she said in shock. "She's my sister, Rowan. And if she wishes to leave—even for a foolish slipper—you will not stop her," Edward said firmly. Rowan shot back defensively, "She's not thinking straight. He brainwashed her—" Edward cut him off. "She's thinking clearer than you, driven by something you don't understand. Let her go. Let me handle this." Rowan's fists clenched. His jaw tightened. "Fine. But if she doesn't return before dawn… you'll regret this." "She will," Edward nodded. He turned to Ariana, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Go. Find what you need. But know this… I'll be watching. And if he dares harm you again—I'll end him myself."
Return to the Kingdom of Night - Ariana stepped softly through the grand obsidian gates of Lucian's kingdom. The air was colder here—rich with magic and memories. Her heart pounded not from fear, but something far more dangerous… curiosity. In the throne hall, laughter echoed. Lucian stood in his dark tailored suit, surrounded by a few vampire nobles, his wine-red eyes gleaming. He was laughing softly at some jest, his expression calm—until he sensed her. His head snapped toward the entrance. Ariana. His entire being stilled. Then, like a shadow, he glided across the room. "Now this… is a surprise I could drink to," Lucian said with a smirk and a low, velvety voice. The vampires behind him fell silent, watching with subtle amusement and awe as their prince moved toward the girl who haunted his nights. "Could it be… Cinderella's returned for her slipper?" Lucian asked, eyes locked on hers. Ariana looked away, avoiding his intense gaze. "Yes. That's all. I just came to get it back." She said. Lucian circled her slowly. "You came here, alone, through the night, into a vampire's lair… just for a shoe?" He leaned in, whispering by her ear, voice teasing like silk brushing skin. "I'm flattered, darling." Ariana backed away a step, trying not to let her voice tremble. "Don't flatter yourself. I just wanted what was mine." Lucian chuckled, amused and dangerously handsome, then reached into his coat and held out the delicate glass slipper. "Then take it. If that's all you want… take it." She reached for it—but just before her fingers could touch the glass, he pulled it slightly back. His voice dropped. "But tell me, Ari… did you miss me? Even a little? Or just the slipper?" His smile was playful, but his eyes… were hungry. Not for blood, but for her.