The sound of the guards' steel shoes drew closer, the echo of their steps like war drums. Oren held the torch tightly, turning to Aldric. "We must find a way out now."
Aldric remained calm, though his eyes were like flames. "There's a secret passage behind the west pillar. We'll use that."
I bit my lip, trying to calm my frantic heartbeat. The curse that bound me, the intoxicating love, and now... the escape under the shadow of the palace. It all felt like a nightmare.
---
We ran through a narrow passage that was almost invisible. Towering stone pillars hid a secret door that opened faintly. Aldric grabbed my hand, pulling me in first, and Oren closed the stone door behind us. Silence. Only our breathing could be heard.
The secret passage was dark, damp, and winding. I tried to adjust my eyes to the dim torchlight. Ahead of me, Aldric turned to me, his expression unreadable.
"You have nothing to fear, Seraphine," he said lowly. "This is just a palace game. They won't catch us."
I sighed softly. "A game? Our lives are being threatened."
He leaned closer, his face only inches from mine. "Even the deadliest game... can turn into an intoxicating dance, if you play it right."
I straightened my chin, refusing to let his words shake me. "You speak as if I have no choice."
Aldric only smiled faintly. "Because in truth, you do have no choice-besides following me."
---
Oren cleared his throat, breaking through the tension between us. "Sir, we need to move faster. I can hear the guards already above."
Aldric nodded and walked faster. I followed him, but in my head, Lucien's words rang again "Don't trust him too much. "
Is Aldric really by my side, or just a puppet controlled by this curse?
---
The hallway ended at an old wooden door full of intricate carvings. Oren pushed the door slowly, and we entered a secret underground room-an ancient warehouse full of crates and old wine bottles. The smell of earth and spices filled my nose.
Aldric stopped, turning to me. "We'll be safe here for a while."
I took a breath, trying to calm myself. "Did you know about this curse, Aldric? Since the beginning?"
He leaned closer, looking at me deeply. "I know this curse goes deeper than just a spell. But what you don't know, Seraphine... this curse is the shackle we inherited together."
---
I looked at her in disbelief. "Together? What do you mean?"
He leaned closer, his fingers touching my chin gently. "You and I, Seraphine... we are connected. From the moment you awoke in Lady Seraphine Valeria's body, our blood was fused. This curse... chains our fates."
I held my breath. "And you... you knew this from the beginning?"
Aldric nodded slowly. "I knew. But you must understand... this is not just about the curse. It's about us. About what we choose."
---
I fell silent, looking down. "Then... are you using this curse to control me?"
Aldric let out a long breath. "I utilize many things, Seraphine. But you... you are more than a pawn to me."
He grabbed my waist, looking at me with a look that made it hard to breathe. "I want you to stay alive. Because if you die... I'll lose myself too."
---
I felt a mixture of fear and... something darker-an attraction I couldn't understand. "You speak as if this is fate," I whispered.
Aldric just looked at me deeply. "Perhaps it is fate. Or a curse we cannot escape."
I was about to reply when Oren cleared his throat, his eyes troubled. "I'm sorry, sir. We don't have much time. The guards will surely find a way in."
---
Aldric turned to him. "That's right. We should move immediately. Oren, you take care of Seraphine. I'll find a way out of this hallway."
I gave Aldric a sharp look. "Are you leaving us here?"
He looked at me, his voice firm. "It's the only way to distract them. Trust me."
I held my breath. "And if you don't come back?"
He smiled faintly. "I always come back to you, Seraphine. Remember that."
Aldric disappeared into another dark hallway, his steps steady. I stare at his retreating back, my heart feeling pulled in two directions: between trust and fear.
---
Oren took a breath. "You must be careful with him, Lady. He... he has a side you don't know about."
I turned to him. "You know something I don't, Oren?"
Oren hesitated for a moment, then whispered. "Aldric is the heir to the throne of shadows. He was bound to this curse from birth. And that curse... never lets anyone escape without loss."
I bit my lip. "And me? Am I just a tool for him?"
He looked at me, his face grim. "I don't know, Lady. But I do know one thing-he would destroy anyone to protect you. And that's... scary."
---
We sat in the old warehouse, silent in tension. I felt a cold sweat on the back of my neck. Was Aldric really sincere... or was he just playing me?
Meanwhile, the sounds of the guards' footsteps were getting closer. They were looking for us, and our time was running out.
Oren grasped my shoulder lightly. "We should be ready to run at any time. If Aldric doesn't return... I'll escort you out, Lady. I promise."
I looked into his eyes, searching for honesty. "Thank you, Oren," I whispered. "But I must know the truth for myself."
---
Suddenly, the old wooden door shook-a loud crashing sound echoed, like a steel hammer hitting. Oren and I looked at each other, our bodies stiffening.
The guard's voice echoed behind the door: "We know you're inside! Surrender yourselves-or we'll burn this room down!"
Oren grabbed my arm tightly. "Lady... this could be our end."
I took a shaky breath. Curses, love, and danger... all combined in this dark night.
And outside the door, Aldric had not yet returned.
---