Return Before Dawn - Ariana ran through the misty woods, her heart thundering louder than her footsteps. The sky above her lightened with the first brush of dawn—soft hues of pink and silver painted the edges of the trees. Wind tore through her hair, flinging dark strands around her tear-streaked face as she held up the hem of her gown, sprinting through the morning haze. She reached the castle gates just as the guards began to stir. Her breath came in shallow gasps, her feet bare and muddy. When the soldiers caught sight of her, their eyes widened."Princess Ariana!" one of them called. "Where have you been? Lord Rowan—""Ariana."Rowan's voice cut through the commotion like a blade. He appeared beyond the guards, his cloak rustling, his dark eyes unreadable. The circles beneath them hinted at a sleepless night. He stepped forward with purpose, not fury—but with a quiet, raw ache."I told you to be back before dawn," he said."I know," Ariana whispered, breathless. "I'm sorry.""You went to him, didn't you?"She nodded faintly, her gaze lowering. "I just wanted my glass slipper. I didn't mean to stay… it wasn't supposed to go that far."His expression tightened. "Did something happen?"Ariana hesitated. Then, with a faltering breath, she answered softly, "He kissed me... but it wasn't—he was drunk. I ran."Rowan's silence was long and cold. His fists clenched at his sides."If you love him, Ariana... I'll go end this. I'll kill him myself.""No!" she cried, stepping forward, eyes wide. "Rowan, please don't! I don't even know what I feel. I'm confused. I'm scared. He hurt me—but he also… changed. I don't know who he is anymore."His voice turned cold. "Then why keep running back to him?"Tears welled in her eyes. "Because some part of me... keeps searching for him in the shadows of my thoughts. I don't know why. Maybe it's love. Maybe it's a curse."Rowan's shoulders stiffened. "You pretended to like me, didn't you?"Ariana's voice cracked. "...Yes."Footsteps echoed behind them. A deeper voice cut the silence like a verdict. "That's enough."Edward emerged from the shadows beyond the gates, his cloak billowing in the breeze, his gaze sharp. He looked from Ariana to Rowan, his voice calm but unwavering. "If Ariana wishes to decide her heart on her own, let her. Don't force her into anything, Rowan. You're not her fate."Rowan's voice was low, defeated. "Then what is she, Edward?""She's still figuring that out."Ariana looked up at her brother, relief washing over her expression. Rowan's gaze dropped, fists still clenched."Fine," he muttered. "But if she returns to that monster again… I won't stop myself next time."With that, he turned and disappeared into the corridor, his cloak trailing like a storm cloud. Ariana collapsed into Edward's arms, trembling.
The Fall of the Flame - Ariana's legs gave out. Her strength had finally abandoned her. Her soul had been yanked between two forces—Lucian and Rowan—until there was barely anything left. Her knees hit the stone, but she never touched the ground. Edward caught her mid-fall.He lifted her easily, gently, as if she were something fragile and sacred. Her head rested against his shoulder, her body cold with dew."You're not meant to burn in someone else's war, little sister," he whispered.He carried her through the hallway. Servants bowed and cleared the path, watching silently as the composed, powerful Duke of the realm bore the unconscious princess in his arms.
In Her Chambers - Edward laid her softly on the bed, brushing dark strands from her face. A healer approached but hesitated."She's been under emotional torment," Edward said firmly. "She needs rest, not questions."The healer nodded and got to work, mixing calming herbs and pressing a warm cloth to Ariana's forehead.Edward turned to the window, his jaw set, eyes distant. His voice was barely a murmur."If either of those cursed men harms her again… I will bring down kingdoms."
Ariana's Dreams That Night - Her sleep was filled with fragments. Lucian's glowing crimson eyes. The warmth of his voice as he said her name. Rowan's fingers wrapped around her wrist. Edward's arms lifting her out of darkness. And then… her father. Standing in radiant light, voice like a breeze across water."You cannot fight love with chains, Ariana. But love without choice is not love at all."A tear slipped down her cheek as she slept.
Lucian's Wake - Dawn crept through the blood-red curtains of Lucian's chamber, gilding the dark stone in soft gold. Silver goblets and velvet pillows lay strewn across the floor, a half-drained wine bottle on its side. The scent of the night before—lavish and empty—still hung in the air.Lucian stirred with a groan. His head throbbed like war drums."What time… is it?" he muttered.He sat up, coat wrinkled, silver clasp undone, bare chest rising with shallow breaths. His long dark hair fell into his eyes. Then it all came back—her voice, her fingers slipping from his, the taste of a kiss that wasn't returned."No…"He looked down at his own hand. The one that had gripped her wrist. The one that had pulled her close."What… have I done?"He staggered to the mirror. Crimson eyes stared back—wild, ashamed, unrecognizable."I became the monster she always feared…"He slammed his hand against the table, the rage building in his chest eclipsed only by guilt."She trusted me enough to come back... and I broke that trust."The door creaked. A noble vampire entered cautiously. "My prince… she left."Lucian didn't look up. "I know.""She was crying. Shall we retrieve her for you?"Lucian shook his head. "No. She's not a thing to be retrieved."He moved to the balcony. The morning wind tugged at his coat as he stared toward the horizon—toward her."You deserve better than the demon I became last night," he murmured. "But if you ever come back again… it will be by your choice. Not my mistake."He pressed his hand to his chest. The warmth still lingered. Her presence still lived there.