The late morning sun poured in through the palace windows, warming the marble halls with a deceptive calm. In one of the royal tea salons, decorated with pastel-colored curtains and velvet cushions, Princess Ariana sat poised like a delicate swan. She wore a soft pink dress, her hair cascading in perfect waves over her shoulders. The tray of sweets before her remained untouched.
Across from her, Valerie sipped from her cup of spiced tea, her eyes cool and distant. Ariana, ever the performer, smiled brightly.
"You know, Valerie," Ariana began, her voice airy and sweet, "it warms my heart that we finally have a chance to speak, just the two of us. I feel like we've been dancing around each other for so long."
Valerie didn't respond immediately. She was too preoccupied watching the steam curl from her tea. Her power had been acting up again this morning, and the tension in her chest hadn't eased.
Ariana leaned forward slightly. "I wanted you to know, truly, that I am here for you. If you ever need anything—help, advice, even just someone to talk to—I'd love to be that person. After all, I'll soon be your sister-in-law."
Valerie's eyes snapped up. "What?"
"Oh, didn't Darius tell you?" Ariana giggled softly, though her voice was too tight to be genuine. "He and I have been discussing it for quite some time now. Engagement is only a matter of timing and presentation. He's just being... considerate."
Valerie's brows drew together. "You've been discussing it with him? Or you've been telling him it's what you want?"
Ariana's smile didn't falter, but the sparkle in her eyes dimmed. "Well, I know my worth, Valerie. And Darius—he needs someone strong. Loyal. Beautiful, even."
"He also needs someone he loves," Valerie said quietly.
Ariana blinked. "Love comes with time."
"Or it doesn't come at all."
The tension between them grew like a thick cloud. Ariana reached out, her fingers brushing the edge of Valerie's sleeve. "Valerie... you and I could be family. I don't want this awkwardness between us. I see how close you and the maid are becoming. I hear that you invite her to your chambers and..."
Valerie pulled her sleeve away. "If you really want to do something good, then stop chasing shadows. My brother doesn't want you, Ariana. He never has. He's just been too polite to say it to your face."
Ariana's breath caught.
Valerie stood, her tone final and cold. "You're only making a fool of yourself. Do yourself a favor and walk away."
Ariana said nothing for a moment. The brightness in her face drained, replaced by a deep red flush of humiliation. She stared at the untouched sweets, her composure slipping. Valerie didn't look back as she walked out of the salon.
***
In the shadows of the northern tower, beyond the servants' quarters and the guard barracks, Heath stood in a chamber few even knew existed. The stone walls pulsed faintly with old runes, and the air hummed with strange magic.
Before him, hovering in a large portal of bluish flame, was a figure cloaked in smoke. The man's voice boomed through the chamber.
"The heartstone," the voice echoed. "He searches for it now?"
Heath nodded, his posture deferential but not weak. "Yes, my lord. Darius has involved a girl. A thief. He wants her to retrieve it."
"Foolish child. The heartstone is not a toy."
"He doesn't know what he's playing with. But I do."
"Then retrieve it. And ensure the king never lays eyes upon it. If he awakens its power, everything we've built in your realm could collapse."
"I plan to tail the girl," Heath said. "She's clever but not invincible. If I can't get to it before her, I'll steal it after."
The voice narrowed like a dagger. "Do not fail me. If Darius unlocks the stone, your birthright will be lost forever."
Heath bowed his head low. "I understand."
The portal closed in a thunderous flicker, leaving the chamber in dim silence. But Heath wasn't alone.
Odi had heard everything.
She had followed him when she saw him acting suspicious. Her instincts had screamed at her to trust him. She had kept her steps silent, using every bit of her thief's training to remain hidden in the shadows of the stone archway.
Now, heart racing, she backed away slowly.
Heath was a traitor.
He wasn't protecting the kingdom. He was conspiring with some force from another world. And worse—he was after the same thing Darius was after: the heartstone.
Odi turned and ran, not caring now if her footsteps echoed. She had to tell someone. She had to warn Darius.
But even as she ran, a whisper in her gut twisted.
This wasn't just about magic or treasure anymore.
This was war.
***
Ariana sat alone in the salon, her fingers curled tightly around her teacup. Valerie's words echoed like cruel bells in her head.
He doesn't want you. He never has.
She bit down on her trembling lip, refusing to cry. But her hands betrayed her, shaking as she set the cup down with a clatter. The porcelain cracked.
"I won't be cast aside," she muttered.
The humiliation burned too deep.
No. She would not let this pass. Not from Valerie. Not from Odi. And not even from Darius.
She stood abruptly and left the room, her mind spinning, her resolve hardening like steel.
If they wanted a battle, they would have it.
And Ariana never lost.
***
Valerie returned to her room still rattled, though she didn't show it. Ariana had pushed too hard. She wasn't the enemy—yet—but there was something desperate about her, something dangerous in its own way.
She stepped inside her chamber and sighed. The curtains were half-torn, and the vase on her table lay shattered from her earlier magical mishap. Her power had surged without warning while practicing a simple spell. Flames had erupted from her palms, her books levitated on their own, and a mirror had cracked without even being touched.
"Get it together," she whispered to herself.
She lit a candle and sat cross-legged on the floor. Eyes closed, she steadied her breathing, willing her energy to obey.
"Calm... control... clarity..."
But the magic inside her pulsed like a heartbeat. Wild. Unruly. Growing stronger each day.
She couldn't let it rule her.
Especially not now.
There were too many secrets in this palace, and she was beginning to see that her power might be needed more than ever.
Even if it frightened her.
Even if it marked her as something other than just a princess.
***
Down in the depths of the castle, a storm was beginning to brew.
And none of them would remain untouched.