Chapter 35 The Dark Forest
Amara POV
The cool night air brushed over my skin, the white silk of my nightgown fluttering slightly as I leaned against the balcony railing.
The palace grounds below were quiet, bathed in silver moonlight. In the distance, I heard howls from the lycans and werewolves as they hunted. Sebastian, Alpha Braden, and the rest of the men were off celebrating. According to Sebastian, it’s tradition in the royal family to go on a hunt when every royal member marries.
I should’ve felt relieved not to attend. And I do.. but I wonder what it’d be like running at Sebastian’s side. My mind buzzed with many thoughts.
My body still ached from the sparring match. I’d bested the Dark Lycan King. Actually pinned him. And he’d yielded. Submitted, even for just a moment. The look in his eyes when he’d done it would stick with me forever me. He seemed proud.
Dinner had been no less eventful. The memory of Lola’s smile faltering after my reply still made me smirk. I should’ve been worried, maybe even cautious. But tonight.. I felt strong. Like I’d finally taken up space I was born to own.
A chill crept into my limbs, and with it, a sudden wave of fatigue. Deep, unnatural, dragging me under like a velvet tide.
I turned toward my bed, intending to rest. My head felt too light. The world tilted for just a second.
And then everything went dark.
•••••••••••••••••••••••
“Amara.”
A low growl. My name, laced with fury.
I blinked, the familiar feeling of a paintbrush in my hand, heart thundering in my chest. The light of a single lantern flickered across the room. Shadows danced over the many half-finished canvases and shelves of pigment jars.
I was in my art room.
But I didn’t remember walking here. I definitely didn’t remember painting. Yet in front of me, on the easel, was a piece I’d never seen before..what looked to be a dark forest, with many crimson eyes in the trees. Between the trees was the full moon, illuminating what seemed to be a shadow standing on a path, with a red crown etched on top of its head.
This felt familiar.. but it was something odd. Something old and dangerous.
“Amara.”
I turned slowly. Seeing Sebastian standing in the doorway, shirt half unbuttoned, blood on his sleeves, no doubt from the hunt, but his fury wasn’t from hunting. It was directed at me.
Or.. no. Not me. The weight around my neck.
I glanced down. Feeling the weight of it bear down on me.
The ruby.
Its chain hung delicately around my throat. I hadn’t put it on. I knew I hadn’t. But there it was.. pulsing faintly like a second heartbeat.
I staggered back from the painting, confused. “I don’t.. Sebastian, I swear I don’t know how-”
His face twisted. A mixture of fury and something close to fear.
“You weren’t wearing that when I left,” he said, walking towards me.
“I didn’t put it on,” I whispered as I shook my head. My heart was thundering in my chest.
He was in front of me in a blink, gripping my shoulders, voice low and venomous.
“Where. Did. You. Find. It?”
“I don’t know-”
“I hid it, Amara! Locked away and warded by a spell.”
I froze. “Then how..?”
“I don’t know,” he hissed, stepping back like the sight of it disgusted him. “But that thing chose you. Or was called to you or something.. And I don’t know which is worse.”
My fingers trembled as I reached for the chain. Heat pulsed against my skin..angry, warning. It didn’t want to be removed.
Sebastian’s voice turned sharp. “Take it off. Now.”
“I’m trying..”
“Do it again,” he snapped. “Fight it.”
Swallowing my panic, I reached up, my fingers brushing the chain. This time, I felt it resist..an oily weight crawling along my nerves. I gritted my teeth, closed my eyes. It was beginning to physically hurt to pull on.
But still, I pushed.
With everything in me, I rejected it.
The clasp broke.
The ruby fell into my palm, cold as ice.
Sebastian snatched it from my hand, wrapping it in a strip of his shirt.
Silence.
Then he looked at me, chest rising and falling with slow, controlled breaths.
“I don’t know what’s happening.. but I don’t like it.” He said. His eyes shifted to the painting.
And so did mine.
“I don’t remember doing this.” I said, my finger grazing the still-fresh paint.
“It’s.. dark.” He took in a deep breath as his eyes scanned the painting.
“Wait..” his eyebrows furrowed as he thought to himself. “I know this place.. yeah.. the dark forest. It separates the vampire kingdom and ours. By law, no one is allowed to enter. It’s not just rogues or necromancers that live there. Ancient evil spirits do as well. The first king's old palace is there.” He said.
I remembered my studies well. I knew what he was speaking of. Ancient evils and such. Not only growing up, but also from Elke as well. She made sure to remind me to never go there, no matter the cost.
But I wonder, what does the dark forest have to do with this ruby? What does it have to do with me?
I looked back at the painting, the shadowy figure etched into the middle with the crimson crown glowing brightly atop its head.
Could that be.. me?
No. There’s no way. I’ve heard far too many stories to ever set foot into that forest. Not even a queen is safe from it.
“What are you thinking?” He asked, taking the still-wet paintbrush from my fingers and placing it down. He grabbed my hands and gasped.
“You’re freezing now. You weren’t just a moment ago.” He said, wrapped his arms around me in an instant.
This is an odd position to be in.. a hug. But it’s not, he’s just warming me.
“Come on, you’re coming to bed. The fire is hot and ready for you. I’ll have tea brought up.”
In an instant, he picked me up and carried me out of the room. On the way to our chambers, I couldn’t help but notice how his eyes sparkled a little more than ever before. It might actually be the first time I feel.. like he might be starting to not hate me.
Before I knew it, I was tucked back in our bed, his warm body next to mine. At first, I was ready to turn our separate directions as we do every night.. but this time, he turned towards my back and draped his arm across my side, pulling me closer to him.
“Sleep well, dusha moya.”
I didn’t question what he meant as I slowly drifted to sleep.