novelxo Chapter 30
Aurelia’s grip on the throne tightened as she forced herself to keep her mouth shut.
Dorian stood and Aurelia watched as his eyes narrowed at his brother’s sudden appearance. “My dear brother,” He boomed, a small smirk appearing on his face. “What perfect timing to start off our wedding celebration with your safe arrival back home.”
Ambrose did not smile at his words, only stared back at him, his face remaining impassive. Their eyes seeming to silently communicate with each other and after a moment, Dorian’s smile faltered. “It seems my brother and I have much to discuss. I dismiss you all to prepare for the night’s celebratory dance.”
The crowd began murmuring to themselves as they began to horde the exits, Ambrose and a few of the Damaris soldiers remaining where they stood as the room slowly emptied.
Dorian strode towards one of the guards and murmured something Aurelia couldn’t make out. Before she knew it, two men escorted out of the room, a soldier flanking either side, refusing to allow her to slow. She gave a last pleading glance to Ambrose, but his face was as cold as before he had left, not even bothering to look her way.
What had happened?
The guards pulled her forward, unrelenting in the hard grip they had on both of her arms. Aurelia was sure they were going to leave a mark in the morning as they made their way back to the private chambers. She tried to ignore the dread crashing down upon her as her mind returned to Ambrose’s fac as he had glanced at her – almost as if he was disgusted.
Aurelia gave them a look of death as they deposited her roughly to Cressida in her room. Cressida hurriedly ushered her in, unzipping her dress in favor for another that was laying spread out on her bed.
This one was a dark, ruby red, the same luxurious silk as earlier but instead of form-fitting, flowed extravagantly outwards in a true ballgown fashion, the bodice filled with small tufts of fabric that fluffed outwards yet did surprisingly little to hide anything of her figure.
Aurelia groaned impatiently as Cressida took her time fashioning her makeup and hair for the occasion. By the time she was finished, Aurelia looked as if she was fashioned from the darkness itself – dark lipstick coated her lips and black eyeliner adorned her eyes, a grave contradiction to her light and sunny demeanor she had preferred in Calathis.
Cressida finally stepped back with an approving look as she glanced once more over her handiwork. She was also dressed in finery for the night’s events, insisting it was one of the most important nights of the year – instead of her usual plain robes, she wore a simple black gown, her grey hair pinned up into a bun.
Even from the far off wing of the castle the pair could vaguely hear the thrum of the music all the way from the ballroom, where the orchestra was practicing for the hundreds of guests that would be attending.
“Shall we?” Cressida said as she stepped back from Aurelia and went to open the door.
Aurelia froze. She had to find Ambrose and find out what had happened. Dread twisted in her stomach with knowing the truth was so close, her body aching to make sure that Calathis was alright. “I-er, need to use the bathroom. I’ll meet you down there.”
Cressida paused and turned to face Aurelia, a hand on her hip. “Are you kidding? In a gown that big? You’d never be able to zip it back up on your own.” She shut the door once more, ushering Aurelia back into the bathroom. “Come on now.”
Aurelia winced, her plan to escape Cressida a failure. There was no time to waste. “Oh, never mind, I’m fine. Let’s just go.”
Cressida looked at her suspiciously before turning back towards the door, opening it with a flourish. “If you’re sure.”
Aurelia nodded sharply and hiked up her skirts to begin the trek to the main part of the castle. She made sure to fall a few steps behind Cressida, keeping her footfalls as quietly as possible.
Right as they were about to exit the royal wing, Aurelia slipped down one of the hidden passageways, pulling at the silver thread to give her a moment of invisibility. She moved as fast and as quietly as she could, making her way back into the royal halls, but this time, to Ambrose’s room.
She was out of breath by the time she arrived, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Somehow she had escaped Cressida despite the small head start her invisibility had given her.
Taking a deep breath, she relaxed her body and leaned forward to knock on the door, but paused in midair as the sound of angry voices drifted from within.
She slowly tilted her ear to the door, straining to hear.
“--was successful, Dorian.” Ambrose was saying impatiently. “If we send them in three days’ time, we will have backup, and remain successful.”
“But you didn’t do entirely what I asked, now did you?” Dorian said coldly, his anger piercing through his words. “She is still alive.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Ambrose responded. “The infiltration is complete. Just because I didn’t stay to– it doesn’t matter. We were going to get found out. We barely made it out of there alive.”
“I’d rather have you dead and have completed my mission,” Dorian growled in response. She heard his footsteps draw near. “We’re not done with this conversation.”
Aurelia only had a second to pull at the silver strand once more, rendering herself invisible as Dorian stomped out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him. She didn’t breathe until he had turned the corner, out of sight, holding onto the string with all of her might, when Ambrose opened the door once more, stepping into the hallway.
“Ambrose,” Aurelia said softly as she let go of the magic, her body no longer invisible.
Ambrose jumped in surprise, spinning around to face her. His eyes were cold and filled with hatred that Aurelia stepped backwards, unfamiliar with the man standing in front of her.
“Aurelia.” He said flatly. “I must be going.” He spun on his heel and began walking down the hallway, but before he could get far, Aurelia caught up to him, grabbing his hand.
“Ambrose,” She repeated, a hint of hurt displaying in her tone. “What’s happened? Are you alright? I have something really important to tell you. I was so worried–”
“Oh, I’m sure you were worried,” Ambrose interrupted as he pulled his arm out of her grasp, a sneer eclipsing his face. “Worried that I would hurt your kingdom? Afraid of what I would do without you to chaperone me?”
Hurt flashed across Aurelia’s face as she took a step backwards, her words dying in her throat. “Ambrose, I–”
“You what, Aurelia?” He said icily, staring down upon her. “Save Calathis this…save everyone, that…” He shook his head, stalking towards her, his eyes dark in rage.
“Do you know what I did for you?” He growled, and she stepped backwards in fear, her eyes wide, as he continued walking forward. “I gave your kingdom a chance. I was sent on a mission, to save Damaris – my people, my land, my kingdom – and I didn’t do it. Because I believed in you, too. I believed that we would do this together. But you’re not everything you say – you’re not anything at all. Calathis will do just as much to keep their power, almost killing us, attacking our people, everything they tear us apart for. Don’t think for a moment just because you’re from the kingdom of light that you’re always the good ones.”
Aurelia blinked back the tears that had come unwillingly at his harsh words. “Ambrose,” She said gently. “My grandmother would never do such a thing. Nothing has changed since you’ve left. We made a deal, and I’ve been honoring it. I’ve taken care of your villagers, made sure they’ve had enough food, enough business...” Her voice trailed off at the disdainful look on his face.
“No, Aurelia,” He responded, meeting her gaze for the first time since he had left. “That’s where you’re wrong.” His gaze hardened. “I betrayed Dorian, my own brother, because I–” He stopped, breathless, inches from her face, his chest heaving.
“Because I love you,” He said after a moment, and he pulled away from her, turning away, back towards the hallway. After a moment, he turned back, meeting her gaze. “But none of this is real, Aurelia. It’s war. Not even you are worth my entire kingdom.” He turned away once more, striding down the hall, not once looking back.
Aurelia watched him disappear feeling as if he had torn her heart to pieces. He’s the prince of your enemy, she reminded herself, but a small voice in the back of her head whispered to her that he hadn’t felt like one at all.
He loved her.
Her hand subconsciously went to the necklace that adorned her neck, the very same one that he had charmed to protect her from the strangers that wished her dead.
He chose Damaris.
The contents of her stomach threatened to emerge and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she pushed away the pain and darkness that threatened to envelop her.
She didn’t know how long she stood in that corridor hoping he would come back, but he never did. As the sun began to set through the windows, Aurelia forced herself to walk towards the ballroom, to the celebration that was in her honor. She was dressed in a luxurious gown, after all.
She arrived to the doors and the guards on either side bowed, opening the doors to the crowded hall. The orchestra was playing lively music that everyone within was dancing to and the stars on the ceiling twinkled down on the animated dancing.
The sunset trickled into the room, making her auburn hair look as if it was on fire. As the doors opened, everyone paused at the sight of her, her dress far more magnificent than the rest, a true goddess of sun with her red gown and glowing hair.
Dorian was seated upon his throne, his eyes perking up at the sight of her. He walked leisurely to her side, enjoying the attention as the crowd parted effortlessly for him in awe of the woman at the grand doors. The familiar dread and disgust with the presence of Dorian was nowhere to be found, her head empty of thought, of feeling. Her mind was numb as Ambrose’s words revertebrated over and over, unrelenting in their coldness.
“My queen,” His voice boomed as he walked towards her, holding out his hand. Aurelia nodded dutifully, placing her slender hand in his as his lips leaned down to kiss her hand.
“May we celebrate our coming union for today and all days to come.” He grinned at the people around them and they cheered in response, so many bodies crowded into the room, their eyes all upon them.
Aurelia’s gaze swept through the crowd, a small smile forced upon her face. It was almost overwhelming how many people had come to celebrate their union in unending support for their king. Her gaze paused on a face far back in the room, almost hidden by all of the villagers.
Ambrose.
Their eyes met and she had to do everything in her power to keep a smile on her face. The same coolness from earlier radiated from his demeanor as he looked at her with a mix of disgust and hatred.
No longer tempted to be the damsel in distress he had so enjoyed, she stared daggers back at him, her chin up in defiance. Her grip tightened on Dorian and he picked up his pace as they made their way up the stairs and to the two thrones – their thrones.
She sat gracefully and watched as the orchestra picked up its music once more.
“Would you like to dance, my darling?” Dorian said suddenly, the crown upon his head glistening beneath the starlight.
Aurelia shrugged indifferently. “Why not?”
Dorian grinned and as fast as they had sat down, they were up once more, making their way down the grand staircase to join the throng of dancers.
Dorian, though a man of terrible intentions, was an excellent dancer. Aurelia, despite herself, began to enjoy the fast waltz, losing herself in the music, to the sound of the beat as she moved beneath the stars.
Over and over she spun, twirling underneath Dorian’s arm with her dress billowing out around her, allowing him to dip her deeply to the cheer of onlookers. The pace sped up, and they kept up with it. A look of pleasant surprise crossed Dorian's face as Aurelia kept up with him, urging him faster even when he spun her upside down.
The crowd cheered them on, the floor slowly emptying to give them space to spin around, the crowd clapping to the beat. The orchestra matched the music to their feet, speeding up as they twirled around the room. Their eyes were only on each other, almost as if they were both daring the other to push faster and faster, until they were a blur along the marble. It felt as if there was fire in her veins, her body urging her to move, to escape the pain from before, to live in the now.
When the song ended, the pair finally stopped, both out of breath and warm from the crowd flooding the floor. Cheers and applause erupted at their performance, and the orchestra transitioned to a slow song, giving the pair of them a break from the fast pace.
“I’m impressed,” Dorian said with a grin as they swayed back and forth slowly.
Aurelia smirked. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” She said honestly, raising her eyebrows. “For one, I’m always up for a challenge.”
The violet in his eyes faded for a moment as he stared down upon her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I look forward to learning more,” He said before he broke their gaze, falling silent as they moved back and forth.
Aurelia shook her head, remaining stiff in his arms. When the slow song ended for another fast one, Dorian led her out of the center in turn for a cold glass of stardust. Aurelia hesitantly followed as he slipped out onto the terrace for the fresh, cold air to soothe their heated bodies.
“Here,” Dorian said gently as he held out a flute of stardust for Aurelia. She took the glass gracefully, taking a deep sip of the familiar bubbly liquid.
The terrace off of the ballroom had the most beautiful outside view from the castle – with the mountaintops on the far right of the horizon and the dark ocean to the left, it was beautiful in a way Damaris only could be.
She watched as Dorian gazed out at the moon on the horizon, the first time she had ever seen his face so...peaceful. His violet eyes were illuminated by the moonlight and Aurelia waited for a snarky comment, yet he said nothing. They remained in amiable silence, looking up at the stars.
“King Dorian?” A male voice cut the silence, and Aurelia spun around to see Lorcan dressed in fighting leathers. “We’re leaving now. I wanted to confirm the…” His words stopped as he met Aurelia’s gaze. “...plans.”
Dorian nodded and followed him back into the castle as they talked avidly about something she couldn’t quite overhear. She sighed, her body finally cooling down enough to shiver in the winter air. It was odd, in a way, how she was saddened by the interruption.
“Aurelia,” A voice said from the far end of the terrace.
Her head snapped up to see Ambrose standing there, his eyes piercing into her own.
“Oh, Ambrose,” Aurelia said, turning away from him, the hurt from earlier resurfacing. “What else could you possibly have to say to me?”
“Do you like him?” He asked, his voice void of emotion. He stood in a shadow of the castle, unseen by anyone but Aurelia.
Aurelia’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Who?”
“Him.” He rasped. “Dorian. Who else?” He shook his head, his long hair loose, shaking like a ragged mane. “I saw you two tonight. Like lovers. Was that what you were going to tell me? That you ditched me for my brother?”
Aurelia scoffed. “No, Ambrose. No.” She clenched her fists. “If you would’ve given me a chance to speak–”
“I don’t believe you.” He interrupted.
Aurelia turned away, walking back towards the castle, exhausted from their conversation. He lunged forward, grabbing her arm. Terror of the man he had become whipped through Aurelia, of what he could inflict upon her as his sworn enemy.
Her magic lashed out automatically in defense. Ice shot towards him, holding him back and lining the area between Aurelia and Ambrose, her spikes as sharp as she had wished them to be all those days ago in the tower with Demir.
His jaw dropped in surprise as he released her, his gaze focused on the magic between them and the ice that held him in place.
“What—” Realization dawned on his face, and new panic set in Aurelia’s mind as she realized what this meant – what secret this revealed. She had practiced lunar magic so much it had been her automatic defense mechanism for days, now, all to reach the same level as her solar magic. Yet now, it had revealed to her captor of the truth – the truth that could change everything.
“You…” He pointed down towards the ice, and back up to Aurelia. “How did you do that?”
Aurelia shook her head, turning away to walk into the castle.
“Aurelia, please,” Ambrose said softly, a hint of himself back. Despite her better intentions, Aurelia turned back towards him, greeting the man that she had trusted, the man that had been missing since Ambrose had returned.
“How did you do that?” He asked again, gentler. The hatred from his eyes had disappeared, replaced now with wonder. “Can you–”
Aurelia gave him a short nod, clasping her hands in front of her.
His eyes widened and he jumped forward, excitement crossing his features. Aurelia stepped backwards in concern, watching as his entire demeanor shifted.“Oh, don’t you see what this means?” He grinned, running forward to embrace her.
She stood unmoving, unable to respond to the man that had shattered her heart only hours before.
“Aurelia…” He murmured in her ear, his voice soothing and calm, her rock throughout her time in Damaris. “You are the prophecy.”
“Yes.” She confirmed stiffly, still unable to open herself up to the man holding her. “So what?”
Ambrose pulled away and got down upon his knees, holding her hands in his own. “This changes everything, Aurelia. You are the prophecy. You are the destiny.” He leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her hand.
“Together, we will save Damaris, we will save Calathis, we will save everyone. We will rule together, you and I, with fairness, with love.” He stood up, spinning around the terrace in glee. “Don’t you see? It doesn’t matter now that I disobeyed Dorian’s orders. He is not the future.”
He returned in front of her, cupping her cheek in his palm. “You are.”
He swept her into his arms, kissing her deeply underneath the moon and stars, his kiss desperate, as if they were the last two people on earth. After a moment, he pulled back, his eyes filled with emotion, so much so Aurelia couldn’t unpack it all. Heat built in her abdomen from his touch, her uncontrolled emotions feeling like a betrayal.
He had chosen Damaris, she reminded herself. She couldn’t open herself up to get hurt again.
“I love you, Aurelia of Calathis. You’re in my head all of the time, even when you shouldn’t be. I am the descendant of the moon and you of the sun...it doesn’t make sense. It’s impossible, against every sensible thing I’ve ever learned. Yet…”
His voice broke and he cupped her face in his hands. “Yet the second you appeared in my life…everything was brighter. It is as if you are the sun, and everything you touch turns to light. You bring light to my unending darkness. I would move mountains for you, for your light, for the hope that you give. You are beautiful, my love, and I would do anything, absolutely anything, to see you shine.”
Aurelia looked back up at him, her eyes filled with her own emotions at his words. It was the Ambrose she had missed for weeks looking down upon her, her ally, her friend, the only one she could trust. He had chosen Damaris, yes. But now, he was choosing her.
“Ambrose,” Aurelia whispered as she rose her hand to cup his cheek, her eyes shining with tears. Deep within, she felt herself lower her guard, allowing Ambrose into her heart once more. Gently, she raised her lips to his, and without hesitation, in the shadows of the Damaris castle, Aurelia kissed him back.