Aria's Revenge

CHAPTER FOUR

Eldrid felt like a dream journey, but the presence of the ancient trees and towering mountains that surrounded the Lycan Kingdom made me know that it was real.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when we finally arrived. In the starlit sky, Kael’s castle towered; a great darkness of dark stone with silver accents lining what glimmered under the moonlight. Imposing, yet breathtakingly beautiful, a place of power.

We were making our way into the massive hall, the flickering torches casting shifting shadows on the wall. The grandeur of the place made me feel a strange unease at the back of my mind. I didn’t know this world, its customs or its people. Kael had offered me refuge and while I had taken it, I couldn’t shake the feeling that was a price I would have to pay.

Kael walked me through the hall, his footsteps echoing against the stone floor, until he led us into a large chamber and two figures met us.

The first: a tall, lean man of dark hair, and what I thought of as piercing eyes, intent but not threatening — taking in the silent respect I gave him with a quiet intensity. He seemed to be someone that knew every corner of Eldrid and would be able to tell if anything was out of place in his territory. His name was Thane, Kael’s trusted advisor as Kael introduced him.

The second was a woman, with silver eyes same as Kael’s but these for some reason felt almost like a warning. Her eyes were icy, her study of me openly distrustful, and she crossed her arms. She was beautiful, fierce, unapologetic, and there was no warmth to her expression. Lyra was Kael’s sister.

'Welcome to Eldrid. As long as you stay, you’ll be safe here while following the rules of this kingdom.” Thane said politely.

I couldn't speak, but I nodded, under the weight of their stares. This room of strangers was the only comfort, but even Kael was guarded, like he was waiting for me to prove myself.

I never took my eyes off of Lyra, who didn’t take her eyes off of me, her jaw set as though this was her duty, a duty she wasn’t happy about. She stared at him, her tone as cold as her stare. “We don’t take in strangers, especially not those with… questionable pasts.”

I felt my cheeks burning but I stood my ground and stared her down. Those I had once trusted had cast me out, belittled me, and made me nothing. I wouldn’t let her brush me off so quickly.

Kael said, firmly, “She’s under my protection, Lyra. And that should be enough.”

Lyra’s gaze shifted from me to him, however, she said nothing, but I could feel the tension between them as I watched the eye exchange. Thane inclined his head and a faint smirk formed at the corner of his mouth as if he found amusement in the silent clash.

The silence was broken by Kael, “I’ll show her to her quarters.” I reached for the hand that held the bottle of Whiskey and the two shots, and followed him up the grand staircase, leaving Lyra and Thane behind. Just in time, I glanced back to see Lyra’s frosty expression before she was gone from view and I couldn’t help feeling a chill creep down my spine.

Kael paused at the guest wing, looked down at me with an intensity that was unsettling and … comforting. His voice was softer, “I know this must feel overwhelming. But you’re safe here, Aria. It’s not like other places.”

I wanted to believe him, wanted to feel secure, but I doubted. Safety was a fragile thing, I had only known it briefly before it was taken from me. But Kael’s presence calmed something inside me, something that took away the bitterness I had.

I said 'thank you' in a neutral tone as I could muster. “Thanks for your help but I’ve learned not to trust easily.’

As if he understood, he nodded. “Trust is earned. I don’t expect you to feel comfortable here overnight, and I don’t expect you to be comfortable here. Take your time. Rest.”

He turned and left, his footsteps fading down the corridor with that. I took in the room, there were heavy drapes and a bed large enough to swallow me whole, alone.

I heaved a sigh of relief as I sat quietly on the bed, wondering if I will be able to sleep on the bed.

However, that night I couldn’t stop thinking about Ryder. I could still see his cold cruel expression, his image in the shadows outside Vega’s hideout.

I resolved my mind not to let him win, I couldn’t let his betrayal bind me to a life of running and hiding. I needed closure, even if it meant facing him again, and he had taken everything from me.

It brewed in my mind and stirred me into action. I slipped out of bed, pulled on a cloak and moved silently through the castle. The answers haunted me, if I could just make it out of Eldrid I could confront Ryder. Maybe, then, I would be free of his hold on me.

A shadow blocked my path as I reached the courtyard. I looked up to see Thane standing before me, arms crossed, the sharpness of his gaze was unyielding.

His voice low and unreadable, “Going somewhere, Aria?”

My heart pounded and I stiffened. “I… I just needed some air.”

Clearly, Thane was unconvinced. “Air? You were planning a little bit more than that, weren’t you?”

I wasn't sure what to say, so I swallowed. Thane’s eyes narrowed as if he was putting together my intentions.

His tone softened but he was still firm. “It would be suicide to leave Eldrid. Even here his influence still reigns. If he knows you’re alone, he won’t hesitate to hunt you down.”

At the mention of Ryder, my fists clenched with anger. “I don’t need your protection. I can handle myself.”

His gaze hardened, and he replied, “Can you? I’ve seen what rogue lands do to a wolf like you.” I swear, whatever you’re looking for in satisfaction won’t be worth your life.”

I glared at him, but his words struck a nerve. Maybe he was right, I didn’t know Ryder’s reach, and facing him alone would be reckless. But the idea of staying, of hiding, was giving up on the pain Ryder had left me with.

Thane sighed, seeing my hesitation. “You have to learn patience if you want to survive. Kael brought you here for a reason. “Don’t throw it away so easily.”

I stood there for a moment, unable to decide whether to be angry or to listen to Thane’s logic. I nodded, slowly letting out a slow breath. I didn’t have to give up my desire for revenge, I just had to wait and plan carefully.

Thane turned, gestured for me to follow him back inside with a knowing look. “Come,” he said. “You should see Eldrid’s secrets for more than you’d ever know.”

I followed him back into the castle, a spark of hope so faint it almost didn’t exist. Perhaps Thane was right. Eldrid might be more than just a sanctuary, maybe.