Chapter 1: The Ball

The ballroom shimmered under the light of a thousand crystal chandeliers. Princess Elira of Lyeria stood at the center of the grand festivities, her emerald gown flowing around her like a river of silk. Music swirled in the air, a lively waltz played by the royal orchestra, but the smile she wore was forced. Her heartfelt heavy beneath the weight of expectations.

The engagement to Prince Alden was supposed to bring peace between the kingdoms of Lyeria and Vareth. But to Elira, it felt like shackles tightening around her freedom. Her father, King Roderic, had made it clear: duty came before desire.

Elira glanced around the room, seeking solace in familiar faces, but instead, her gaze locked on a stranger. He stood near the edge of the crowd, dressed in dark, elegant attire that seemed at odds with the vibrant colors of the ball. His presence was magnetic, his crimson eyes sharp as they fixed on her. A chill ran down her spine, but she quickly looked away, dismissing the unease.

She didn’t know that her life was about to change forever.The night carried on, and Elira found herself retreating to the palace gardens for a moment of quiet. The air was crisp, the scent of roses mingling with the cool breeze. She leaned against the marble railing, gazing up at the stars.

“Princess Elira,” a voice called from behind her. She turned, startled, and found herself face-to-face with the stranger from the ballroom. Up close, he was even more striking, his angular features framed by jet-black hair.“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” she said cautiously, stepping back.

His lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I don’t believe we’ll have time for introductions.”

Before she could react, he moved with inhuman speed. Elira barely had time to scream as his hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her cry.“Quiet, or you’ll regret it,” he growled, his voice low and commanding.

But Elira wasn’t the kind to submit easily. She bit down on his hand, hard enough to draw blood, and he hissed in pain, loosening his grip. She broke free and bolted toward the palace, her voice ringing out in the night.

“Help! Someone, help me!”

Her silk slippers slapped against the cobblestone path as she ran, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear him behind her, his footsteps eerily quiet but unrelenting. She screamed again, desperate for anyone to hear her, but the gardens were secluded, far from the ball.The stranger caught up with her in moments, his hand snatching her wrist with a grip like iron. Elira twisted and kicked, landing a sharp blow to his shin. He stumbled, but his hold didn’t falter.

“Stop fighting,” he snarled, his crimson eyes blazing in the moonlight. “You’re only making this harder for yourself.”

“I’ll never go with you!” she shouted, raking her nails across his face. She felt the sting of his skin beneath her fingers, but he didn’t flinch.

Elira’s struggles didn’t cease. She clawed, kicked, and screamed, refusing to give in. Her persistence seemed to amuse him. “You have spirit,” he muttered, almost to himself. “But it won’t save you.”

In a swift motion, he pulled her close and pressed something cold and sharp to her neck—a dagger, ornate and deadly. Elira froze, her breath hitching.

“That’s better,” he said, his voice a low growl. “Now, you’re coming with me, whether you like it or not.”Elira glared at him, tears stinging her eyes. “You won’t get away with this. My guards will find me. My father will hunt you down.”

The stranger chuckled darkly. “Let them come. They’ll find nothing but ashes.”

Before she could respond, he wrapped an arm around her waist and leapt into the air, the world blurring around her as the ground disappeared beneath her feet.

Elira screamed again, the sound swallowed by the rushing wind.

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