Chapter 3: Whispers Beneath the Moon

The palace by day was loud, polished, and watched. But by night, it exhaled — letting its secrets slip through cracks in stone and locked doors.

Tonight, it smelled of rain and jasmine. The moonlight spilled across the hallways like spilled milk. Silent feet moved across marble floors, one set heading toward the east wing… and one shadow watching from above.

Malach hadn’t slept.

Not since Eliana.

He stood near the open window of his quarters, arms crossed, eyes locked on the garden below. He’d cleaned his armor, sharpened his word — did everything but forget her hands on his skin.

– Malach — Fool.

(Malach muttered to himself)

He turned from the window and reached for the candle to blow it out — but stopped. Voices Faint. Ferminine. Curious.

He stepped silently to his door and cracked it open.

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...Eliana moved though the hallway barefoot, her hair unbound, the hem of her white shift trailing over the floor. A basket of herbs clutched in one hand....

– Eliana — Gods, you’re like a ghost.

(Eliana clutched her chest)

He stepped forward, out of the dark.

– Malach — You didn’t answer my question.

(Malach’s tone was clam, but sharp.)

– Eliana — I couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d dry these before morning.

(Eliana looked down at the basket.)

He glanced at it, then back at her face..

– Malach — You look different.

(Malach said after a pause.)

– Eliana — That a bad thing?

(Eliana smirked slightly.)

– Malach — No.

(Malach said simply.)

She turns and began walking toward the open courtyard. He followed — not because he meant to, but because he couldn’t stop himself.

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The garden was soaked from earlier rain, petals glittering like glass. Eliana knelt beside a stone bench, spreading the herbs carefully.

– Eliana — Do you always stalk women in the middle of the night?

(Eliana asked without looking at him.)

– Malach — Only ones who stitch me up and insult me.

(Malach answered dryly.)

She chuckled. For a moment, the air softened.

– Eliana — Then, you didn’t tell me what happened.

(Eliana asked suddenly, her voice quiet.)

– Malach — In the woods?

(Malach’s voice lowered.)

– Eliana — Yes.

(Eliana nodded, still focused on her herbs.)

He didn’t answer right away.

– Malach — The prince ordered us to slaughter a village. Said they were traitors. But there were no weapons. Just children.

(Malach’s words dropped like stones.)

She looked up sharply, eyes wide.

– Eliana — You didn’t.

(Eliana’s voice cracked.)

– Malach — I refused.

(Malach said.)

Her hands trembled slightly.

– Eliana — And they let you live?

(Eliana’s voice dropped.)

– Malach — Only because I’m the queen’s dog.

(Malach said bitterly.)

She stood ten, slowly, meeting his eyes.

– Eliana — I don’t think you’re anyone’s dog.

(Eliana said softly.)

A beat passed. Too long. Too close.

Then —

Footsteps.

Sharp. Polished. Confident.

They turned at once.

Prince Alaric stepped into moonlight with a predator’s smile, dressed in silver robes that shimmered even in the dark.

– Prince Alaric — I had a feeling I’d find you here.

(Alaric’s voice was smooth and cold.)

– Malach — Your Highness.

(Malach bowed stiffly.)

Eliana didn’t move. Alaric’s gaze

slid to her — slow, heavy, possessive.

– Prince Alaric — Lady Healer. You grace the palace halls like a spirit.

(Prince Alaric said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.)

– Eliana — I didn’t mean to disturb.

(Eliana replied, voice steady.)

– Prince Alaric — You haven’t. In fact, I was hoping to see you again.

(Alaric took a step closer.)

Malach’s jaw clenched.

– Malach — She was just leaving.

(Malach said.)

– Prince Alaric — And you? We’re you escorting her, or indulging in… private lessons?

(Alaric tittles his head, smug.)

Eliana stopped in.

– Eliana — I was tending herbs. Sir Malach was concerned for my safety.

(Her voice held a quiet steel.)

– Prince Alaric — I’m sure.

(Alaric murmured, his eyes now on her lips.)

He reached out, brushing a curl from her face. Malach stepped forward.

– Malach — My prince —

(Malach said tightly.)

– Prince Alaric — Stand down.

(Alaric’s voice dropped into steel.)

For a heartbeat, neither man moved.

Then Malach bowed again, hands trembling behind his back.

– Malach — I’ll walk her back to the healer’s quarters.

(Malach said.)

Alaric looked at him — long and cold.

– Prince Alaric — Do that. And be sure she’s safe… we wouldn’t want any harm to come to something so… rare.

(Alaric turned and walked away, leaving the scent of power and threat behind him.)

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Back in the hall, Eliana’s hands were fists at her side.

- Eliana — He’s dangerous.

(She whispered.)

– Malach — I know.

(Malach said*.)

– Eliana — You stepped toward him.

(Eliana looked up.)

– Malach — I wanted to kill him.

(Malach said plainly.)

She stopped walking. He did too.

– Eliana — Why?

(Eliana asked quietly.)

He looked at her.

– Malach — Because he touched what he shouldn’t.

(Malach replied.)

The silence between them pulsed.

She turned first.

– Eliana — Good night, Air Malach.

(Eliana said gently.)

– Malach — “Malach”

(He said.)

She glanced back, confused.

– Eliana — What?

(Eliana asked.)

– Malach — Just… call me Malach.

(He said softly.)

She smiled. Faint. Sad.

– Eliana — Good night, Malach.

(Eliana whispered.)

And she disappeared into her room, leaving him alone in the corridor. This time, he didn’t sleep.

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