The castle had grown quiet, cloaked in the deep stillness of the late hour. Freya walked slowly down the stone corridor toward her room, her bare feet making no sound. The events of the day still clung to her skin like mist, and as she stepped inside the room, she released a slow breath, brushing her fingers against the smooth wooden door before closing it gently.
She turned toward the mirror, letting her eyes linger on her reflection. Her face was calm, but her thoughts were anything but. She sat by the window where moonlight spilled through the glass, and clutched the pendant around her neck—Miami's gift. With trembling hands, she closed her eyes and whispered, "I hope you're safe… wherever you are. Watch over me… please."
As her silent prayer faded into the night, across the castle, King Sebastian stood by the large window of his chamber, eyes shadowed and haunted. He hadn't slept. He couldn't. The same nightmare had returned—flashes of blood, fire, and a voice he couldn't place, whispering his name with venom. His fists clenched at the windowsill, jaw tight as he fought the restlessness that had plagued him since the funeral.
Even Kael had noticed his unrest but dared not mention it. Not tonight.
Meanwhile, a letter arrived for the king, addressed from Princess Elara. She had traveled with Prince Ronan to his kingdom, attending to matters regarding their upcoming union. In the letter, she promised her swift return and that the wedding preparations would resume the moment she stepped foot back in the castle. It was a necessary absence, but it left a hollow silence in the palace halls.
Back in her room, Freya lay on her bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Thoughts of her maze ordeal, Sebastian's sharp words, and the weight of being a guest—or rather, a captive—pulled at her chest. But she was also curious. About the king. About this place. About why her instincts hadn't screamed for her to run the first chance she got.
And even more quietly than the night itself, a question formed in her heart:
What am I still doing here?