Chapter 29

The assembly hall was packed with nobles and advisors, their voices buzzing in an undercurrent of discontent. Aeliana stood off to the side, half-hidden behind one of the towering stone columns, watching the tense proceedings unfold. The air was thick with tension, a palpable sense that something was about to snap. Draxis, as always, was at the center of the discord, his sharp features lit by the dim light of the chamber as he spoke with confidence and poise.

It had been days since Draxis's arrival, and in that time, the factions of the empire had grown more brazen. What had started as whispers of doubt had now become openly voiced challenges to Tharx's authority. As Aeliana watched Draxis address the room, it became clear that he was not merely suggesting changes to the empire's military strategy-he was insinuating that Tharx's leadership was compromised, and all because of her.

"And yet, here we stand," Draxis said, his voice carrying easily across the assembly. "Facing rebellion on the borders, unrest in the cities, and an empire that wavers under the weight of its own indecision. I ask you-how can we ensure our survival when our king is... distracted?"

The word "distracted" hung in the air like a sharp blade, and Aeliana could feel the eyes of the nobles flicker toward her, their glances filled with disdain and accusation. Draxis had not mentioned her by name, but there was no need. Everyone in the room understood who he was referring to.

One of Tharx's advisors, Lord Kadrin, stepped forward, his cold gaze fixed on Tharx. "Draxis raises an important point," he said, his voice laced with tension. "There are those among us who wonder if the... outside influences on the king's decisions are clouding his judgment."

There was a murmur of agreement from the assembly, and Aeliana felt the knot in her stomach tighten. Kadrin's words were a thinly veiled threat, a clear warning that her presence was not only unwanted but seen as a danger to Tharx's rule.

Tharx, seated on his throne, his posture rigid and unyielding, remained silent for a long moment, his icy gaze sweeping across the room. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and measured, but there was no mistaking the danger in his tone. "Are you suggesting that I am no longer fit to lead my own empire, Kadrin?"

Kadrin bowed slightly, though there was no humility in the gesture. "I am merely concerned that distractions-such as the human-may be weakening the foundation upon which this empire is built."

The tension in the room thickened as Tharx rose to his feet, his tall frame dominating the space. "Make no mistake," he said, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade. "This empire was built on my strength, and it will be maintained by that strength. Do not presume to question my judgment."

There was a pause as the nobles held their breath, waiting for Tharx's next words. His eyes, however, flickered toward Aeliana for the briefest of moments, and she could see the storm raging behind them-the conflict he struggled to contain. He turned back to the assembly.

"Aeliana's presence is under my protection," Tharx continued, his voice as cold as stone. "Any challenge to her is a challenge to me."

The room fell silent, but Aeliana could feel the tension simmering just beneath the surface. Tharx had made it clear that she was not to be touched, but his declaration only seemed to fan the flames of opposition. As the meeting drew to a close, Draxis's supporters exchanged glances that were filled with unspoken threats. Aeliana knew that Tharx's words, while meant to protect her, had only served to make her position even more precarious.

Later that day, as she walked through one of the fortress's courtyards, flanked by two guards who had been newly assigned to her, Aeliana couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It wasn't just the presence of the guards, either. She had noticed the way the palace staff had started avoiding her, how the courtiers and nobles would turn away whenever she approached, their gazes lingering with suspicion and resentment.

The added security only served to fuel rumors about her importance. Some whispered that she held sway over Tharx's mind, that she had manipulated him into keeping her close. Others speculated that she had become more than just his prisoner-that she had become his weakness.

But there was something else, something more dangerous in the air. The tension in the court was reaching a breaking point, and Aeliana feared that it wouldn't be long before someone decided to act on their doubts.

She was about to return to her chambers when it happened. There was a sudden, sharp whistle in the air-the sound of something cutting through the wind. Her body reacted before her mind could catch up, instinct driving her to duck as a sharp object flew past, embedding itself into the stone pillar behind her.

An arrow.

Aeliana's heart slammed against her chest as the guards reacted, their weapons drawn as they scanned the area. A second arrow shot toward her, but one of the guards grabbed her, pulling her to safety behind a stone wall just as it whizzed by, narrowly missing her head.

"Stay down!" the guard barked, his eyes darting around the courtyard.

Aeliana's mind raced. Someone had tried to kill her, and it hadn't been subtle. Whoever had fired those arrows wanted to make a statement-a clear message that her life was in danger. Her body trembled, the adrenaline rushing through her veins as she tried to calm her breathing.

Footsteps echoed through the courtyard as more guards rushed in, forming a protective circle around her. The assassin was nowhere to be seen, but the message had been delivered. She wasn't safe, not even within the walls of the fortress.

That evening, Tharx summoned her to his chambers, his expression dark and unreadable as she entered. The room was dimly lit, the shadows casting long lines across his face, making him look more severe than usual.

"Another assassination attempt," he said quietly, his voice tight with controlled anger. "They grow bolder."

Aeliana could see the tension in his posture, the way his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "They're not going to stop, are they?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Not until..."

"Not until you're dead," Tharx finished, his voice rough. His gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, the mask of the cold, untouchable king slipped, revealing something more raw, more vulnerable. Fear.

Her chest tightened. "I'm not worth this risk, Tharx," she said, her voice shaking with a mix of frustration and fear. "You know they're using me to get to you. Maybe it would be better if I-"

"Enough," Tharx growled, cutting her off. He stepped toward her, his eyes flashing with anger. "You think I would allow them to succeed? Do not underestimate my resolve, Aeliana."

"I'm not underestimating you," she snapped back, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "I'm saying that maybe this isn't worth it. Maybe I'm not worth it."

Tharx's expression darkened further, but there was something else there-something that hadn't been there before. Fear. She had seen it, even if he tried to hide it. The real reason for his anger wasn't just the attack itself-it was the fear of losing her.

"I am the king," he said, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "And I decide what is worth protecting."

They stood in silence for what felt like an eternity, the air between them heavy with unspoken emotions. Aeliana could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her pulse quickening as Tharx's eyes bore into hers. His anger, his frustration, his fear-it was all there, just beneath the surface.

But just as quickly as the moment had come, it passed. Tharx turned away, his posture once again becoming rigid and distant. "I have assigned more guards to you," he said, his voice cold once more. "You will not be left alone until this threat is dealt with."

Aeliana clenched her fists at her sides, knowing that the extra protection would only serve to make her more of a target. The walls of the fortress were closing in, and with each passing day, it seemed as though there was no escape from the dangers that surrounded her.

But one thing was clear: Tharx cared-even if he couldn't bring himself to admit it. And that frightened him more than any assassin ever could.

"Tharx," she said softly, but he didn't respond. His back was still turned, his body tense with the weight of everything unsaid.

She left his chambers that night feeling more isolated than ever, the threat of rebellion looming over her like a storm cloud. She didn't know how long she could survive in this world, but for now, she would have to keep moving forward, caught between the veiled threats of the court and the unspoken connection that bound her to the king.