"No," I admitted, breathing heavily. "But her presence – it's her presence that lets me know. It keeps poking at the monster. And her music… it's like a melody for that thing. I was suffocating in there and no one else was. Everyone seemed to be enjoying except me. It was like she had her claws on my throat, cutting off the air."
I swore inwardly. The sight of him like this… it broke me. So I stood, pulling him up with me. “Let’s go to your room, love, we’ll talk there.”
I let her lead me on, Key shrinking so he could lie on my head. Once we were in my room, I almost collapsed on the floor. Closing my eyes, I sat down on the bed, breathing heavily.
"I wanted to offer her my seat," I confessed. "A Prince's seat. I wanted to pull the King off of his throne so she could sit there. The second I saw her, that's what I felt."
Nausea overtook me. “Oh, god…” I balled my hands into fists, but somehow, I just couldn’t link the sweetfaced musicuan with Colton’s terrifying puppeteer. “Colton—do you think she’s messing with your head? Making you believe the musician is her just to torment you? Or is she real?”
"I don't know," I admitted, head bowed down. "Whatever it is, I can't fight it. I can't fight the urge to kneel before her. If Ariadne is truly her, I will never be able to hurt her as long as she controls my mind."
I crossed the room to him in three swift steps, tugged him down onto the bed, and pulled his head against my chest in a comforting embrace. “Breathe… it’s all going to work out. She’s probably just trying to mess with you.. and if she’s not, we’ll burn that bridge when we get to it.”
I breathed her in, curling up against her. Wrapped up in Elle’s embrace always brought me calm.
“What if I can’t fight against her?” I found myself whispering. “I don’t want to fail.”
My arms tightened around him. “You won’t fail..” I murmured, but my voice was firm and assured. “I know you won’t. I believe in you, and you need to start doing the same, or this task will be virtually impossible. I promise that I’ll be with you every second of the way, but you need to support yourself as well.”
“Thank you for believing in me,” I breathed in deeply. “Stay here with me. Away from that witch. Whatever you do, don’t ever stay in the same room as her.”
I nodded, then frowned. “What about mealtimes?”
“That can’t be avoided,” I murmured. “The King would be there. Whatever the reason she’s here, she cannot risk getting caught.”
I nodded slowly. “Right, okay. Sounds good. Is—Is there anything I can do for you right now?”
“Just stay,” I told her. “Stay with me. That’s all you need to do.”
“Always,” I answered softly, pressing kisses to his temple. “Always, always, always.”
I wrapped my arms around her tighter, this time pulling her into my chest.
“I love you,” I kissed her on the forehead. “Forever and always.”
I burrowed deeper into his arms. “And I, you..”
[Time Skip: One Day]
Colton’s POV:
After yesterday, I tried my best to avoid the dining hall in fear of running into the musician. It was silly of me to do that, but I just couldn’t be in her presence without the monster in me raging to obey.
I checked my pockets before I frowned. I’d forgotten one of my mediums in class. Shaking my head, I walked back into the classroom and opened the door before I froze. There she was, Ariadne, standing inside as if she was waiting for someone.
The monster inside me jumped with excitement.
Ariadne's POV
It was early in the evening when the pieces of my plan, of the second stage, began to fall into place. As I had previously planned, I was waiting in the one of the newer teacher's classrooms, under the guise of needing something from him. Naturally, though, I wasn't here for Altair. I was here for someone very different…..
Colton Miller. I ran my nail down the length of the desk before me. Crown Prince, heir to the throne. A mere pawn in this centuries-old game of chess.
As if summoned by my thoughts, the Prince stepped through the partially-open door. His body went rigid. My eyes widened ever-so-slightly in excitement, the ghost of a smile on my lips. "Your Highness."
No. No. Please.
Oh, yes, the evil inside of me snarled, laughter resonating through me. I swallowed thickly, trying to contain it.
“Ariadne,” I greeted the woman before me, her icy eyes on me, the excitement barely masked. “I didn’t think musicians were welcomed in a teacher’s classroom.”
That’s right. Remain calm. Do not show her that you are terrified. Do not show her anything but the hardness in your eyes.
I dipped into an elegant curtsy before straightening my back with all the poise and grace of a dancer.
"I have something to ask of Mr. Altair, Your Highness." My lips curved into a subtle yet entrancing smile.
I crossed my hands behind me, but they were clenched tightly.
“You,” I released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “What is your purpose in coming here?”
I tilted my head to one side, playing the part of the oblivious young woman.
"I'm not sure I understand your question, sir. The King requested I play for the students, that's all."
I ran a hand through my hair.
“The music you played,” I continued, hardening my eyes. Why was she playing like she was oblivious? Why not get straight to the point? “What kind kf magic did you put into it? What’s your purpose?”
I allowed my expression to sweeten and fill with confusion. Smart boy….
"I'm non-magical, Your Highness." My eyes flickered purposely away. "No woman may partake in the Oath, therefore I have no bondmate and no magic. My music is simply that, music, and my purpose is to alleviate as much stress as possible with it during mealtimes."
I growled, losing my cool.
“I know you,” I hissed, clenching my fists. “I remember the sound of your voice, the feeling of your filthy hands as you robbed me of my sanity. What do you want from me?”
The falsified smile faltered (on purpose, of course) and dissipated entirely, replaced by a look of innocent and very confused fear. "Prince Colton?" I took a small step back. "Are—Are you alright? I don't know what you're talking about, I'm sorry… I've never met you in my life."
Oh my God. She was going to pretend to be innocent. She was going to pretend that she wasn’t that witch who had stolen my humanity—who had made me nearly hurt my Elle.
“You—“
“Is everything all right here?” A voice clipped from behind me and I immediately fixed my expression, turning around to find the normally pleasant and gentle face twisted in a glare. It wasn’t aimed at me, no. It was aimed at the monster pretending to be a musician.
I offered the teacher a sweet, confused look.
"Yes, sir, everything is quite alright." My hands lifted in a slightly helpless gesture.
“It baffles me how a mere musician like yourself speaks to the Crown Prince like that,” Altair furrowed his eyebrows. “You should leave. Whatever business you have, ask for a meeting first.”
"With all due respect, sir," I answered politely, moving towards the door. "You were not here to listen to our conversation. I do not believe that I am at fault."
I was gone with a respectful bow of my head before either of them could protest.