My heart pounded in my chest as Pan and I rushed through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, our footsteps echoing with urgency. The air crackled with tension as we navigated the twisting passages, the sense of danger growing with each step.
"Seraphina..." I whispered, my voice tinged with worry. "Who would do something so dreadful?"
I hadn’t meant to ask the question out loud, and I certainly didn’t expect an answer, but Pan surprised me.
"I don't know.” Pan's jaw tightened, his usually playful demeanor replaced with a grave expression. “Seraphina was a member of this court, and her death will send shockwaves through the Fae realm.”
As we rounded the final corner, the sound of muffled voices and gasps reached our ears, and we burst into the ballroom. The scene that greeted us was one of chaos and despair.
The once joyful atmosphere was replaced with fear and grief. Fae nobles huddled in small groups, whispering in hushed tones, while others stared in shock at the lifeless form lying on the marble floor.
Seraphina, once the epitome of grace and elegance and bitchiness, now lay motionless, her regal gown stained with crimson.
Pan's eyes met mine, and I saw the hooded curiosity in his gaze. Without a word, we approached Seraphina's lifeless form, determined to find answers.
Pan knelt beside her, his fingers brushing a lock of hair from her face. "Who could have done this?" he murmured, his voice flat, almost clinical.
My mind raced with possibilities, my instincts sharpening as I scanned the room for any clues. "There must have been witnesses," I said, my voice firm. "Someone must have seen something."
If anyone thought it strange Pan and I came in together, no one dared mention it.
A Fae noble stepped forward, their face pale with shock. "I saw a figure, cloaked in darkness, slip away just moments before we found her," he said, his voice trembling. "I couldn't see their face, but they moved with an unnatural grace, like a shadow."
Pan shifted his eyes over to me, lingering. Knowing. "An assassin," he said grimly. "But who would want Her Grace dead?"
My mind raced, connecting the dots. I knew what he was thinking, that I was somehow behind this. "Perhaps someone who seeks to destabilize the court," I suggested. "Seraphina was a duchess, and her death could incite chaos among the nobles."
"We need to find this assassin and bring them to justice," he said firmly. “And once we have them, the consequences will be dire.”
Another lingering stare.
“Porley,” he called. “I want everyone in this room questioned. Take the mortal and place her in my room. I would like to question her myself alone.”
Porley, one of Pan's guards, stood at attention by the entrance, his tall, lean frame exuding an air of quiet authority. His eyes, a deep shade of emerald, were sharp and observant, like those of a hawk assessing its prey. The flickering torchlight cast shadows on his chiseled features.
He wore the traditional uniform of the Fae guards, adorned with intricate patterns and symbols that marked him as part of Pan's elite. A silver brooch in the shape of a crescent moon adorned his cloak, a symbol of his loyalty to the Prince.
Porley's demeanor was stoic, giving away little of his thoughts or emotions. But there was an underlying intensity in his gaze, a sense of unwavering commitment to his duty and the protection of the Fae realm.
“But Sire –”
“Prince, I don’t think –”
“It isn’t prudent –”
The entirety of his advisors sputtered suggestions, some even going as far as to order Pan to do something, anything, but whatever he had planned for me.
My heart stuttered in my chest.
He knew.
He wasn’t just guessing.
He knew I was sent to kill him.
But how?
And he was going to kill me so no one could see. He was going to get rid of me and no one would know.
As Porley grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not painful – yet, I felt a flicker of unease.
What was he going to do to me?
Would he kill me? Really?
Probably.
If he thought I was somehow responsible for Seraphina, he most certainly would.
But I was in his study. There was no way –
Maybe this was something else?
But no.
I knew he knew. Now, it was just a matter of what he intended to do about it.
"Miss Darling," he said, his voice smooth and measured. "If you would please refrain from struggling, it would make things easier on both of us."
His tone was respectful but carried an air of authority that brooked no argument. I nodded, my heart still pounding with trepidation, and trailed after him through the dimly lit halls of the palace.
As we walked, I couldn't help but steal occasional glances at Porley. There was a quiet strength about him, a sense that he had seen and experienced much in the Fae realm. It was as if he held a wealth of secrets, hidden behind the façade of his stoic demeanor.
He guided me through the twisting passages with a familiarity that spoke of his long service to Pan. Every now and then, his gaze would briefly meet mine, and there was a depth in his eyes that intrigued me.
Upon reaching Pan's bedroom, Porley gestured for me to enter. "Prince Pan will be with you shortly," he said, his voice steady. “I’ll be right outside. Please don’t escape. I don’t want to damage your weak, mortal body.”
I inwardly rolled my eyes but nodded nonetheless. I tried to quell the mixture of nerves and curiosity swirling within me. As the door closed behind me, leaving me alone in Pan's personal quarters, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to me now.
Stepping into Pan's private quarters, I was immediately enveloped in an aura of enchantment and allure. The room exuded an air of regal elegance and mystery, reflecting the enigmatic nature of the Fae Prince himself.
The walls held more tapestries, more intricate patterns and symbols woven into the fabric, hinting at hidden meanings and ancient magic.
A large canopy bed dominated one corner of the room, its posts adorned with twisting vines and delicate blossoms that seemed to come alive in the dim candlelight. The canopy itself was draped with ethereal fabrics that cascaded like a waterfall, creating an intimate sanctuary that beckoned to the realm of dreams.
The room was bathed in a soft, golden glow, emanating from an array of ornate candelabras strategically placed throughout the space. Their flickering flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, adding to the mystique of the room.
In the center of the chamber, an intricately carved desk stood as a testament to Pan's pursuits of knowledge and wisdom. Ancient tomes and scrolls were scattered across the desk, evidence of his insatiable curiosity about the world beyond.
Adorning the walls were various art pieces and artifacts, collected from the far reaches of the Fae realm and beyond. Elaborate masks and sculptures of mythical creatures graced the shelves, each telling a story of a distant land or a forgotten legend.
A large, ornate mirror hung on one wall, reflecting a distorted image of the room and adding an otherworldly touch to the surroundings. It felt as if the mirror held a secret, as if it could reveal hidden truths and glimpses of worlds unseen.
Nearby, a luxurious chaise lounge invited me to rest, its plush cushions promising comfort and respite. It seemed like the perfect spot to lose oneself in the pages of a captivating book or to surrender to the enchanting melodies of the Fae realm.
The atmosphere was a blend of opulence and natural beauty, mirroring Pan's deep connection to the realms of both the Fae and the mortal world. It was as if the room itself held the secrets of the universe, its every detail a reflection of the Prince who called it his own.
As I took in the sight, I couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and trepidation. Pan's private quarters were a testament to his multifaceted nature, a space where the mysteries of his home and the depths of his soul intertwined in an intricate dance of secrets and revelations. It was a room that begged to be explored, but right now, I needed a weapon – something I could use to end Pan before he ended me.
The scissors wouldn’t work.
My heart raced in my chest as I stood alone in Pan's private quarters, the weight of my mission pressing heavily upon me. I knew I had to be cautious, to stay one step ahead of him, but I had no weapon to defend myself if things turned sour. The urgency to find something, anything, that could aid me in my plight took hold of my senses.
My eyes darted around the opulent room, searching for a hidden drawer or compartment that might hold something. The soft glow of the candlelight seemed to cast shadows that concealed secrets and possibilities, but time was slipping away, and I couldn't afford to be caught off guard.
I approached the ornate desk, its surface scattered with ancient tomes and scrolls. My fingers grazed the edges of the leather-bound books, hoping to find a hidden compartment containing something that could serve as a weapon. But the desk revealed no secrets to me, its contents merely offering glimpses into Pan's insatiable thirst for knowledge.
I moved to the grand canopy bed, running my hands over the intricately woven fabric that cascaded like a waterfall around it. Perhaps a concealed dagger or a small vial of poison could be hidden amidst the lavish drapery. Yet, as I searched, I found nothing but the beauty that enveloped the bed.
Time was slipping away, and my heart pounded in my ears as I grew more desperate. The room's enigmatic ambiance seemed to mock my futile attempts to find a weapon, but I couldn't give up. I needed Pan dead.
In my frantic search, my gaze landed on a display of intricately carved masks hanging on the wall. An idea sparked in my mind. Could one of these masks hide a weapon? I reached for the first one, examining it closely. But as I carefully lifted it from its place, I realized it was nothing more than a beautifully crafted piece of art.
Defeat threatened to wash over me, but I couldn't afford to lose hope. My eyes continued to scan the room, searching for any potential tool to aid me in my desperate quest.
And then, as if fate intervened, my gaze fell upon a seemingly ordinary-looking staff standing in the corner of the room. It was carved from an ancient tree branch, its surface adorned with delicate symbols that hinted at its magical origins.
With trembling hands, I reached for the staff, feeling a surge of hope course through me. It might not be a traditional weapon, but it could be the means to tip the scales in my favor.
As I clasped the staff tightly, I could hear approaching footsteps outside the door. Pan was coming. There was no time to waste.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. Clutching the staff tightly, I prepared to face Pan.
The door suddenly swung open, revealing the Fae Prince himself. His piercing emerald eyes locked onto me, and a playful smile curved his lips. I couldn't help but feel a mixture of nerves and determination as he took in the sight of me clutching the seemingly insignificant staff.
"Well, well, well," Pan purred, his voice laced with amusement. "What have we here? Do you truly believe that a little staff will be enough to protect you from me, mortal?"
I tried to steady my voice, my grip on the staff tightening. "I wasn’t sure what to expect since you’ve imprisoned me," I said, attempting to sound more confident than I felt.
Pan's smirk only widened as he sauntered closer, his steps graceful and effortless. "Oh, how adorable," he chuckled softly. "You truly think you stand a chance against me? You're just a mortal girl, after all."
The weight of his words stung, but I refused to back down. I held the staff in front of me, my stance resolute. "I may be mortal, but I'm not defenseless," I retorted, trying to ignore the doubt gnawing at the back of my mind.
Pan's eyes sparkled with mischief as he circled me like a predator taunting its prey. "I do love a good challenge," he mused. "But I hope you realize that your little staff won't save you from my magic."
He snapped his fingers, and a flicker of green light danced around his hand. In an instant, the staff was wrenched from my grasp, floating effortlessly towards him as if pulled by an invisible force.
I gritted my teeth, refusing to show any sign of weakness. "Fine," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "Clearly you’re scared of a little mortal or else you would have fought me.”
Pan's expression darkened for a moment before he masked it with his signature smirk. “What is it you want?” he asked.
“I didn’t kill Seraphina,” I insisted.
“That wasn’t what I asked,” he replied. “You want something. It’s why you’re here.” He stepped closer. “Why don’t we make a deal, hmm?”
My skin prickled. A deal with a Fae was tantamount to signing my life away. “I’ll let you have what you want, and you’ll be my mortal pet. You’ll be out of the competition. You’ll do exactly what I say –”
I scrunched up my nose.
He rolled his eyes. “Trust me,” he said. “I would never lay with a mortal.” His eyes flickered up and down my body. “I don’t know where you’ve been.”
“And if I want to kill you?” I asked.
He flashed his teeth. “Then, I’ll give you the opportunity,” he said. “Here.”
He handed me the staff.
I shouldn’t consider this. There had to be some kind of trick here.
“And if I refuse?” I asked.
“Not only will you be penalized, but that little group you live with in the Blood Forest will be arrested and tried for breaking the Never Glass,” he said. “What? You think I don’t know? The second your name was drawn, I found out everything I could about you. But perhaps you aren’t here to kill me. Perhaps…perhaps you’re here to find out what happened to your brothers.”
My eyes widened.
"Ah, the ever-curious mortal," he continued. "Your brothers' disappearance is a fascinating tale, one that you might not be ready to hear."
Anger surged within me, but I fought to keep it in check. Pan was a master manipulator, and I wouldn't let him push my buttons. He wanted a reaction. I wouldn’t give him one.
“Well?” He arched a brow. “Do we have a deal?”