Page 25 of The Last Guardian

A knock resonated at the door, stopping him from strangling me. Father let go of me, giving me a disgusted look.

“Alyana,” Aurora’s voice called through the door. “Are you here?”

A wicked smile played on my father’s lips. “Lucky you, again.” And with this, he walked away, opening the door for Aurora, who had a tray of food in her hands.

Aurora gazed at our father as he passed by her, disappearing into the corridor. Her eyes fell on me in an instant.

Concentrate; bury everything inside. Don’t let anything show on your face, I ordered myself.

Aurora entered the room with a confident stride, glancing around as if the room was hers. A warm, buttery scent of bread lingered in the room as she set the tray on the table.

“Is everything all right?” she asked curtly. But her expression didn’t reflect the bitterness in her voice. A flicker of worry crossed her face.

“Yes, he…” I trailed off, trying to explain what my father could be doing in my room. Everyone here knew he never spoke to me anymore. Ever. “He came to get something.” I forced a smile.

Aurora’s brow furrowed, and her mouth parted, ready to say more, but she reconsidered, pursing her lips. She cleared her throat. “Very well.” Her slender fingers brushed gently against her linen dress, matching the soft blue ribbon that tied back her blond hair. The same shade as the gemstone that hung around her neck. “We haven’t seen you all day, so I’m bringing you something to eat. And with what happened last night…”

“What happened last night?” I asked too quickly, the lie burning on my tongue. I cleared my throat and said, “I don’t remember anything.”

Aurora’s gaze swept over me, narrowing into a sharp scrutinizing glance. “Arthur found you unconscious in the gardens. Did someone attack you, or did you not eat enough?”

I shook my head. “I don’t remember.”

I couldn’t mention Nevan. I preferred to erase his name from my memory.

Stop making everything about yourself, little brat!

Father’s words echoed within me, again and again.

Aurora stared intently at me, a veil of emotion over her face. I could have mistaken it for fear or sadness…

Finally, Aurora said, “Very well. I’ll leave you now. I’ll see you tomorrow morning for the wedding preparation.” She made her way to the door, and before opening it, she added, “Eat a little, alright?”

For a moment, the world stood still. Aurora’s blue eyes glimmered with a hue I hadn’t seen in years—full of love and longing to reach out. But the walls rose in her gaze as quickly as they had fallen moments before. And then she left the room.

NIGHT HAD ALREADY settled; the moonlight had slipped through the palace windows. Candlelight played on the walls, and the only audible sound was my blue gown rustling on the marble floor.

After a warm bath and a few bites of bread, I decided it was time to see Haedeon, despite the fear creeping through my skin.

I hoped he would be helpful. I needed answers. Because of the mark, but also because of what Nevan had said…

You won’t remember, just like always, gorgeous.

I shook my head, chasing away the dark thoughts of last night.

Haedeon stayed in the farthest wing of the palace, adjacent to the King’s Wood. My heart thundered as I made my way there.

For hours, I had hesitated. Was this a good idea? Haedeon had always made me uneasy, but he was a High Mage, one of our protectors.

Since I’d known him, I’d never trusted him, but… perhaps I should have.

I no longer even trusted my own thoughts. In a few hours, I had lost all objectivity, and all that was left were subjective and distorted versions of reality.

The mark… Something about it frightened me. I hoped that the mark and the mention of memory loss wouldn’t lead him to have me hanged for treason against the Empire, nor that he would take me to Edoris.

I needed to trust him; he was the only way.

I approached the door adorned with intricately carved golden lilies and took a deep breath before knocking. No one was around, no guards, no guests—just me.