Chapter 13

It did not take Azmeera long to fall back in love with Meera and Henry's orchestrated love story. After the war, the people craved the narrative the couple was skillfully selling. The tension that had gripped the palace eased as the popularity of Meera and Henry's supposed love story spread throughout the kingdom. Their romance became a welcomed distraction from the looming trial and the ever-present red sails at Azmeera's harbor, symbols of the impending threat from Eryx and the Voreans.

Meera and Henry had everyone in the kingdom captivated, with their every move carefully calculated and staged. Their public appearances were a spectacle, filled with coy glances, tender touches, and the occasional strolls around the beach with arms wrapped around one another. The people of Azmeera found solace and joy in the fairy tale unfolding before them, and the couple seemed to have everyone eating out of their palms. However, amid the adoration and applause from the kingdom, one observer remained unimpressed. Eryx...

He watched with a cold amusement as Meera and Henry played their roles, fully aware of the calculated performance. His eyes, like those of a predatory beast, followed their every move with a mix of disdain and curiosity. While the kingdom reveled in the love story, Eryx maintained a watchful distance.

One serene afternoon, with the sun casting a golden glow over the azure waters, Meera and Henry leisurely strolled along the shores, leaving imprints on the soft sand and collecting delicate seashells scattered along the beach. The air was filled with the gentle melody of waves crashing against the shore, creating a picturesque backdrop for the couple's romantic escapade.

As Meera and Henry enjoyed their peaceful walk, a subtle tension lingered in the air. Meera's keen eyes spotted Eryx, casually leaning against the steps of the temple, a small smirk playing on his lips. His silver eyes, vibrant and unwavering, fixated on Meera with a gaze filled with both amusement and challenge. Suppressing her disdain, Meera turned away, distracting herself by handing Henry a shell she had picked up from the sand.

Henry, perceptive to the undercurrents around them, spoke softly, "I don't think we have him fooled."

Meera, still avoiding Eryx's gaze, replied with determination, "He's the last person we need to convince of anything." Placing her hand over Henry's beating heart, she leaned in closer.

But the tranquility of the moment was disrupted when Henry's gaze shifted over Meera's shoulder, his expression changing.

"He's coming over," he whispered. "He's looking at you."

Meera's heart quickened, the rhythmic sound echoing in her ears. "Put your arms around me," she commanded. Henry immediately complied, draping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close. Meera buried her face in the fabric of his shirt, catching the familiar scent of pine and cedarwood—a fragrance she came to understand belonged only to Eryx.

As Eryx approached, Meera strained to control her emotions. She swore she felt the warmth of his body as he walked past them, the encounter passing without a single glance in their direction. The tension lingered, and Meera couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that Eryx was playing a game of his own, one that extended beyond the facade of their staged love story.

Despite Henry and Mila's attempts to avoid Eryx, he continued to appear seemingly out of nowhere, a constant presence to mock them. Meera, determined to master the art of ignoring his existence, found herself growing adept at dismissing his taunts—until the day of the trial arrived.

Ozmen had emphasized the importance of Meera's presence at the trial, painting a picture of a supportive fiancée standing by Henry's side, her eyes brimming with tears and her nose reddened from constant dabbing with a handkerchief. However, as the trial unfolded and damning evidence piled up against Henry, Meera remained an impassive figure.

Seated with a cold and unyielding demeanor, Meera's heart had turned to stone. She listened to the accounts of witnesses who described Henry's ruthless commands to drag women and young girls from their homes, tying them to posts. The courtroom echoed with the haunting tales, and Meera's insides churned with a mixture of disgust and dread.

Her hands, gripping the edges of her seat, trembled with suppressed fury. The vivid images of the women's screams played in Meera's mind, fueling the fire of her rage. The mere thought of Henry touching her, ever again, invoked a visceral reaction, making her feel sick to her core.

As Henry's actions unfolded before her, Meera's anger burned like a smoldering flame, threatening to erupt into a blaze. The desire to reach across the pews and wrap her hands around Henry's throat intensified. The once-thought-of union with him now seemed repulsive, and Meera's complexion paled at the very idea of sharing any connection with the man on trial for such heinous crimes.

"I won't let anything happen to you."

Meera's head snapped up, startled, as Eryx's voice echoed in her mind, reminiscent of that night they first met. She flinched, her eyes scanning the throne room until they landed on Eryx, seated directly across from her. His intense gaze was fixed on her face, observing her reactions to every word spoken about Henry's crimes. Eryx watched as Meera paled, sensing the fear that rampaged through her.

Baffled by how Eryx could communicate with her mind, Meera's eyes narrowed with curiosity. She peered at him, her face etched with a blend of wonder and suspicion. In that silent exchange of gazes, Meera felt as though Eryx could decipher every unspoken thought she harbored. The air between them crackled with an unspoken connection.

As their eyes locked, Meera couldn't shake the feeling that Eryx was privy to the questions swirling in her mind. In response, he held back a small smile, teasing and mysterious. Lifted fingers traced the outline of a moon in the air, a symbol laden with significance.

"Two sides..." Eryx's voice resonated in her mind once more. "Same moon."

As the trial unfolded, Meera found herself ensnared in a web of emotions—disgust at the heinous crimes laid bare, dread as the witnesses recounted the horrors, and an unsettling curiosity about Eryx's mysterious abilities that seemed to invade her thoughts.

Unable to bear the weight of the revelations and the enigma that surrounded Eryx, Meera's chest tightened with an overwhelming sense of unease. She rose from her seat without uttering a single word, her eyes reflecting a turmoil of emotions.

Meera rose to her feet with her knees weak and turned towards the door. She hurried out of the room, leaving behind a puzzled Marcella and Iris. The air was poisonous to Meera as she placed a hand over her tight chest, hoping to catch some fresh breeze. Marcella exchanged a concerned glance with her mother, both questioning where Meera was headed and what turmoil had driven her to leave the proceedings.

Meera walked out into the quiet corridors, the coolness of the stone walls offering momentary relief from the intensity of the trial. Leaning against the wall, Meera closed her eyes, attempting to catch her breath. The silence surrounding her felt both comforting and suffocating, a paradoxical mixture that mirrored the conflicting emotions within her. Fear gnawed at her, not just for the unfolding events of Henry's trial but for the secret she harbored.

She couldn't shake the haunting thought that her family would disown her if they discovered the truth about the inexplicable connection she shared with the sea The burden of keeping this hidden truth threatened to crush her, and tears welled up, threatening to cascade down her cheeks.

In the midst of her vulnerability, Meera felt a subtle shift in the air. A presence, both familiar and unsettling, made itself known. Opening her eyes, she found Eryx standing before her, his silver gaze locked onto her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

Upon seeing him, Meera's anger and frustration surged through her veins like molten lava, threatening to consume her from the inside out. Eryx's ominous presence ignited a flame of resentment within her.

"What do you want?" Meera's words dripped with the venom of her frustration, her teeth clenched to contain the storm within.

"You shouldn't have come to the trial."

Eryx's response, a mixture of grimness and concern, only fueled the raging fire within her.

"A trial you brought to my doorsteps," Meera seethed, the bitterness evident in every syllable.

"He has to pay for what he did, M," Eryx explained, his words echoing with a sense of duty.

"Stop calling me that!"

Meera's restraint shattered. She pushed off the wall and shoved Eryx with a force that surprised them both. The shove was a physical manifestation of her frustration, a desperate attempt to push him away, to distance herself from the chaos he had unleashed upon her world. The air crackled with tension as Meera grappled with the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume her.

"You can't have what you want, Eryx," Meera asserted, her voice cutting through the charged atmosphere with determination.

As Meera's tearful words hung in the air, a crack appeared in Eryx's composed demeanor. For the first time since their tumultuous encounter began, a fleeting glimpse of sorrow traversed his eyes. It was a subtle shift, a moment that left Meera questioning whether she had glimpsed his genuine emotions or merely projected her desires onto his enigmatic facade.

Eryx, despite the gravity of her words, looked up to meet her gaze. There was a palpable intensity in the air as their eyes locked in a silent exchange.

"Don't you think I know that?"

Eryx's response held a raw honesty that resonated with Meera's own struggles.

Meera swallowed hard, the lump in her throat making her voice tremble as Eryx took a step forward.

"Everything I ever wanted is right in front of me," Eryx confessed, his gaze roaming over Meera's tear-streaked face. "But I have to watch her from afar."

"You don't seem like the type of man to let anything stop you from getting what you want," Meera shook her head. "What's so different this time? Why this game?"

The corner of Eryx's lips curved up but it didn't reach his eyes. He lifted his hand and slowly pushed back a few strands of Meera's dark hair.

"There are rules, Your Highness," he said.

"You follow rules?" Meera chuckled without humor.

"Yes," Eryx said, his hand still playing with her hair. "Rules far more ancient then you and I or any stone in the castle."

Meera's breath slowly caught in her throat. She peered up at Eryx as he took another step closer.

"Rules created in the celestial realms," Eryx said. "Rules and laws tracing back to the very origins of our kind. Not even I can defy them."

"Do your rules permit you to raise havoc on my life?" Meera challenged.

"No," Eryx shook his head. "But unfortunately, they do permit me to take all actions necessary to keep you next to me."

"This is all too much," Meera spoke, her voice barely audible. "I need time to understand everything you keep telling me."

"How much time?" Eryx asked.

"I don't know," Meera pushed aside his hand and stepped away. "I can't think, I can't breathe. It's as if my life as completely spiraled out of my control and I can't seem to do anything to stop it."

"Will you let me help you?" Eryx asked, turning to look at her as Meera paced the floor.

"How?" Meera rolled her eyes. "How can you possibly help me?"

"I can stop the trial," Eryx spoke, his words making Meera still. He waited until she looked at him to continue. "I'll take back the complaints and Henry will be free to go."

"At what cost?" Meera asked, wary of his motives.

"You tell them you want to come with me," Eryx declared.

"Why would I do that?" Meera countered.

"So that I can help you," Eryx said, his voice showing hints of desperation Meera hadn't heard before. "Every day that we spent here is a day wasted. You have so much to learn and so much to train for."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Meera asked, her voice matching the desperation in Eryx's. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"Meera, I would lay down my life for you," Eryx said, his eyes full of conviction that made Meera's heart stumble. "I wish you would see and acknowledge the obvious pull we have towards one another. Why do you keep denying it?"

"Because I don't know you!" Meera explained. "You can't just come into my life and expect me to leave everything behind for you."

"What can I do?" Eryx asked. "What can I do to prove to you that we're inseparable?"

Meera, her head pounding and emotions in disarray, could only offer a frustrated sigh, "I don't know."

"Well, when you figure it out, let me know," Eryx said, his desperation melting into anger and frustration.

Meera didn't know what to say as Eryx turned on his feet and marched off.

____________

As night fell after a long and dreadful day, Meera found no refuge in the embrace of sleep. The events of the trial and Eryx's haunting words replayed in her mind like a relentless loop. Tossing and turning in her bed, Meera felt a peculiar sensation of being simultaneously too hot and too cold, as if her internal struggle manifested in the battle of temperatures.

The room seemed to close in on her, the weight of her decisions bearing down. As beads of perspiration formed on her forehead, Meera's body trembled with an inexplicable chill. The air in the room felt thick with tension, and her racing thoughts only intensified the oppressive atmosphere.

Amidst the restless night, a distant sound reached Meera's ears. The gentle calling of the sea and the rhythmic waves seemed to whisper her name, inviting her to find solace in the vast expanse of the ocean. The pull of the sea was undeniable, a beckoning melody that resonated with the turmoil within her.

Compelled by an unseen force, Meera rose from her bed, drawn to the siren song of the sea. The cool marble beneath her feet provided a stark contrast to the feverish heat that enveloped her. With each step, the lulling sound of the waves grew louder, drowning out the noise of her troubled thoughts.

As she reached the balcony, the sea unveiled itself before her, a vast expanse of moonlit waves dancing beneath the stars. The cool breeze brushed against her flushed skin, offering a fleeting reprieve from the internal conflict that raged within.

With a heart heavy and a mind restless, Meera stood with her hands gripping the railing. As her eyes scanned the palace grounds below, she caught sight of an unexpected gathering. Eryx, Ozmen, Neftali, and Darwin were engaged in conversation, their figures outlined by the soft glow of the moonlight.

Eryx seemed to radiate a magnetic pull that drew Meera's gaze. In that moment, as if sensing her eyes upon him, he looked up. Their eyes locked, and a current of understanding passed between them, transcending the distance that separated the balcony from the courtyard below.

Meera's heart quickened. A silent question seemed to linger in Eryx's gaze, asking her why she was so restless. The night air carried their hushed voices, leaving Meera feeling breathless.

Meera.....

The whisper of the sea sent a chill down Meera's back. She felt goosebumps rise on her skin as her vision blurred. The heat in her body reached its boiling point, making the air in Meera's lungs too toxic for her soul. She began to gasp for air, her figure hunching over.

Seeing her state, Eryx's brows furrowed and his body turned towards her.

"What's wrong?" He spoke into her mind.

Meera threw her hands over her ears, whimpering in pain.

"Meera?" Eryx took a step towards her.

Meera.....Meera....

With tears in her eyes, Meera looked up towards the sea. Her heart began to pound with urgency as she turned and raced out of her room. She descended the palace stairs in a frenzied rush, each step echoing her tumultuous emotions. The distant calls of the sea grew louder, beckoning her like a siren's song. As she reached the palace lawns, Eryx and the turned towards her, their concern etched across their faces.

"Meera?" Ozmen called out, his voice a mixture of worry and confusion. "What's going on?"

Meera was beyond heeding anyone's words. Her senses were drowned in the symphony of the sea, and her instincts propelled her forward. Eryx raced after her, his hand reaching out to halt her frantic pace.

"What's happening?" he asked, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.

Meera turned to him, tears streaming down her face, her breaths uneven and heavy. "I need to get to the water," she gasped, her voice choked with desperation. Eryx hesitated for a moment, his gaze searching hers for answers.

"Please," Meera cried. "Please, please!"

Sensing the urgency in her plea, Eryx nodded and grasped her hand.

"Let's go," he said with confidence.

"What?" Ozmen's eyes widened. "Have you gone mad? Meera, what are you doing?"

"I have to go, Oz," Meera cried.

"Go where?" Neftali demanded. "You're not leaving the palace grounds this late. Especially not with him."

"I have to go," Meera backed away but Ozmen jumped forward and grabbed her arm.

"Meera, wait-"

"Don't touch her," Eryx placed his hand on Ozmen's shoulder and shoved him back. "She's coming with me."

"What the hell do you think this is?" Darwin shouted. "Guards! Lock the doors!"

"No, no," Meera shook her head, tugging on Eryx's arm. "We have to go. Let's go."

Sensing the tension in the air, Eryx drew his sword. The sound echoed through the nigh as the guards of the palace came marching out.

"Stand back," Eryx warned them. "For your own good."

"Meera, step away from him," Darwin commanded.

Meera shook her head and stepped closer to Eryx.

"Don't you dare," Neftali's eyes filled with fury. "Don't you dare take another step with him."

Meera began to weep harder, her heart squeezing as the unfamiliar desire to be near the water pushed all sense out of her head. From the corner of her eyes, she witnessed Marcella and Iris run out to the courtyard, their breath held and eyes wide with shock.

"I'm taking her with me," Eryx raised his sword. "Just try and stop me."

Meera heard someone gasp. Eryx's words swirled around in her mind as he took her hand once more and stepped back.

"Meera," Neftali stopped her as they turned towards the door. "Take another step with him and the doors to this home will forever be closed to you."

Eryx's eyes shifted towards Meera. He watched the tears roll down her flushed face as she covered her mouth to drown out her sobs. He wanted to ask her what she wanted when she squeezed his hand and stepped forward.

Eryx held his breath as they moved through the palace gates, the others trailing behind, unsure of the forces at play.

"Meera," Marcella cried. "Meera, stop. Don't go."

"Listen to your uncle, Meera," Iris pleaded. "Stop this."

Their words fell on deaf ears. All Meera could hear were the cries of the sea. 

What's going on with Meera? Did she make a terrible mistake?