In the days that followed, Damon's behavior grew erratic. He became more possessive, more controlling. Aurora could feel the tension between them rising, like a storm on the horizon.

One evening, she found him speaking with Isolde in hushed tones in one of the castle's shadowed corridors. Their words were muffled, but Aurora could see the tension in Damon's posture, the way Isolde's eyes flickered with triumph.

Rage boiled in her chest. She stormed into the room, her heart pounding. "What's going on?"

Damon turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "This isn't what you think."

Aurora's voice shook with anger. "Then tell me what it is! I trusted you, Damon!"

For the first time, she saw a flicker of something else in his eyes—fear.