Life had always been gentle for Aurora since stepping into Velmora's main palace, but after the whispers of her pregnancy bloomed, gentleness turned to luxury. Gifts upon gifts piled at her feet—embroidered gowns in softer fabrics, necklaces of moonstone and pearl, and silken veils that shimmered when she turned her head. Every step she took was cushioned by careful attention, every breath watched over with reverence.
Aldric's eyes scarcely left her; he lingered beside her in court, held her hand when they dined, and sought her out even in the smallest hours of the night. He gave her laughter, flowers from distant valleys, and quiet kisses no one else saw.
Ava, too, devoted herself with a mother's pride. Aurora's meals were no longer taken from the royal kitchens at large but prepared separately—each dish supervised personally by Ava, who scolded careless hands and tasted before Aurora ever lifted a spoon. The queen's presence was a shield, ensuring nothing unworthy touched her plate.
In the corridors, whispers spread like perfume—maids speaking behind their palms, lords exchanging secret smiles. The kingdom rejoiced, and Aurora became the heart of it.
Ava forbade her from attending the royal women's hunt
"Because of your condition, child, you must not go"
Aurora's face dimmed. She had waited for this day, her first hunt, her first chance to ride with the queens.
"I will be careful, mother." Aurora pleaded softly, her blue eyes alight with longing.
Even Aldric tried, gently pressing her hand. "You need not prove yourself to anyone, my love. Stay, for me."
But Aurora only smiled stubbornly. "I want to go. I want to see it. Please, do not keep me behind."
At last, both relented. Permission was given, though Aldric's heart was uneasy and Ava's brows furrowed with worry.
The day of the hunt drew near, and Aurora's anticipation only grew.
-
The palace grounds throbbed with anticipation as the royal women mounted their horses. Sunlight glinted off bows and polished arrows slung across their backs. The air smelled of leather, steel, and the faint perfume of roses drifting from the palace gardens.
Ava stood upright, every inch the commanding matriarch. She scanned them all once more, lingering a heartbeat longer on Aurora.
"Stay close. No recklessness today and no straying."
"Yes, Mother," they all nodded at once.
"Fall out," Ava gave the final command.
The gates opened. Hooves thundered across the stone bridge, dust rising behind them as the hunt began.
Aurora's heart raced—not just from the ride, but from the sheer thrill of being part of her first royal hunt. She felt her maids' anxious voices echoing still.
"Be careful, my lady."
"Ride safe. Please take care of yourself."
She had only smiled, promising she would.
Behind her, Evelyn's lips curved into a sharp grin. She caught Selene's eye. The two shared a knowing glance, one that whispered of something far darker than hunting deer.
The forest welcomed them with its deep hush, a chorus of rustling leaves and distant birdcalls. Sunlight fell in slanted beams between ancient trees.
Arrows loosed, horses snorted, and laughter echoed as deer scattered through the undergrowth.
Aurora raised her bow, fingers trembling slightly. She released. The arrow struck true.
A young deer collapsed in the brush.
Her lips parted in delighted surprise. "I—I killed one!"
Selene reined her horse closer, smiling with a sweetness Aurora had never seen.
"When did you learn to aim so well?"
Aurora, glowing with pride, answered innocently, "His Majesty has been training me. For days now."
Selene's smile hardened around the edges. Evelyn burst into laughter, harsh and mocking. Virelda said nothing, her face unreadable.
Selene's laughed too, her laughter lingered longer than it should have. Aurora's smile faltered.
Then Selene leaned forward in her saddle. "I hear the deer gather thick in the extreme end of the forest. Shall we go? You will have enough kills to boast of."
Aurora hesitated. That part of the woods loomed deeper, darker, almost… watchful. Selene's sudden kindness prickled at her skin. Yet soldiers were here, so was Virelda. What harm could come?
She swallowed her unease. "Very well. Let us go."
Selene led the way, Evelyn following close. Virelda's horse fell in behind them.
The trees grew thicker, branches clawing down like gnarled hands. Mist gathered low to the ground, veiling their path. Soon the horses could go no further—they dismounted.
The group fanned out as though to hunt. Yet Aurora noticed the soldiers lingered behind… far behind. And the other three women stayed near, too near, their eyes never leaving her.
A chill cut down her spine. Something was wrong.
She turned to speak—to suggest they go back to the front—but Selene's voice cut through the mist, sharp as glass.
"Well, well. She notices at last."
Aurora froze. Her pulse roared in her ears. "What are you saying?"
Selene's face twisted with venom. "You came here, stole his Majesty's eyes, his heart, and now—you carry his child."
Evelyn stepped forward, her grin cold. "We did not come here for deer, little witch. We came to rid ourselves of you."
Aurora's eyes widened. "You cannot — Evelyn, you?."
Evelyn's smile brightened. "Yes, me. Did you really think I came to Velmora to make amends? I came here to have you killed."
Aurora stiffened.
Virelda stood still, expression pale, lips pressed thin. She said nothing.
Selene gestured behind her. Soldiers emerged from the fog.
"All of them are mine," Selene said softly, triumph dripping from her voice. "No one will come to your aid."
Aurora spun and ran.
Branches whipped against her face, tore at her gown. Her lungs burned, her heart thundered so loud it felt as if it might tear through her chest. Behind her, pounding footsteps closed in, voices shouting, mocking.
She whispered the words of power—words she had used before to summon, to protect. Disappear. Hide. Shield, anything.
Nothing happened.
Her throat clenched. She whispered again, faster, desperate. Still nothing.
Then she remembered the ancient words from the book, it struck her memory like a cruel bell.
-One day, danger will close upon you. And when it does, you will not be able to wield your power to save yourself.-
Terror coursed through her. She ducked behind a great oak, pressing a trembling hand over her mouth to silence her breath. Sweat plastered her white hair against her tear-streaked face.
Mother… The thought burned, but she remembered she had closed all portals—her mother would not see nor hear her. No coven could reach her now.
Leaves crunched. Heavy footsteps drew closer. A shadow fell across her.
Two soldiers seized her arms and dragged her out. Aurora screamed, kicking wildly, but they held fast.
Evelyn strode forward and slapped her hard across the face. "Where do you think you are running to? No one is coming for you here."
Aurora, sobbing, pleaded, "If you kill me…His Majesty…he will never forgive you."
Selene laughed, striking her across the mouth. "We planned this well. He will suspect nothing."
Aurora turned to the soldiers, her voice breaking. "Remember your vows! To the kingdom, to the throne—"
Selene snarled, slapping her again. "Hold your tongue."
Evelyn lunged, her fist slamming into Aurora's ribs. Aurora cried out, pain ripping through her body. Selene struck her belly again and again, each blow deliberate, vicious.
Aurora gasped, choking on blood, her body crumpling under the relentless assault. Her bones cracked, skin bruised, crimson staining her gown.
Virelda stood still. Her hands trembled slightly, but her face remained locked, pale as snow.
"Join us," Selene spat at her between blows.
Virelda did not move.
Aurora's vision blurred. Pain screamed through her body. Her breath came shallow.
Then Evelyn wrenched a dagger from a soldier's belt. Her eyes gleamed.
"Let us end this."
"No—!" Aurora barely managed before the blade plunged into her side.
At that instant—
—back in the palace, Aldric's quill snapped in half. Ink spattered across his desk. His hand shook violently. His chest constricted as if a blade pierced him too.
Far away, Elisa dropped her charm bowl, herbs scattering across the floor. Her eyes widened. "No… what is this?."
— back in the forest, Aurora's scream tore through the forest, then faltered into a broken cry. Blood pooled beneath her, her body slack.
Evelyn smirked. Selene breathed heavily, sweat glistening on her brow. The two looked at each other and laughed, a cruel, satisfied sound.
"There," Evelyn hissed. "It is done."
Selene pointed at a dark pit nearby. "Throw her in."
The soldiers hauled her limp body and cast her down.
They rinsed their hands with water from a flask, wiping blood from their skin.
Selene sneered at Virelda. "Useless coward."
Virelda said nothing.
The three turned back toward their horses, Evelyn and Selene laughter echoing in the fog.
Evelyn chuckled. "We should have made sure she was dead before tossing her."
"She will die soon enough," Selene answered coldly.
Virelda glanced back one last time. Her face tightened, unreadable, before she turned away.
Deep within the dark pit, Aurora lay, her body drenched in blood. She stirred faintly, the barest twitch of life showing she yet drew breath. Her lips parted, trembling, a single name breaking the silence.
"…Aldric…"
Her eyes fluttered closed. Darkness swallowed her.