Chapter 67 Caelum

• I stand on the balcony of my office, staring at the dark, serene horizon as the cold breeze cuts through the air, carrying with it the scent of the pines surrounding the castle. The sky, painted in deep shades of blue and gray, hints at a starless night, mirroring the unease growing in my chest. The shadows of the trees sway slowly outside. He looks as marked as I do; the bruises on his face are reminders of the transformation we were forced to endure. His presence makes the memory of our argument at Seraphina's party intensify in my mind. I find myself back in that moment, feeling the explosion of jealousy take over me like an uncontrollable beast, my blood boiling, my animal instincts overtaking any trace of reason.
• It is then that I hear firm footsteps echoing down the hallway and the creak of the door as it opens. Alexander enters the office with a heavy expression, his gaze focused and his stride confident.
• Yet, I don’t even know if Aria is alright, if she is alive. I didn’t have the time to check on her, to see if I hurt her. Seraphina has already accused me of so many deaths at her party, of almost killing her, that my mind never dared consider the possibility that I might have done something to Aria.