CHAPTER 250: ELIMINATING POSSIBILITIES

When Aria woke up and opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the sun streaming through her window. The first thing she felt was shame.

It was supposed to be fast—just a bargain. Getting Zyren to sleep with her in exchange for sparing Rymora, once he had discovered her to be a werewolf.

But it hadn’t gone that way. They had barely finished the first round when he lifted her straight off the table, carried her into the room, and laid her on the bed with nothing but a cloak thrown over her body—never once pulling out from inside her.

I hate him! she swore to herself, even as she slowly pushed herself upright, her eyes carrying a dazed and weary expression as they drifted around the chamber.

...But maybe it’s myself that I hate, she thought bitterly. With effort, she scrambled off the bed and moved into the bathroom, where she took a warm bath to wash away the heaviness clinging to her body. She emerged some time later, her hair damp, skin flushed from the steam, and began to dress.

She was halfway through when a knock came at the door. A moment later, Rymora stepped inside, having long been given permission to enter whenever she wished.

It was Zyren’s chamber, but unless he wanted to use her—and usually at night—he rarely lingered there. That small truth was a relief to Aria. She watched Rymora settle comfortably on the bed, preparing the items she would need, and then her eyes widened. The maid was covered neatly from head to toe, but at her neck, faint marks betrayed what had clearly been a wild night.

"At least you seem to be having fun," Aria remarked with a mischievous smile.

Rymora instinctively shook her head, even as she chose a white dress trimmed with black bands and sleeves.

I wish! If only it were that simple...

she sighed inwardly before finally speaking.

"Four maids were found dead—headless—at the entrance to the servants’ quarters. They had clearly been killed by the monsters," Rymora informed her.

Aria’s eyes widened in shock at the grim report. She nodded several times, letting the weight of it sink in, before replying, "I can use my powers and go around the castle. That should help."

Rymora gave a relieved nod, glad she hadn’t needed to argue. "It would make everyone feel somewhat reassured—especially with the Werewolf King’s entourage arriving today," she reminded her.

Aria sighed, recalling Jared, whom she had spoken to before, though nothing useful had come of it.

I thought I could convince him to help me... but I suppose I no longer need his help, she reasoned. With her new powers, once the temple rituals were complete, she would have little to fear. Coupled with what the hunters had offered, it was too good a chance not to imagine.

"Inform the guard to send word to Varret—that I will meet him in the dueling hall," she ordered.

Rymora obeyed without question before returning to her work.

Aria finished dressing, carefully styling her red hair into waves to make it appear fuller, adorning it with a few small jewels.

For a while there was silence between them, until Rymora’s voice broke it—her question carrying the same weight as the one Aria had once asked her on their way to the temple.

"What would you do," Rymora asked quietly, "if you were stuck at an impasse? Between doing what is safer but will get you killed, and doing something dangerous that can only keep you safe for a while?"

The sudden question stunned Aria. She already knew Rymora was a spy against Zyren, though for whom she still didn’t know—not that it mattered. What surprised her was how deeply troubled Rymora sounded, even in the few hints she had revealed.

"Is it that bad?" Aria asked, turning from the mirror to look at her.

Rymora stood silently behind her, her short brown curls framing a face that seemed softer and more innocent than her reality allowed. She heard the question, and temptation tugged at her—how easy it would be to confess, to share the truth. Aria already knew most of her secrets... what harm could a few more do?

But at the very last second, she bit down on her lip, stopping the words that nearly escaped.

How do I say that I’m sleeping with a vampire lord? she thought grimly. Even if Aria promised silence, the fear of someone else finding out would always linger. And worse, they were standing in the king’s room.

"A bit," Rymora finally replied.

Aria nodded, accepting the vague answer for what it was.

"People react differently based on the situation they’re facing. Why not run?" Aria suggested with a faint smile, remembering Rymora’s own advice from before. "You could run far away, find a peaceful place, and leave everything behind."

Her words were honest, though she herself had already bound her life to revenge—a revenge she wasn’t even sure she could achieve, but one she had no choice but to pursue.

Rymora gave a wry smile, nodding as she finished with Aria’s hair. "All done," she said softly.

Aria studied her reflection, satisfied after a few last glances, before rising to her feet. The werewolf delegation might be arriving, but her thoughts remained fixed on her own agendas.

After meeting Varret, she still intended to return to the temple and finish the ritual she had left incomplete.

Slipping into her shoes and a cloak to guard against the cold—the season shifting steadily toward winter—Aria left the chamber.

They walked the corridor in silence, guards posted behind them. When they were far enough ahead, Aria leaned close to Rymora and whispered:

"Help me find pregnancy prevention pills."

Rymora froze, stunned. Pregnancy between humans and vampires was nearly impossible.

"Did you... take the fertile pill?" she asked cautiously, only to see confusion flash across Aria’s face—she had no idea what that even meant.

"Zyren hinted that because we are bonded by the ancient vampire ritual, it might make pregnancy possible," Aria explained firmly. "I’m just eliminating all possibilities."

They didn’t stop walking, their footsteps carrying them toward the dueling hall, where she was to meet Varret Elvane of House Elvane.