THE CHOOSEN ONES

The air in the room was thick with tension, a palpable force that seemed to press against the walls, threatening to burst them apart.

I stood frozen, my words caught in my throat as I felt the unmistakable presence of someone approaching. My eyes darted to Master, wide with alarm, but he remained as composed as ever.

With a mere flick of his finger, he transformed into a cat, his sleek, black fur absorbing the light, giving him an almost otherworldly appearance. His piercing blue eyes, like shards of sapphire, locked onto mine, and I couldn't help but be drawn in by their mesmerizing depth.

I reached out, my fingers brushing against his velvety fur, and lifted him into my arms. "You are really something, Master," I murmured, admiration lacing my voice. He smirked, a proud glint in his eyes, but before I could say more, a sharp knock echoed through the room.

The door creaked open, and there he stood—Ezekian.

My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively tightened my grip on Master. Ezekian's golden eyes widened in surprise as they scanned the room, finally settling on the cat in my arms. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

"Oh, you're awake," he said, his voice tinged with surprise. His gaze swept over me, assessing, before returning to the cat. I could feel the weight of his scrutiny, and it made my skin prickle.

"Yeah, I'm awake," I replied, narrowing my eyes. "What gives you the right to walk into my room without knocking?" My voice was sharp, but inside, I was scrambling. I wasn't ready to face him, not like this, not unprepared.

Ezekian's cheeks flushed, and he bowed his head slightly. "I apologize, Lady Amaris. That was very rude of me." His golden eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something—regret, perhaps, or maybe curiosity. It was disarming, and I hated how my heart raced in response.

I turned away, placing Master on the bed. "It's fine," I said, though my tone suggested otherwise. I needed to stay calm to keep my composure.

The Ezekian standing before me was not the man I had known in my past life. He didn't carry the same hatred, the same prejudice. Yet.

"It looks like your wounds have healed, My Lady," Ezekian said, his voice softer now, almost gentle. It was unnerving how easily he could shift from cold to warm, from distant to intimate.

"Thanks to your divine power," I replied, bowing my head slightly. His eyes widened again, and I could see the gears turning in his mind. He hadn't expected me to know or to remember. But how could I forget? The feel of his power, the way it had coursed through me, was something I could never erase.

"You were conscious?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

I shook my head. "No, but who else would bother using divine power on me?" The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I felt Master's glare burning into my back. Sorry, Master, but I need to play this game carefully.

Ezekian frowned, his expression darkening. "What do you mean?"

Before I could answer, I sensed another presence approaching. My father. Of course, he would come now, of all times. I straightened, my mind racing. This was my chance.

"Young Duke," I began, my voice steady, "I think we should reconsider this engagement."

Ezekian's eyes narrowed, but there was a spark of curiosity there, a flicker of interest. "And why is that?"

"Because I am going to become part of the Court of Ignis and the future matriarch of the House of Nyxveil," I said, my voice firm and confident. "I doubt you have any real interest in marrying me, do you?"

For a moment, Ezekian was silent, his golden eyes boring into mine.

Then he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Do you think it will be that easy, My Lady? The Court of Ignis is a dangerous place. Every move you make will be scrutinized, and your life will be in constant danger."

I held my ground, refusing to back down. "And what about you, Young Duke? Do you think you can survive in the Court of Ignis?"

The tension between us was electric—a silent battle of wills. Neither of us blinked, nor of us looked away. It was just like before, in my past life, when we had been sworn enemies, locked in a never-ending struggle for power.

"You are quite an amusing individual, My Lady," Ezekian said finally, a small smile playing on his lips. "I look forward to our future conversations."

As he stepped back, I saw my father standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. Ezekian turned to him, and for a moment, the air between them was thick with unspoken words.

But before he left, Ezekian leaned in close, his breath brushing against my ear. "You don't need to hide your fast heartbeat using aura whenever you see me," he whispered, his voice low and intimate.

My heart raced, and I felt a flush of heat rise to my cheeks. This sly, infuriating man! How had he noticed? How had he known?

As Ezekian walked away, I turned to my father, who was now standing in the room, his eyes cold and calculating. He looked at me, then at the cat on my bed.

"What is this thing doing in your room?" he asked, his voice sharp.

"It's a cat, not a thing, Your Excellency," I replied, my tone calm but firm.

He frowned, his gaze lingering on me. It gave me a feeling that we were going to have some real serious conversation.

Ezekian had noticed. He had seen through me, and now he was playing his own game. But I couldn't afford to lose focus. The Court of Ignis awaited, and with it, a battle that would test every ounce of my strength and cunning.

And as I looked at Master, who was now curled up on the bed, his blue eyes watching me with an unreadable expression, I knew that the real game had only just begun.