Page 41 of The Fractured Veil

Damon huffed, rolling his eyes towards the high, vaulted ceiling. "If she wants to go, let her go, Zarek. She's not a prisoner here." His words were clipped, laced with an icy edge that made me bristle. A small, petty part of me wanted to stay a little longer just to irritate him, to push his buttons.

I glanced between the two brothers—Zarek, with his easy charm, teasing smile, and aura of warmth; and Damon, with his cold eyes, defensive posture, and the clear hostility radiating off him in waves. It made me wonder how these two polar opposites could possibly be brothers. I knew they weren't biologically related; the differences in their features and demeanor were too different. But what had brought them together? How did the three of them, including Nox, become the 'Shadow Brothers'?

"I'll be quick," I finally conceded, my voice quiet as I looked at Zarek. There was something in his eyes, something that made me feel seen, and less like an intruder in their bizarre world. It was probably just his natural charm, his ability to put people at ease.

"Lead the way," I added, a genuine smile playing at my lips at Zarek's reaction. I followed back towards the stairs, trying to ignore the way Damon's eyes burned into my back. While Zarek and Nox were warming up to me—in whatever confusing and complicated way it was—Damon was most definitely not. His disapproval was a physical presence, a shadow clinging to me as I ascended the stairs.

* * *

My eyes widenedas I took a few hesitant steps into Zarek's room, immediately struck by the oddness of it all. His room was nothing like what I thought it would be. It was light, airy. With soft, calming colors that gave it an almost delicate feel. The walls were a pale, baby blue—like the sky just before sunset—and sunlight poured in through two large windows.

There were plants everywhere—vines cascading from the ceiling like emerald waterfalls, potted flowers blooming in vibrant colors on the windowsill, and even a small, meticulously pruned bonsai tree in the corner. It felt alive, like stepping into a secret garden hidden. The air smelled faintly of wildflowers and fresh earth, and I could almost feel the magic that seemed to pulse through the room, a gentle hum of energy, a subtle reminder of Zarek's Fae heritage.

The bed was large and inviting, with a white sheer canopy that draped elegantly over it. The bedding was a mix of crisp whites and calming blues, covered with delicate embroidery. Crystals hung by the window, catching the light and casting small rainbows across the room—their subtle glimmer adding a touch of enchantment to the already magical space.

In one corner, a beautifully carved wooden bookshelf stood tall, filled with leather-bound books and small trinkets scattered. Shells, polished stones, and bits of sea glass—that seemed almost out of place, yet somehow they fit perfectly.

The room was filled with intriguing differences—earthy, natural elements mixed with the soft blues of the sky, and hints of something else, almost reminiscent of the sea. It was like stepping into a sanctuary. A perfect blend of Fae lightness and something deeper, as if the space itself was a reflection of Zarek's very soul.

As I stood there, taking it all in, absorbing the unexpected beauty of his personal space, I felt his eyes on me. He was watching me intently, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. But it felt as if he was waiting to see what I thought of this private part of him, this space he had so carefully created. It was as if he was offering me a piece of himself, waiting to see if I would accept it.

I turned to meet his amber eyes, "It's... beautiful," I said, my voice full of awe. "Not what I expected at all, but... it suits you."

Zarek's lips curved into a broader smile, the amusement in his eyes replaced by a quiet satisfaction. He shrugged lightly, as if brushing off the compliment, a gesture that seemed almost shy. "Glad you think so."

He motioned towards a door on the far side of the room. "Bathroom's through there. Take your time," he added.

I nodded, my heart still pounding a strange rhythm, and made my way across the room, the soft rug beneath my bare feet. As I reached the bathroom door, I paused, glancing back at Zarek. He was still watching me, his eyes filled with that same mix of curiosity and something I still couldn't quite understand.

"Thank you," I said, the words hanging between us, filled with more meaning than I could explain. Zarek gave a small nod before I turned away, stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind me—the click echoing softly in the quiet room.

The moment I was alone, I let out a shaky breath and leaned against the door for a moment, trying to steady myself. There was something about Zarek—something about his room, this place—that made me feel like I was seeing a part of him that no one else got to see, what he hid beneath his playful exterior.

First Nox, and now Zarek. A wave of confusion washed over me. I needed to process what the hell was going on.

I pushed away from the door, my eyes scanning the bathroom, taking in the details. It was just as beautiful as the rest of his room—light, spacious, with soft blue tiles and a large, inviting clawfoot tub that sat beneath a frosted window. The scent of lavender hung in the air, a calming fragrance that eased the tension in my shoulders.

Sinking into the tub, a soft moan escaped my lips as the hot water engulfed my body, soothing my aching muscles and washing away the grime and exhaustion of the past few days. I started to scrub with a soft cloth, surprised to find that most of the dirt and dried blood had already been cleaned off my exposed skin. It was clear someone had tried to clean me while I was unconscious, and the thought made me feel a strange mix of gratitude, irritation, and slight embarrassment. Who had cleaned me? One of the brothers? The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I reached for the soap, laughing as I looked at what Zarek used—it was shaped like a perfect seashell, intricately carved, and it smelled expensive, with a hint of something fresh and distinctly masculine. Of course, he'd use something like this. It was so… Zarek.

I let myself sink deeper into the water. The events of the past few months replayed in my mind. Everything seemed to be happening so fast—being brought to this strange academy, the brothers’ unpredictable behavior, the intense, almost overwhelming moments of connection with Nox. And now, here I was, in Zarek’s room, using his tub as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The sound of soft footsteps outside the door made my eyes snap open.

“Thalia? You okay in there?” His tone was light, teasing, but there was a hint of concern that made my stomach flip.

I cleared my throat, trying to steady my voice, to inject a note of normalcy into the situation. “Yeah, I’m good. Just… enjoying the luxury.” I smiled, hoping he could hear the humor in my words.

There was a pause, and then I heard him chuckle softly—a warm, comforting sound. “Don’t get too used to it. You might never want to leave.”

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head even though he couldn’t see me. “I’ll be out soon. Promise I won’t drain all your hot water.”

“Take your time,” he replied, his voice gentle. “No rush.”

I heard his footsteps retreat as I started washing my tangled hair. There was something about Zarek—the way he could effortlessly switch from teasing to sincere—that made me feel something. It was confusing, and I wasn’t quite sure how to process it. From the beginning, his teasing had always been lighthearted—the opposite of his brothers. With Zarek, there were no death stares, only looks filled with curiosity and amusement.

Why had he always been so playful and kind, while his brothers acted like they wanted to murder me every chance they got? It didn't make sense.

After a while, I finally forced myself to get out of the tub, the water now lukewarm, my skin pruned and slightly pink. I wrapped one of his soft,fluffytowelsaround myself as I stepped out onto the plush bath mat. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror—my hair damp and tangled—my skin flushed from the heat, a little battered and bruised but still me. The girl beneath the dirt, blood, and fear was still there.

I found a robe hanging on the back of the door, a deep, luxurious ivory color that looked far too expensive to belong to me. I hesitated for a moment before slipping it on, the soft fabric sliding against my skin, the scent of Zarek clinging faintly to the fibers. I took a deep breath, inhaling his scene as I stepped back into his room.

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