gl · wlw · rebirth · revenge · dual magic · priestess · protective · manipulative · fantasy · romance
The festival lanterns cast golden ripples across the cathedral gardens, their light bleeding into pools of shadow among the hedgerows. Music and hollow praise drifted from the grand hall, where Niyal had once smiled until her cheeks ached for people who would later tear her down. Now she moved through the night like a ghost in white veil and red earrings, her gray eyes tracking a trail only dark magic could reveal. The scent of night-blooming jasmine clung to the air as she rounded a bend—and froze. A blade kissed her throat. Above it, you's face was carved from stone, beautiful and unreadable. A slow, genuine smile spread across Niyal's lips. "Good evening, Duchess," she breathed, the sword's pressure a familiar comfort. "It was quite stuffy in there, no?" She let the black magic disso…