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"Do it, Eliah,"the dark voice whispered, sinister and seductive, forcing an image through my mind. I gazed up at the balcony's edge, calculating the distance, the impact below.

"Do it."

The king called forth the sixth contestant. Levon's grip tightened on my hand, pulling me back from the brink, from the darkness encroaching upon my heart.

I shut my eyes, trying to silence the insidious whispers.

"Youarestrong enough. Do it. You can finally find your freedom."

Images twisted in my mind's eye, a sinister tapestry of power and darkness. I saw myself seated upon a throne amidst a river of blood, a crimson crown atop my head, my hair swirling in the shadows. The voices that once condemned me now cheered; their long fingers applauded. Red lighting flashed against the black sky as thousands hailed my name.

"You arefear, Eliah."

This…this isn't right. This isn't me.

"It is Eliah. Thisiswho you are—who you are meant to be,"the sinister voice mocked.

Levon's grip tightened on my hand, urging me forward as my feet skidded against the slick floor, his eyes wide with terror as if feeling my fear.

"Eliah, don't let them win."

But I couldn't shake the vision from my mind. My black gown soaked in the blood of a throne before a cheering crowd, their chants echoing in my ears. A dark aura pulsed against the flames within me, threatening to consume everything.

"Come back to me," Levon urged again and again.

Control it, Eliah, because that will be all you have left.

I felt the maggot and grasped it, forcing all my anger upon it, feeling it squirm under my command.

I am in control.

I opened my eyes, meeting the king's dark gaze. His brows furrowing as he motioned me forward. "It seems that the lady is afraid of a crowd," he boomed, laughter rippling through the court below, joining in the mockery. My breath caught in my throat.

"Eliah," Levon said, turning me towards him. His gaze penetrated mine as his eyes flashed with a vibrant electricity, showing more of the blue in his turquoise eyes. I gasped for breath as his touch anchored me, reeling me back from that bloodied throne and not caring about Jesri's seething eyes.

Levon's hands cradled my face as he gently kissed my forehead, seared with a quiet fury, driving back the darkness encroaching upon me with an actual force that was warm, welcoming, and felt as old as the stars themselves.

"My Regina," he whispered, his words carrying a fierceness that stirred something deep within me, banishing the shadows that threatened to consume me and energizing my entire being with a faint light. Then he proceeded to say something in a tongue I didn't understand, his voice barely muttering words.

His voice steadied my trembling heart, replacing the visions of a bleak future with the warmth of love. With a steadying breath, I willed my feet to move.

"Come back to me,"Levon said as he released my face and approached the king, his figure illuminated against the colorful spectacle below. With a graceful bow, he acknowledged the king, then waved to the crowd.

Inhale.

Levon's radiant face turned towards me, his arm outstretched.

That rippling power compelled my feet forward into his hand. His smile widened, silver glinting in his eyes like stars in the night sky.

"Welcome back," he whispered, his voice a soothing melody as I stepped onto the balcony, greeted by a sea of cheering faces. The crowd stretched out before me, a vibrant mosaic of colors and energy. My heart skipped a beat.

"Lady Eliah Archenon of Fernwen!" The king's voice boomed over the applause, and I glanced to his side, meeting the queen's gaze. Her smile was bright, tinged with a hint of sadness as she nodded respectfully before turning her attention back to the crowd. The king ushered me back in line with the other contestants.

"To my dearest contestants! May Tarragon guide your path to victory!" The king's words were met with an enthusiastic chorus from the crowd, their voices blending together like a roaring, erratic symphony. A surge of energy coursed through me as my heart pulsated in a new rhythm. Filling me with a newfound sense of vibrancy as if my very core was ablaze with lightness, and the blood in my veins flaring in response.

Levon's grip tightened on my hand, and tears streamed down his cheeks. His smile wavered, a mix of relief and joy evident.

I squeezed his hand in silent reassurance, but as I attempted to retreat, the king's gaze bore into me, challenging me to take another step. Levon pulled me back to his side in a protective gesture.