The warmth of the turquoise fabric slipped through my fingers as I slowly moved closer. He was there, lying there, his burning gaze fixed on me. His eyes, an almost unreal blue, stared at me as if he could read my every thought. I felt my breath quicken, but I kept moving, willing myself to show nothing. Not now. Not in front of him.

Zephyr. The Fallen Prince. The man whose name made even the most powerful lords tremble. He was supposed to be a prisoner, but he looked nothing like that. Sitting straight-backed, his chest half-bare, adorned with gold and precious stones, he seemed to dominate this space as if he still reigned over his kingdom.

And I, a simple envoy, had come to take what remained of his power: Azura's Necklace.

“You finally came,” he said, his deep voice reverberating softly against my skin. “I was wondering how long it would take.”

I stopped a few feet away from him. “Give me the necklace.”

He smiled slowly, his ringed fingers caressing the precious jewel around his throat. “Why you? Why now?”

I clenched my fists, refusing to look away. “Because if I don’t take it, everything I’ve built will be reduced to ashes.”

He laughed, low and raspy, then straightened, stepping closer to me. His hand brushed mine, guiding it to the cold gold of the necklace. His skin was burning. My heart was beating too fast.

“Do you really think you can wear it?” he whispered. “This power binds. It consumes.”

I swallowed, but I didn’t pull away. “Yes.” »

His fingers slowly unfastened the necklace. He placed it in my hand, the metal vibrating with a strange warmth. Our gazes remained locked.

"So, from now on..." he breathed, "you will never forget me."

I felt a shiver run through me. Was it a warning... or a promise?

I stepped back slowly, the necklace clutched to my chest. His eyes followed me, burning with an intensity that would mark me forever.

And in my heart, I knew: nothing would ever be the same again.