11. Nox

CHAPTER 11

Nox

T he gothic castle loomed above the darkened landscape, its spires piercing the night sky. The air was cold and heavy with the scent of damp stone and distant incense. The castle's grand ballroom was alive with opulence and decadence, its high ceilings adorned with cobwebs and gilded chandeliers that cast eerie shadows on the walls. Laughter and the clinking of glasses mingled with the haunting strains of a string quartet, creating a discordant symphony of celebration and foreboding.

Aura, dressed in an elegant gown of deep blue velvet that contrasted with the bright scarlet of the ballroom's typical guests, moved gracefully through the crowd. Her eyes, now keen with both determination and affection, searched for any sign of the kidnapped witches and fae. Nox was transfixed, wholly by her. The blue of the dress was almost a perfect match to the blue of his own eyes. With her deep raven colored hair instead of her normal white locks, she was a vision, even with her appearance altered by her enchanted ring.

Nox was dressed in a dark, refined suit, his usually rugged appearance masked by a careful fa?ade of noble elegance. He had spent a lifetime at court, he knew how to act his part. His sharp eyes scanned the room, alert for any hint of danger or the whereabouts of their captives.

The two made their way through the throng of guests, exchanging subtle glances. "Stay close," Nox murmured, his voice low but urgent. "We need to blend in while we find them."

Aura nodded, her gaze sweeping over the masked faces around them. She spotted a cluster of guests gathered near a grand fireplace, their conversations animated and their masks glittering in the dim light. "There," she whispered, "we should start with that group. It's possible they've seen or overheard something."

As they approached, Aura and Nox engaged in polite conversation with the guests, their voices low and their demeanor casual. Aura caught snippets of conversation about the kidnapped witches and fae, fueling her resolve. The guests were discussing the "new additions" to the mad king's collection, hinting that the captives were kept in the castle's dark dungeons, not to be brought out till midnight.

Nox's gaze flicked toward a hidden door behind a tapestry. "That's likely where they're being held," he said. "We need to find a way down there without drawing attention."

The ballroom's grandeur seemed to mock their stealthy mission as Aura and Nox slipped through a concealed doorway behind the tapestry. The narrow, dimly lit corridor was a stark contrast to the opulence of the ballroom. Their footsteps echoed softly on the cold stone as they made their way down winding stairs, leading deeper into the castle's bowels.

"Follow my lead," Ember's soft voice whispered to the two of them, appearing with her manipulated dull light in the staircase.

The air grew colder and more oppressive as they descended, the walls growing darker and more foreboding. At the bottom of the stairs, they reached a heavy iron door marked with arcane symbols.

"This is it." Ember nodded towards the door.

Nox produced a set of lockpicks, working with careful precision until the lock clicked open. The door creaked slowly, revealing a dank, shadowy dungeon. Ember moved them through the dark labyrinth, her dull light guiding them. They came across a sleeping guard slouched in a chair and Aura pulled a potion from under her skirts, courtesy of Esmie. She wafted the potion under the guard's nose, ensuring he took a very deep sleep and would not wake any time soon.

Inside, Aura's eyes adjusted to the gloom, and she spotted the captives huddled in a corner of the cell: two witches with tattered robes and a fae woman whose ethereal beauty was marred by the grime of captivity. The fae woman's eyes widened as she saw them, hope flickering in her gaze. A small flame cupped in her hand to keep them warm. Aura marveled at the magic, so akin to her own but burning like fire rather than her own white light.

"We're here to rescue you," Aura said softly, stepping forward. "Can you walk?"

The fae woman nodded, her voice trembling. "We can, but the guard?—"

"The one posted was taken care of, and I swiped these." Aura pulled out a heavy metal ring with a large silver skeleton key, sliding it into the lock on the dungeon cell, the old metal creaking as she pushed it open. The two witches stood and rushed to her.

"You are an heir," one of them whispered, her voice raw and scratched. The witches looked nearly identical. She knew her golden eyes gave her away to anyone from The Hollow. Only that of the Galanis line had golden eyes.

"Yes, I am Aura." Aura smiled gently, holding her hand to her chest. "Let's get you home."

"Princess!" The small girl gasped.

"Thank the goddess." The boy sighed and helped the girl next to him up from where they had been in the corner of the dark cell.

"I am Eamon, this is Selene." The boy introduced himself, his dark hair was scattered down his neck, his skin pale and a golden rune wrapped around one arm. The rune matched the other witch, her hair the same ebony color as the boys. The pair of blue eyes bore into Aura's.

"About damn time," the Fae woman muttered, stepping forward. She was older than the witches, a scrunched brow and a flicker of light next to her.

"That's Zephyra," Eamon muttered. The twins stayed close to the other, seemingly keeping themselves small. Aura tried not to shutter at the sight, at the terrible things they must have endured.

"I told you they were coming!" a small voice broke through the cold dungeon. The light shifted and a light sprite appeared.

"Nessa." Aura nodded, seeing Ember's sister.

"Your Highness!" She bowed and fluttered around the witches.

"There's a hidden tunnel down the east end," Nessa's soft voice drifted to them, relaying the information and layout of the dungeons. Aura felt a sigh of relief at this part, the sprites had worked tirelessly to do their part, and it was irreplaceable.

Nox interrupted, his gaze alert as he scanned the dungeon. "We need to move quickly. I'll lead. Aura, make sure they stay close."

The group moved cautiously through the dark corridors, but their progress was interrupted by the sudden clamor of approaching guards. The sound of clanking armor and harsh voices grew louder.

"Hide!" Nox hissed, pushing the captives behind a stack of crates as he and Aura took cover in a shadowy alcove. The guards' lanterns bobbed closer, their voices echoing off the stone walls.

Aura and Nox exchanged determined glances, their hands brushing briefly—a silent promise of support. As the guards passed by, Nox readied his sword, and Aura prepared her magic, keeping the glow so faint to only guide them. When the guards were out of sight, they resumed their escape, moving swiftly but silently through hidden passages and secret doors. The belly of the castle was a labyrinth, but Nessa's familiarity with its intricacies guided them efficiently.

The dungeon's chill clung to the air as Nessa and Ember led the rescued captives through the shadowed stone corridors. The two young witches, their expressions a mix of hope and exhaustion, followed closely behind. The fae woman, with her dark skin and void-like black eyes, was last, her presence a stark contrast to the dimly lit surroundings.

A faint light signaled their escape, but as they neared the castle's outer walls, their way was blocked by a group of armed guards. Nox stepped forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. "We'll need to fight our way through," he said, his voice firm.

Aura nodded, her hands glowing with a soft, ethereal light as she prepared her magic. "Stay close." Zephyra held out her hands, her dark skin was slightly glowing. Aura could see now her eyes were almost black, void of color. Zephyra shifted to be in front of the twins.

Protecting them.

Their escape route was nearly in sight—a secret exit concealed behind an ancient, rusted door. But just as they approached, the clatter of armor and the harsh clamor of boots on stone signaled the approach of soldiers. The hallway ahead was now occupied by a group of heavily armed guards, their eyes scanning the area with grim determination.

Aura's heart raced as she assessed the situation. Her fingers hummed with the excitement to dig her daggers from where they were strapped to her thigh under her gown. Her power was begging to be used, flooding through her. Nox stepped forward, drawing his sword with a swift motion. "Stay back and protect the captives," he instructed the witches and the fae woman. "We'll handle this."

Zephyra, her eyes gleaming with a deep, otherworldly void, nodded resolutely. "I'll provide cover," she said, her voice calm yet fierce. The soldiers, unaware of the imminent threat, continued their patrol, their faces obscured by their helmets. Aura and Nox readied themselves, exchanging a final glance of silent determination.

As the soldiers turned toward them, Nox moved first. With a powerful thrust, he engaged the nearest guard, his sword a blur of steel. Aura followed, she struck with precise, fluid movements. Her blade sang through the air, cutting through the guards' defenses with lethal accuracy.

The fae woman stepped forward, her hands raised as flames began to dance around her fingertips. With a fierce gesture, she unleashed a torrent of fire that surged down the corridor, the flames scorching the guards and forcing them to stagger back. The heat was intense, the fire crackling with a primal energy that seemed to pulse with her own power. Aura had never seen anything like it, her void eyes and fire that came from the fae the way the light came from her own fingers.

Aura and Nox fought with a coordinated grace, their movements a blend of strength and agility. Aura's strikes were sharp and relentless, while Nox's swordwork was a fluid counterpoint, each swing clearing a path through the enemy ranks. Together, they created a deadly dance of steel and fire, their actions synchronized in perfect harmony.

The twin witches, standing back with their eyes closed in concentration, began to chant in unison. Their voices wove an intricate spell that conjured a swirling vortex of wind and debris. The vortex lashed out, pushing the soldiers off balance and disrupting their formations. The witches' magic acted as a barrier, providing vital cover for Aura and Nox as they pressed forward.

One of the soldiers, attempting to flank them, was met with a sudden burst of flames from the fae woman. The fire leaped from her hands with an explosive intensity, engulfing the soldier in a blaze that sent him crashing to the ground.

As the battle raged on, the soldiers' attempts to regroup were thwarted by the relentless assault. Aura's blade cleaved through armor, while Nox's sword struck with precision, each blow incapacitating a foe. The fae woman's fire magic continued to burn with an unyielding ferocity, creating a barrier of flames that kept the remaining soldiers at bay.

The witches' magic was a whirlwind of energy, their spells striking with pinpoint accuracy. They summoned bolts of lightning and gusts of wind that blasted the soldiers back, their combined power a formidable force that turned the tide of the battle.

Despite their numbers, the soldiers were no match for the coordinated assault. As the last of the guards fell, Aura, Nox, and Zephyra stood amid the debris, their breaths heavy with exertion. The corridor was now littered with fallen foes, the flickering flames of the fae woman's magic casting long shadows on the walls.

The witches, their faces pale but resolute, approached. "Is it safe?" one of them asked, her voice trembling but hopeful.

Aura nodded, her gaze still scanning the area for any remaining threats. "For now. We need to move quickly before more guards arrive."

Zephyra's eyes returned to their usual void-like calm as she extinguished the last of her flames. "Let's go," she said, her voice a soothing contrast to the chaos. "We're almost free."

With a final glance at the fallen soldiers, Aura and Nox led the way to the secret exit. The passage beyond was narrow and steep, but it promised freedom from the castle's oppressive grasp. The group moved swiftly, their steps echoing with a sense of both relief and lingering tension.

As they emerged from the dark, confining dungeon into the open air of the night, the stars above seemed to shine with a newfound clarity. The castle's ominous silhouette loomed behind them, but their escape was complete. They had fought through adversity and emerged victorious, their bond strengthened by the trials they had faced together.

Nox and Aura breathed heavily, their faces smeared with sweat and grime. The captives, though shaken, were unharmed.

"Let's get out of here," Nox said, glancing toward the castle's gates.

They made their way through the castle's darkened outdoor grounds, finally reaching the outer wall and the eastern gate. They straightened their backs, Aura swiping a couple of glasses of ale on an abandoned step and handed them to Zephrya and Nox. Zephyra smirked immediately, catching on to Aura's thought. Act drunk. If they were simply party goers drunk on the night's delights they could slip out amongst the crowd. Zephyra brought a beaming smile to her lips and lifted her cup,

"To good fortune!" she cheered, Aura cheered with her, and Nox raised his glass. Zephyra fake stumbled into another couple, grabbing a shawl from a table nearby. The lights were getting brighter, tables strewn across the grasses, flickering candles and flame around them. The night of revelry from the ball was far into chaos. Zephyra laughed and pushed the shawl back to the witches, then eyed a coat hanging haphazardly along a wall, people laughing and drinking nearby. Eamon noted her glance and moved so quickly Aura hardly caught it before he was donning a rather nice courtiers jacket. It was too big for his malnourished frame but he tugged his sister into him. Covering the both of them. Zephyra slung her own shawl over her shoulders, a black lace and fur combination. The three of them had successfully covered their tattered clothing, enough to blend in with the crowd. They made there way closer and closer to the gates.

"We will cause a distraction, you go through first while the guards eyes are on us, then we will follow," Nox ordered lowly. Zephrya only nodded, shuffling the twins closer to her. She hummed a tune and engaged them in conversation. Selene stayed quiet, eyes downcast, but Eamon smiled widely to match that of the fae woman. Her hair she had let down before they came into the courtyard, covering her ears from sight.

Nox turned to Aura. "Follow my lead, Ror." He smirked. She eyed him suspiciously but nodded all the same. The music from a band on a small stage was loud, people cheered and drank all around them. They walked closer to the gates, her heart beat matching her with each hurried step. She took a breath and settled herself, her hands tucked into her pockets, her magic wanting to be let free.

"My Lady!" Nox practically shouted and stumbled his steps pulling Aura with him. "You have bewitched me, taken my heart with your beauty, it is unmatched," he declared. People began turning, watching the scene unfold.

"I cannot breathe without you, I wake with your lips on my mind, I fall asleep dreaming of your"—He looked around with a lopsided smile—"I'm sure the people could guess." Bellows of laughter surrounded them. Nox dropped to one knee before her. The breath wholly left Aura's lungs.

"Put me out of my misery, my love, be my wife, bear my children, be my future." His voice was deep and loud, making sure everyone's eyes were on theirs. Aura tried to bite back the smirk, she brought her hands to her mouth covering it and jumped up and down,

"Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!" she exclaimed. Much to her own surprise, Nox pulled out a red ruby ring, surrounded by two smaller dark stones on either side. He held it out for her. She stared, wide eyed in response, nodded her head with a smile, and Nox slipped on the ring. Nox rose from his feet, grabbing the silks of her dress and pulling her to him. Hands on either side of her face, eyes wide.

"A fucking ring?" she bit out, keeping the smile in place. He kissed her, then pulled back,

"Grabbed a souvenir from the ball room, you like it?" He smirked back at her.

"You are insane," she whispered before laughing and falling into his chest and hiding her face. He lifted a fist to the sky and cheers and bellows surrounded them once more. They had shoulder taps and congratulations given out to them as they walked through the gates easily. A guard, shouting after them to "have a fun night."

The dawn was breaking as they emerged from the castle's shadow, the first light of morning casting a golden hue over the landscape. They found Zephyra, Eamon, and Selene waiting down a street from the gates. Together, they fled through the forest, leaving the gothic castle behind, its dark silhouette fading into the distance.

As they reached safety, Aura and Nox shared a look of relief and triumph.

"You are a wonder, wife ," he whispered as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Aura smirked and held up her hand adorned with her new ring.

"It does look rather nice." She smirked and wiggled her fingers under the moonlight. Zephyra spoke in hushed tones to the twins, calming them. They found food for them as they had not eaten in two days, learning the food was doused in something that subdued their magic. Once Nessa had informed them that they were being rescued, they gave up the food. But the two young witches looked frail and Aura worried for them. They found their stashed bags and quickly ate some rations before heading into the forest.

Days went by, they stopped to rest when they could. Nox and Aura guided their people through the paths they had come through, back to their rightful home, back to safety.