Laila Terra stood at the edge of the ancient forest, the moonlight filtering through the leaves, casting ethereal shadows on the ground. The air was thick with magic, a sensation that tingled against her skin. She had always felt different, a misfit among her kin, the dryads and elves who danced gracefully through the woods, their wings shimmering like the dawn. But Laila had never sprouted wings, a fact that haunted her dreams and her waking hours.
It had been a month since she awoke from a two-year coma, a slumber that had felt like an eternity. In those dark years, she had been trapped in a world of dreams, living a life intertwined with her first mate, a bond forged in passion and betrayal. The magic user who had cursed her had made her believe he was her true mate, and in her dreams, she had soared through the skies, her wings a brilliant tapestry of colors, a blend of her lineage. But with each flight, a shadow loomed—a dark figure with piercing eyes, a malevolent presence that sent chills down her spine.
Tonight, she was restless. The dreams had returned, vivid and intoxicating. As she closed her eyes, the dream unfolded once more. She was in a grand hall, surrounded by laughter and music, the air thick with the scent of blooming nightshade. But instead of warmth, she felt a sense of foreboding, a reflection of the enmity that had festered between her family and the outside world.
Laila had always felt out of place in the palace, but she knew her tribe was kind-hearted, always willing to help those in need. It was during one of their many expeditions into the forest that they had encountered a stranger—a young man named Damonios, who had been rescued from a monstrous lion by one of her tribe's warriors. He had been injured and vulnerable, and her people, with their compassionate nature, took him in, believing he might be a mate to one of their own.
At first, Laila had been drawn to Damonios, captivated by his charm and the way he seemed to fit into their world. But as time passed, she began to sense something darker lurking beneath his surface. The kindness of her tribe had blinded them to the truth: Damonios was not who he appeared to be. The curse that had bound her to him had clouded her judgment, making her believe that everything was normal, even as pain lingered in the air around them.
With a gasp, Laila awoke, her heart racing. The remnants of the dream clung to her like a shroud. She sat up, the moonlight spilling into her room, illuminating the intricate patterns of her skin—marks of her lineage, but no wings. Not yet.
"Laila!" a voice called from outside her window. It was Yasmin Thalassa, but Laila affectionately called her "Elara," her best friend, her sister in spirit. They had known each other since they were in diapers, and Yasmin's jumping in from the window was nothing new. "Get ready! The banquet is starting soon!"
Laila sighed, pushing the remnants of the dream aside. Today was the day she would confront Damonios, the magic user who had cursed her, the one who had made her believe he was her mate. The banquet was a celebration of unity, but for her, it felt like a trap. The tension between their families was palpable, and she was caught in the middle.
As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, Laila felt a surge of determination. She had been preparing for this moment for weeks. In secret, she had been crafting a special concoction—a copsula—that could not be detected by magic. It was designed to consume magic itself, and she intended to use it against Damonios. She wanted him dead, and she would stop at nothing to uncover the truth behind his arrival in their tribe.
"Laila! Are you coming or not?" Yasmin's voice broke through her thoughts, and Laila quickly pulled on a simple yet elegant dress, the fabric flowing like water around her.
"I'm coming!" she called back, her heart racing with anticipation. She made her way to the kitchen, where the warm scent of baked goods filled the air. Cooking had always been her solace, a way to connect with her family and the traditions of her tribe. Today, she decided to bake a batch of sweet pastries filled with honey and nuts, a family favorite.
As she worked, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. The rhythmic motion of kneading the dough and the sweet aroma of the pastries reminded her of the love that surrounded her, even amidst the chaos. "Elara, come help me!" she called, knowing her friend would be eager to join her in the kitchen.
Yasmin appeared moments later, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What are we making?" she asked, rolling up her sleeves.
"Pastries for the banquet," Laila replied, smiling. "I thought we could use something sweet to lighten the mood."
As they worked side by side, Laila couldn't help but share her plan with Yasmin. "I've been thinking about Damonios," she said, her voice low. "I need to find a way to get rid of him. He's not who he claims to be, and I can't let him continue to deceive our tribe."
Yasmin paused, her expression turning serious. "Are you sure about this? What if he finds out?"
"I've been working on a copsula," Laila explained, her heart racing with the thrill of her secret. "It will consume his magic, and he won't even know what hit him. I need to know who sent him and why he's here."
Yasmin's eyes widened. "That's dangerous, Laila. You have to be careful."
"I know," Laila replied, determination hardening her resolve. "But I can't let him hurt anyone else. I have to protect our tribe."
As they finished baking, Laila felt a mix of excitement and dread. The banquet would be a chance to confront Damonios, to put her plan into action. But it would also be a test of her resolve. She would have to act shy and innocent, drawing him in while hiding her true intentions.
Once the pastries were ready, Laila felt a mix of excitement and dread. She carefully placed one of the pastries on a small plate and made her way through the bustling banquet hall, searching for Damonios. When she spotted him, her heart raced. He stood at the edge of the room, his dark hair falling over his forehead, a charming smile on his lips as he spoke to a group of admirers.
"Damonios!" Laila called, her voice bright and inviting as she approached him. "I made these for you. I wanted you to try my baking skills."
He turned, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. "Laila! You're too kind," he said, taking the pastry from her hand. "I've heard so much about your cooking."
As he took a bite, Laila watched intently, her heart pounding. She knew that if he enjoyed the pastry, it would be a sign of his deception. The sweetness of the honey and nuts was meant to mask the bitterness of her plan. She had infused the copsula into the pastry, and she hoped it would work as intended.
"This is delicious!" Damonios exclaimed, his smile genuine as he savored the treat. "You have a real talent."
"Thank you," Laila replied, forcing a smile. "I'm glad you like it."
As he finished the pastry, Laila felt a surge of determination. She knew that once they danced, he wouldn't kiss her in front of everyone. The pain that would accompany the kiss would reveal the truth—that he was not her mate.
"Would you care to dance?" Damonios asked, extending his hand toward her.
Laila hesitated, her heart racing. This was it—the moment she had been preparing for. "I'd love to," she replied, placing her hand in his.
As they moved to the dance floor, Laila felt the eyes of the crowd on them. She could sense the anticipation in the air, the expectation that came with the ritual of a dance between potential mates. But for her, it was a façade, a mask she wore to hide her true intentions.
As they swayed to the music, Laila felt a mix of emotions swirling within her. She had to act as if she was captivated by him, even as her heart screamed in protest. The moment came when the music slowed, and Damonios leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "You're enchanting, Laila. I can see why your tribe holds you in such high regard."
"Thank you," she replied, her voice trembling. "You're quite charming yourself."
As the dance came to an end, Laila knew Damonios would not kiss her in front of everyone. Instead, he would try to take her somewhere more private, where he could enact his true intentions. She had seen it in her dreams—the visions of him taking her away, of being drugged and forced into a union that would lead to her demise. The thought of being bedridden, of losing her unborn child, sent a chill down her spine.
In that moment, Laila made her decision. She would act shy and innocent, drawing him in. "Damonios," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I think I might be feeling a little dizzy."
He looked at her with feigned concern, his eyes glinting with something darker. "Perhaps we should find a quieter place," he suggested, his tone smooth and inviting.
"No," Laila said, her heart racing. "I want to show everyone that I'm strong."
With a sudden burst of courage, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his, feigning a kiss filled with longing. As their lips met, she allowed herself to feel the pain that came with the kiss, a sharp reminder that he was not her mate. She pulled away, clutching her chest as if the pain were overwhelming.
"Oh!" she gasped, falling to the ground, her body going limp as she pretended to pass out. "Damonios!"
The crowd gasped, and Laila could hear the commotion around her. She felt Yasmin rush to her side, panic in her voice. "Laila! He's not your mate! That's why you're in pain!"
In that moment, Laila's older brother, Kaelan, pushed through the crowd, his expression fierce. "Get away from her!" he shouted, glaring at Damonios. "You've done enough!"
As Kaelan knelt beside her, Laila felt a surge of relief. She was not alone. Her other brother, Ronan, stepped forward, fists clenched in anger. "You think you can just toy with her emotions? You're nothing but a fraud!"
Without warning, Ronan lunged at Damonios, landing a punch squarely on his jaw. The force of the blow sent Damonios stumbling back, shock etched across his face.
"Stay away from my sister!" Ronan growled, stepping protectively in front of Laila.
As the chaos unfolded around her, Laila felt a sense of triumph. She had played her part perfectly, exposing Damonios for the fraud he was. She would not let him destroy her tribe or her future. With her brothers by her side, she knew she could face whatever darkness lay ahead.