The Silent Vow Beneath The Moonlit Citadel

The winter wind crawled across the stone walls of the Arvellon Citadel as if it carried the breath of forgotten centuries. Beneath the pale glow of the moon, Lady Selene Raventon stood at the balcony, the silver threads on her gown shimmering like a cascade of faint starlight. She gripped the cold rail with slender fingers as her heart pulsed with a quiet mixture of longing and fear. Tonight was the night she would be escorted to the Eastern Kingdom to seal a political marriage that was supposed to end the border wars. She had never met the man she was destined to wed.

Behind Selene, attendants moved silently, preparing her trunks and cases. The air inside her chamber was heavy with the scent of lavender candles, but even their soothing fragrance could not calm the turmoil swirling through her thoughts. She whispered to herself, half hoping the night wind would carry her plea elsewhere. I wish the stars would change my fate.

A firm knock echoed against the carved wooden door.

Enter she said, not turning.

The door opened and Captain Adrian Thorne stepped inside, his armor glinting in the dim firelight. He was a tall figure with wide shoulders and a gaze sharp enough to cut through darkness. His reputation was known throughout the realm: loyal, unwavering, and fearless in battle. Yet Selene had known a different side of him ever since childhood. She knew the warmth he hid behind his stoic exterior, the quiet compassion that lived beneath the soldier.

My lady Adrian bowed slightly though his eyes lingered on her with concern. The escort is ready. We leave before dawn.

Selene finally faced him. Her blue eyes shimmered with a sadness she tried to hide. You are here to make sure I am delivered safely to the man I must marry.

Adrian stiffened. Duty. Always duty. His jaw clenched as he answered Yes my lady.

But something flickered in his expression. Something he often buried deeper than the rest of his disciplined emotions. A truth he had locked away for years.

Selene walked toward him, her gown whispering across the marble floor. Must you always call me my lady she said softly. We grew up in the same courtyard Adrian. We stood hand in hand when the storms frightened me. You were the one who pulled me from the frozen river when no one else could reach me in time. Must we pretend we are strangers now

Adrian looked away briefly. What he wanted to say pressed violently against the walls of his chest. But honor was a cage he had never broken.

It is safer if I keep my distance he said.

For whom Selene whispered. For you or for me

A silence deeper than the winter night stretched between them. Outside the balcony the moon hid behind a cloud as if granting them privacy for truths that might soon spill out.

Selene stepped closer. Adrian I do not wish to marry the Eastern Prince.

You do not have a choice he answered. The alliance must hold or there will be war again. Thousands could die.

I know that she said quietly. But does choice truly matter in this world when every path is chosen for me by someone else I have never lived a single day for myself.

Adrian softened. His voice became low. You are stronger than you know Selene.

She shook her head. No. I am simply trapped in silk instead of chains.

Adrian swallowed the ache rising within him. If only he could gather her into his arms and carry her away from every expectation forced upon her. But he was bound by an oath he had sworn before the throne many years ago.

Suddenly the candles flickered. A harsh gust of wind burst into the room. Adrian instinctively reached for the sword at his side.

A shadowy figure appeared at the balcony edge, silhouetted against the moonlight.

Do not move the stranger hissed.

Selene gasped and stepped back. Adrian stepped forward shielding her behind him.

Who are you he demanded.

I am here for the Lady of Arvellon the intruder replied. But his tone was not threatening. It was urgent. She must not leave for the East. If she does the kingdoms will fall into ruin.

Adrian tightened his grip on his sword. Explain yourself.

The stranger removed his hood revealing an old man with eyes clouded by age yet burning with intensity.

My name is Orren. I am a seer of the Forbidden Vale. I have seen a vision of blood. If the Lady of Arvellon weds the Eastern Prince, the alliance will crumble within a year. Betrayal will spark a war worse than any the realm has seen. Both kingdoms will burn.

You expect us to believe that Adrian growled.

Believe what you wish Orren said. But I have come with a warning that cannot be ignored. The fate of this land rests upon a vow that has not yet been spoken, a love that must be chosen freely or the realm will be drowned in sorrow.

Selene trembled. A vow What vow

Orren looked at Adrian. His gaze pierced through the captain as if seeing the truth inside him. The vow that binds your hearts to the future. But only one who has the courage to speak their heart can change the prophecy.

Adrian froze.

Selene stared at him her breath catching. What vow Adrian

He remained silent. His hands curled into fists.

Orren sighed. If the truth is not spoken before sunrise the threads of fate will harden. The Lady must not cross the Eastern border. Guard her well Captain Thorne for her destiny is intertwined with yours more deeply than you understand.

Before Adrian could move forward the seer vanished into a swirl of shadows blown apart by the wind.

Selene stood in the center of the room shaking. Adrian… is any of what he said true

Adrian did not answer. Instead he walked to the balcony staring into the cold night.

After a long moment he spoke. My duty is to protect you. Nothing more.

Selene felt her heart tighten. Duty. Always duty.

But you are not just my guard she whispered. There is something you refuse to admit.

Adrian exhaled sharply. He turned to her and for the first time allowed the storm inside him to surface.

Selene do you understand what it means if I say what I feel It means breaking the oath I swore to the king. It means betraying the alliance that could save thousands. It means treason.

She looked into his tortured eyes. Then do not say it. Show me instead.

Her voice trembled but was unwavering.

And for a moment Adrian forgot the world and its consequences. He stepped closer until his breath mingled with hers.

He cupped her face gently. Selene…

She closed her eyes waiting.

But he could not. His hands dropped to his sides.

Forgive me he whispered. If I speak what I feel it will destroy everything.

Selene stepped back as if struck. Her chest ached with a pain deeper than tears could express.

Then let me leave she said. If destiny demands my sacrifice I will give it. But at least… at least I will know I meant something to you.

Adrian desperately wanted to hold her but he forced his hands to remain still.

You mean everything to me he whispered so quietly the wind almost carried away the words.

Selene froze.

Adrian realized what he had confessed and his breath shook. She turned to him slowly her eyes wide with unspoken hope.

What did you say she asked.

Adrian clenched his jaw then repeated louder. You mean everything to me Selene. You always have.

She stepped toward him. Adrian… then why can you not choose me over duty

He looked at her with a grief that shattered his restraint. Because if I choose you the realm will fall. I cannot let your name be the reason thousands die.

Selene felt tears burn her eyes. And if I choose the Eastern Prince I will lose myself. Do you not see that this world takes everything from me even the right to love

Adrian reached out instinctively and caught her trembling hands. You have the right to love. But you deserve a love that does not doom kingdoms.

Perhaps love is worth more than kingdoms Selene whispered.

Adrian pulled her closer and rested his forehead against hers. His breath shook. If I kiss you now I will not let you go tomorrow morning.

Then kiss me she breathed.

The world held its breath.

But Adrian turned away violently. I cannot.

Selene stepped back, cold emptiness filling her. Then the prophecy will seal itself at dawn.

She walked toward the balcony ready to accept her destiny. But before she could step outside a sudden explosion shook the citadel. Flames erupted from the courtyard. Screams echoed through the halls.

Adrian drew his sword. Stay behind me

Soldiers rushed through the corridors. Enemy forces from the East had launched a surprise attack hoping to take Selene by force before the official escort. The alliance had already been poisoned by secret betrayal.

Adrian pulled Selene behind him as arrows struck the walls.

The East seeks to capture you he shouted. The seer was right. You are in danger.

Selene trembled. Then what must we do

Adrian grabbed her hand. We run.

They raced through passageways as the citadel fell into chaos. Smoke clouded the corridors. Selene coughed but Adrian shielded her with his cloak guiding her through hidden tunnels he had memorized long ago.

When they burst into the moonlit forest outside the walls Adrian pulled Selene into his arms.

We cannot return he said. You are no longer safe there.

Where do we go she asked breathlessly.

Anywhere the world cannot touch you.

Selene stared at him. And you will stay with me

Adrian hesitated only a heartbeat. Yes. Even if the realm burns I will stay with you.

Selene stepped closer. Then speak the vow. Tell me what your heart has hidden for so long.

His defenses finally crumbled. He cupped her face gently. Selene Raventon I have loved you all my life. From the moment you first took my hand in the courtyard to this moment beneath the moon. I vow to stand by you fight for you and love you regardless of the consequences.

Selene felt her heart bloom with fierce joy. Then I vow to love you Adrian Thorne until time itself fades.

A sudden warmth filled the clearing. The prophecy had changed. Destiny had rewritten itself by their courage to choose love.

Adrian pulled her into a kiss as the moon bathed them in silver. For the first time in her life Selene felt free.

Their journey ahead would be filled with danger rebellion and the struggle to unite the torn kingdoms. But together they would carve a future no prophecy could deny.

Love had broken fate and rebuilt it anew.