Marketplace

Avaris’ POV

I didn’t know where Dyvian planned to take me, and truth be told, I wasn’t excited about it. Prince Theodore’s warning rang in my mind like a dull drumbeat: “Be careful around him, Avaris.”

After changing into something more comfortable, I stepped out of my room. I found Dyvian already waiting for me, leaning nonchalantly against the wall as if he controlled time. His dark eyes flicked over me, a lazy smirk spreading across his lips.

“Well, don’t you look pretty,” he said smoothly.

I froze, my brows pulling into a frown. “I’m a man. A young man,” I retorted.

“A pretty young man,” Dyvian teased, his grin widening.

My blood boiled with anger. “Don’t call me that,” I snapped.

He pushed off the wall, stepping closer. “From now on, you will need to stay close to me,” he said in an unusually solemn tone.

Before I could ask why, Dyvian grabbed me by the arm. “Wait—”

A sudden whoosh surrounded us, and before I could blink, we were no longer in the villa.

The ground moved under me, and I stumbled. Now we were on a broad rock above a busy scene below. Thousands and thousands of voices rose into the air like a chaotic wave.

I looked down and froze.

It was the Grand Dukedom’s largest marketplace. Crowded and noisy, with merchants shouting over one another as they advertised their goods.

Stalls and carts stretched endlessly in every direction. It was busy, too busy, with people moving like a sea of ants—buying, selling, laughing, arguing.

A deeper sensation that tasted of longing, rather than fear, made my stomach turn.

“So what are we doing here?” I asked Dyvian, trying to sound as uninterested as possible. “This is a—”

“Marketplace,” Dyvian finished. “Yes, I know. I need to see someone here.”

“Someone who can help us?”

With uncertainty flitting across his face, he cocked his head. “Maybe. But for now, I need to grab someone real quick. Stick close. Don’t fall behind.”

He grabbed my hand and started dragging me toward the thronging crowd before I could protest.

The market was louder up close. The air smelled of roasted meats, spiced wines, and earthy herbs. Merchants raved about jewelled trinkets, rare silks, and cures for diseases I had never heard of.

A strange tightness pulled at my chest. I was never allowed to leave the house as a child, nor was I ever allowed to see the outside world beyond the well-guarded walls. Even after I reached adulthood and demanded to travel, I was kept in private quarters or carriages, away from the city I was keen to explore.

I had never been here before. And now, as I moved through the market, I felt both enthralled and constrained, my heart pounding with a sense of loss.

“Keep up, Little Doll,” Dyvian said, jerking me from my thoughts.

“Stop calling me that,” I hissed, but he ignored me.

Eventually, we stopped in front of a building—Coveta Inn.

My eyes widened. Of course, I’d heard of this place. It was infamous. A place where lust and alcohol were the norm, where sin and indulgence were rampant.

I shot Dyvian a look. “I’m not entering there with you.”

His tone was annoyingly casual as he said, “Come on, Little Doll, I just need to get someone.”

“Don’t call me that anymore, Your Highness!” I snapped. “This place doesn’t suit someone of noble blood.”

Dyvian merely grinned. “Nobility, huh? Come on.”

Before I could protest further, he dragged me inside.

The inn was just what I had been afraid of. The smell of smoke and alcohol permeated the air.

As they cooed and giggled, women threw themselves across men, their silken gowns falling off their shoulders. Musicians played a rowdy tune in the corner, while half of the audience ignored them completely, shouting over the music as they tossed coins and dice across wooden tables.

As Dyvian dragged me through, the women turned their attention to us. Some strolled over, looking at Dyvian for a moment before moving in my direction. One even reached out, her fingers brushing against my sleeve.

“You’re a cute one,” she purred.

I flinched away, glaring at Dyvian. “I feel sick.”

As he led me farther into the inn, he held on to my hand tightly and refused to let go. “You’ll survive,” he muttered.

Just as I thought I might lose all patience, a man on the far end of the room spotted Dyvian. His face twisted in shock before he bolted for the door.

“Fuck,” Dyvian muttered under his breath.

Without warning, he took off after the man, dragging me along with him.

“Wait—Dyvian!” I stumbled, trying to keep up as we crashed through the crowded inn. Patrons shouted in confusion as we darted past them, tables overturning. My legs ached with each step, and my chest burned as my breaths became shallow.

The man burst through the door, sprinting into the empty streets, and Dyvian gave chase. All I could do was follow, breathing hard and my vision going blurry.

Finally, we stopped in a secluded alley. With his dark eyes shining with something ruthless, the man we had been pursuing turned to face us.

“What brings the great Dyvian to chase a low life demon on foot?” the man sneered. “Don’t tell me the rumors are true. Did your summon drain your powers?”

Despite the amusement dancing in his eyes, Dyvian's expression was still unreadable.

I, on the other hand, was doubled over, gasping for air. “Your Highness, please—let go of me,” I wheezed.

The man gave me a brief look, a cunning smile curling his lips. “So this is him? The one who summoned you? Such a pretty boy.”

“Stop with the nonsense, Arvo,” Dyvian snapped. “Go back to the underworld for your punishment.”

Arvo barked out a laugh. “And you think I’d listen to you? Just because you—”

Before he could finish, there was a crackling sound in the air. Black lightning struck him, knocking him to the ground.

A figure landed from the sky, draped in a dark hood that concealed his face.

“Chatty,” the figure said flatly. “Too chatty.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. Who was this now?

The hooded figure turned to Dyvian, his face shadowed. “You were looking for me, weren’t you?” His gaze flicked toward me. “And you brought this? What a weak little thing.”

I clenched my fists and felt my cheeks heat up. “Weak? Me? I’m not weak!” I blurted out.

Before I could say another word, Dyvian held up his hand. A swirling, circular portal appeared midair. Crumpled on the ground, Arvo was raised by an invisible force and his body twisted toward the portal.

“Wait—what are you—” Arvo’s shout was cut off as he vanished into the circle, which closed behind him with a faint snap.

The alley was eerily silent. I stared at Dyvian, utterly lost. “What… what just happened?”

Dyvian didn’t answer me immed

iately. Instead, he turned to the hooded figure. “You’re going to help me fix this bond. Whether you want to or not.”