CROWN OF FORBIDDEN HEARTS
Chapter 37: WE FOUND HIM!

Chapter 37: 37: WE FOUND HIM!

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Zara sat in her chambers, staring at her reflection in the polished mirror before her.

Her face looked different, cold and detached, like a stranger’s face, a mask she had to wear every day.

The weight of the love bind was heavier now, pulling at her heart, twisting it into painful knots with every thought she had about Erythian.

The magic, the dark, suffocating magic that forced her to feel love for Alaric, was a torment she could not escape.

Every time she tried to break free, it clung to her like a chain, dragging her down into the depths of her own weakness.

The truth was clear now: this fight against Alaric was not just about power or politics. It was about survival.

He was not the man she had once imagined him to be.

The man she had married was ruthless, dangerous, and willing to do anything to keep his grip on the throne.

He had already proven that by killing Mera, by throwing her own allies into the fire.

Her heart felt like it was being torn in two, one part of her still grieved for Erythian, the love of her life, the man who had been her everything.

The other part of her, the part she had tried so desperately to ignore, felt a pull towards Alaric, a pull that she hated, but couldn’t escape.

she realised that the plan had to change.

She had to fight, She decided to learn to manipulate him, to use the very magic that enslaved her to turn the tables. And if it meant pretending to submit, pretending to love him, then she would do it. She would play this game, and she would win.

The next day, Zara knew exactly how to begin. She dressed carefully, choosing the gown she knew Alaric liked, deep red, the color of passion, of desire.

The color that he thought would make her look like the obedient, beautiful queen he believed he had tamed. But inside, her heart was planning something far different.

She walked into the throne room, her steps measured, her posture perfect, as though she had fully accepted the role of the queen Alaric wanted. When their eyes met, he smiled, a smile that sent a shiver down her spine.

"My Queen," he said, his voice low and rough. "You look stunning today." His eyes roamed over her body, lingering just a little too long on the curves of her form.

Her stomach twisted, but she kept her face neutral. "Thank you, my king," she replied, her voice soft, laced with sweetness.

The words felt like poison on her tongue, but she had to play her part. For now.

Alaric stepped closer, his hand reaching for hers. Zara allowed him to take it, her mind racing, heart pounding. She could feel the heat of his touch, the possessiveness that radiated from him. But she had to keep her focus. This was just the beginning.

"You’ve been distant lately," he murmured, his voice taking on a more dangerous tone. "Why is that, my queen?"

Zara met his gaze, letting a soft, almost shy smile tug at the corners of her lips. "I’m just tired, Alaric," she said, lowering her gaze in a gesture of submission. "The weight of everything is becoming too much for me."

He lifted her chin with a finger, his touch gentle but firm. "I’m here, Zara," he said, his voice almost tender. "You don’t have to carry this burden alone. Let me help you."

Zara held her breath. The love bind twisted painfully inside her, forcing her to feel something for him, something close to affection, but it was a lie. A cruel, twisted lie.

"I know, Alaric," she whispered, allowing herself to lean into him, her voice soft and seductive. "I need you."

She could see the way his expression softened, the way his desire flared in his eyes. He didn’t suspect a thing. Zara was playing her role perfectly. She had to keep him believing that she was just the devoted queen, that she would never betray him, that she was his and his alone.

Every step she took, every word she spoke, was carefully calculated.

She had no choice. If she wanted to survive, if she wanted to save her people, this was the only way.

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That night, Alaric took her in his arms. It wasn’t the first time, but tonight, Zara allowed herself to let go, to pretend that the touch of his hands on her skin was what she truly wanted. The love bind forced her to respond, to feel the pull of desire in ways that made her sick. But she did not resist. She allowed herself to feel it, just for a moment, as a part of her plan. She let him believe that she had truly submitted to him, that she had truly fallen for him.

Their intimacy was passionate, intense. But it felt empty to Zara, like an act she was performing for a man who didn’t deserve her. Still, she gave herself to him, knowing that every second brought her one step closer to her goal.

Days passed, and Alaric’s trust in her grew. She had him exactly where she wanted him, wrapped around her finger. She could see it in the way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her. He was obsessed, completely captivated by the woman she pretended to be. He believed she was his, body and soul.

But Zara was far from his puppet. The rebellion was growing in the shadows, and she was ready to ignite it. She was already planning her next move. Every conversation with Alaric, every moment spent pretending to love him, was a step in her strategy.

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One evening, Zara paced the length of her chamber.

The heavy door to her chamber opened abruptly, and Lady Vaelor stepped in, her eyes darting nervously around before meeting Zara’s gaze. She was pale, a nervous energy vibrating around her, as if she carried the weight of an earth-shattering secret.

Zara’s heart skipped a beat. What now?

"What is it?" Zara asked, her voice tight with anxiety. Lady Vaelor had been her courtly, second in command after scarlet but most of all, she had been her secret ally.

"I... I have news," Lady Vaelor whispered, stepping closer. Her voice shook slightly, her hands trembling as if unsure whether to speak the words aloud. "Bad news, but... also news that changes everything."

Zara’s breath hitched. Her heart hammered in her chest. Was it about the rebellion? Were their plans compromised? She couldn’t afford any mistakes.

"Tell me," Zara urged, her voice hoarse.

Lady Vaelor hesitated, eyes flicking around once more as if searching for danger. Then, as if she had no choice but to speak, she leaned in closer, her voice barely a whisper. "It’s about Erythian."

The world seemed to freeze. Zara felt her pulse surge, her breath catching in her throat. Erythian. The man she had loved—lost—was the only thought that ever truly brought her peace, even if it was fleeting. She had never stopped mourning him. The thought of him still alive, still somewhere out there, had kept her fighting.

"What about him?" Zara demanded, her voice sharp now, a tremor of fear seeping in. "Is he alive? Tell me, is he alive?"

Lady Vaelor’s eyes flickered, a shadow crossing her face. "I’m sorry, Your Majesty. But... Erythian’s body... was found."

Zara’s world tilted. The words hit her like a violent blow. She staggered back, almost losing her balance. She reached out, her hand gripping the nearest table to steady herself. Her breath was ragged, her heart pounding violently in her chest. .

"Where?" The word escaped her lips before she could stop it. "Where was he found?"

Lady Vaelor stepped closer, her face etched with sympathy but also with an underlying urgency. "The reports say... he was discovered in the northern forests. They say it’s him, Your majesty."

Zara froze at the news.

Erythian’s body, once strong and full of life, now lay lifeless in an abandoned location.

"I never got to say goodbye," Zara whispered, her voice breaking with each word. "I never got to... to tell you how much I loved you."

Her heart felt as though it were being torn to pieces, but the love bind wouldn’t let her forget Alaric. It was as though the spell mocked her, twisting the very love she had for Erythian into something painful and ugly.

She didn’t want to feel Alaric. She wanted Erythian. But the magic demanded she stay connected to Alaric, and every part of her rebelled against it.

Zara held on to her chest tightly and fell to her knees, she weeped and weeped and mourned the death of the man she once held so dear to her heart, a man she wanted to spend all eternity with but as she weeped, the pain from the cruel love spell crippled her.

"I must acquire his body...and I must give him a proper burial" Zara looked up and said to lady vaelor.

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