IVORY KNIVES

Ruby

We were at Eterna Notte—a place made of dreams and legacy. This castle didn't just house us, it watched us. It had 78 rooms total, including two grand studios for dance, two sunlit art rooms, 13 lavish bedrooms, a large infinity pool that went deep into silence, a private gym, gardens kissed by Tuscany's wind, and a sprawling horse arena so vast it felt like a realm of its own.

When we arrived, the staff bowed deeply. Their movements weren't just of habit—they bowed with reverence. Like they were greeting a goddess. Aveline wasn't in her senses. Her face spelled shock in every blink. We walked to the master suite—the one with the double doors leading to a balcony that overlooked the horse grounds.

For now, I needed rest.

The next morning, I woke up early, drawn by instinct to that very balcony. I stood there, gazing at the Horse Grounds of Eterna Notte.

Some people have therapists. Some people cry. Me? I saddle up a thousand pounds of muscle and rage and ride like I'm outrunning fate.

These horse grounds… they've always belonged to me. Even before I could spell my name, I could ride. My father said it ran in our blood—control, balance, dominance. Every Daniel learns to ride, but only the true heir owns the wild.

I walked out to the stables.

Obsidian was pacing, agitated, the same way my insides were. His hooves clicked like clockwork anxiety. My hand pressed to his flank, calming him.

"Easy, boy," I whispered. "Not killing anyone today."

The staff bowed as I passed. I ignored them.

The arena echoed with distant hoofbeats. One of the boys rode Seraphine across the track. Good. At least someone was keeping the rhythm alive.

But me? I needed to burn the silence.

Mounted on Obsidian—no saddle, no softness—just raw fury and wind.

We tore through the arches, past olive groves, over violet-dusted hills.

To my place.

The cliff.

My cliff.

The one no one else knew about.

There, on that ledge, with the world beneath me and Obsidian breathing hard, I only thought of her.

Aveline.

Could she ever ride beside me? Could she handle the weight of this world?

Would she love the monster I became when the world asked too much?

Maybe tomorrow, I'll bring her here.

Or maybe I'll ride away before she ever tames me.

---

When I returned that afternoon, I saw her.

Aveline.

She was playing with Leon, light spilling through her hair. And then she saw me—and walked over. In her eyes: sparks. Curiosity.

Obsidian didn't let anyone touch him. He was a beast built from bone and war. But when Aveline reached out, slowly, gently—he didn't pull away. He sat on her level.

"Ruby," she whispered, voice full of awe, "he didn't flinch."

No. He didn't. Like even he knew who she was.

I saddled Obsidian again.

She asked me to teach her.

Her soft jeans, that loose shirt, hair tied like a careless crown. She smelled like vanilla and new beginnings.

"Teach me," she said, smiling.

And I nodded.

She climbed up first. Unsure. Wobbly. I settled in behind her. One hand on the reins. The other…

Resting on her waist.

"Relax, Rabbit," I murmured. "Don't be tense."

"If I fall," she grumbled under her breath, "I swear I won't talk to you."

I smirked. "Never."

She nodded. Her breath hitched when Obsidian began moving. First slow. Then faster.

Her back pressed against me. Her laugh—the soft kind that feels like safety.

And all I could think was: Why do you still trust me?

And then it hit me.

I was falling.

Not in the fragile way.

In the way that makes you dangerous.

Because if I fall for her… I'll burn the world to protect her.

She turned slightly. "You're quiet."

"Thinking," I replied, tightening my hold.

"About what?"

You. How your laugh is better than gunfire. How you smell like peace and ruin. How I'd kill for you, even if you never loved me.

"Nothing," I lied.

The sun dipped, casting golden light across Eterna Notte.

And I knew—this ride was the beginning of something I could never outrun.

Obsidian moved forward, and she gasped. My arm was firm around her waist, the heat of her back against my chest.

We rode.

The wind, the rhythm, the trees blurring past. And in that moment, with her breath in my ear.

Am I falling for her… again?

And worse—

Am I still falling for her?

I honestly couldn't think straight anymore...

We went back. I took a long shower and went to sleep.

Few day's later

I woke up in the early morning and admiring the view from balcony while I was admiring the view the door knock and the maid said, "Master, someone's here to meet you." Aveline, sleepy from bed, said, "Were you expecting any company, Ruby?"

Definitely not, Rabbit.

Anyways, I went to the living room and saw Luna and Adam.

Adam: "Hi, Mr. Hot Handsome Mafia." I replied, "Why the hell are you here?" Adam: "Ouch. Wounded me, girl."

Aveline came and said, "Who's here?"—in her silk robe, standing beside me. She smiled when she saw the two idiots.

Luna said, "Well, we didn't want to disturb you guys on your honeymoon, so instead of calling, we came to surprise you."

"Ruby—the person Millet you were looking for," Adam added.

"That bastard who stole 3 million?" I said.

Adam and Luna nodded.

Luna continued, more serious now. "He's in Italy somewhere, hiding. So until we finish him—we're staying with you."

I nodded. "But Adam is sleeping with Leon."

He choked on the drink the maid had brought. "Why the fuck me?!"

Aveline giggled. "Adam, take good care of Leon, okay?"

I asked, "Wanna do horse riding with me?"

They both screamed in unison, "Hell yeah."

I smirked.

Obsidian was mine. For them, the staff brought out two horses—one grey, wild and free, perfect for Adam; and a beautiful brown one, graceful and clever, perfect for Luna.

I asked Aveline, "Wanna ride with us?"

She shook her head. "No, you guys go. I'll watch from here."

In Eterna Notte, there's an area made for private horse riding inside the castle grounds. A perfect view even for spectators.

Luna and Adam knew how to ride—under my influence, of course.

We rode. They were tired. I wasn't.

Afterwards, they collapsed onto chairs, dead tired. I gently stroked Obsidian's face.

"Good boy, Obsidian. Good boy."

Aveline watched us from the terrace. She stood and laughed, sweet and light.

She was the only one Obsidian ever let touch him. She played with him, and he...

Obsidian lowered his head—slow, deliberate—like the beast who bowed to no one finally knelt before a queen.

Aveline froze.

"Did he just—?"

I nodded once, chest tight.

Even he knows who you are to me, Rabbit.

I said in my mind.

Adam stared. "Wow. Obsidian actually let her touch him."

Luna laughed. "He knows, Adam. He knows who's worthy."

Adam added with fake anger, "I tried once and he nearly killed me. Idiot."

I chuckled.

Aveline looked healthy. She was eating well. I sighed, watching her innocent touches on Obsidian.

That night after dinner, I walked into the backyard. Luna joined me.

She was quiet for a second, then said, "So… you're falling again, huh?"

I didn't say anything. Just nodded.

"If I fall, Luna… my world will hurt her," I whispered.

"So you're admitting it," she said. "This girl wraps you around her fingers."

I scoffed. "Even if I love her, I'll protect her with my cold self. If I show softness, they'll use her against me. If protecting her means being heartless—then I'll be heartless."

She patted my shoulder. "Your art, your mother told you to continue it. And you, Ruby… if protecting her means being soft, being honest, letting her stand beside you—then that's what you do. Be a beast for the world. But for her? Be soft."

I nodded. "I will, Luna. But for now… I protect her the only way I know how."