The air was heavier here, the atmosphere darker. The corridor was lined with deep shadows, broken only by the faint flicker of low-hanging lanterns. Heiko moved with confidence, his strides purposeful, as though he was perfectly at home in this place. River, on the other hand, felt her unease grow.
Finally, he stopped in front of another door. Without waiting for her, Heiko pushed it open and stepped inside. River hesitated briefly, but she had no choice but to follow.
Her breath caught as she stepped into the room. It was immense, like something out of a dream, or perhaps a nightmare. The walls were draped in dark fabrics, and the furniture was rich and imposing, all in deep mahogany and onyx tones.
In the center of the room stood a massive bed, so large it seemed almost surreal, its
