”FASTER.” The Queen purrs.
Her voice smooth as velvet; yet sharp as a blade.
The King presses his polished Gucci loafer down on the gas pedal with precision.
The custom black Benz roars down the highway. The night air howls past them as the speedometer climbs—90, 100, 110…
“My love,” the King says. He glances at the Queen. A mix of excitement & anxiety in his voice. “I’m going as fast as I can.”
The Queen turns to him. Her bronze skin glows under the moonlight. She locks her brown eyes into his.
“That’s not my name tonight,” she hisses—her demeanor ice-cold.
The King’s grip on the wheel tightens. “I—I’m sorry, Enigma.”
A slow, sinister smile spreads across her lips. Her porcelain-white teeth gleams. The single dimple on her left cheek softens her dangerous beauty.
Enigma is playing one of her games again. But what is the motive this time?
Something shifted in her the night she saved him from the worst version of himself—his evil alter ego.
The King’s given her everything since then—his devotion, his time, his heart. And yet, he still can feel that something with her is off. Something has changed.
But the he’ll follow her into the unknown—no matter what it takes to prove his love to her; just as she does the same for him each year.
“Beloved, why are we in such a rush? Can you tell me where we’re going?” He asks in a steady voice.
“We’re almost there,” Enigma hums.
Her manicured fingers trail across his lips—her pointy red nail rests there for a moment.
“You look like a god tonight.”
The King blushes. “My goddess of love, your flattery weakens me,” he chuckles lightly.
Enigma is stunning nonetheless—draped in a black silk dress that clings to her like second skin. A pearl necklace sits against her collarbone; an eerie detail of blood-red diamonds drip from the unique treasure like frozen rubies.
Her black slingback heels cross primly in the passenger seat. She looks like a masterpiece.
He’s ready for whatever she has planned.
The car surges forward through the endless stretch of road until—
“Elusive, stop here.”
The King’s heart quickens at the name she assigns him for the night.
Enigma & Elusive—two fools in love; locked in another one of The Queen’s exhilarating gambles.
Elusive eases the car to a slow, deliberate stop in front of a grand mansion.
The home is like something out of a vintage catalog— pure elegance & sophistication. The symmetrical architecture; the ivy curled up the stone walls, the mahogany doors carved with intricate detail.
Enigma turns to him—that playful smile spreads across her face again.
“Are you ready?” She asks innocently.
He kisses her soft hand; feeling the warmth of her skin.
“I’m ready for whatever, my Enigma.” Elusive admits in a husky tone.
This place… it’s you. Classy, luxurious, timeless,” he continues.
She giggles, then reaches into her sleek black Kelly bag. She pulls out a red silk scarf that slips through her fingers like liquid fire.
“Elusive, let me put this on you, beautiful,” she sings.
His grin was boyish, but there’s heat in his gaze. “Put it on me, Enigma,” he moans.
He feels the soft material tighten around his eyes, plunging him into darkness. She takes his hand, leading him forward. He trusts her blindly to guide him deeper into her rabbit hole.
Inside is the intense aroma of aged books, fresh peonies, & burning cedarwood.
The clicking of Enigma’s kitten heels echo against the silence as they move through corridors—past rooms Elusive could not see. A door creaks open, & he feels himself being swept into a new space.
“Sit,” she commands.
He obeys, then sinks into what feels like a plush, velvet chair beneath his hands. His breathing slows—The game is shifting.
Enigma stands before him; her potent scent disarms his senses—he can’t move.
He smirks, still blindfolded
“What’s this about, my love?” He mutters through his beating heart.
“Elusive, I need you to do something for me.”she says, in her intoxicating tone.
“Anything for you”, he states.
Then—another voice enters the room.
The sound was familiar, yet foreign. Deep, velvety, dripping with power.
“Who is that?” Elusive demands, turning his head; though his vision still veiled.
Silence.
“You know who,” Enigma whispers.
The blood in his veins turn to ice..
He reaches up; ripping the scarf away from his eyes.
And there he is.
Elusive’s reflection stands before him. The alter ego Enigma fights to banish with her love.
“You thought you won, but she brought me back,” the entity utters in a low voice.
Elusive turns to Enigma, betrayal flickers in his eyes. “You… summoned him?”
Her eyes gleam like polished amber. “I see him now, Elusive. I see you. The darkness inside you isn’t something to destroy. It’s someone to love,” she explains with a sincere heart.
His stomach twists. “You’re in love with my dark side?” He asks her worriedly.
Enigma’s brown eyes burn into his. “I love you. And he is part of you,” she replies fiercely.
A cold chuckle echoes from his rival. “She understands what you do not, King. You cannot rule a kingdom without ruling yourself,” he coos playfully.
Enigma squeezes his hands. “Every year, I have to fight for you. I love your demons, embrace them, control them. But now, you must love yourself. You must face him.”
Elusive swallows. “You want me to—”
“Sacrifice your love for me,” she whispers. “Not to lose me. Confess your love to him & break the curse. To free him. To free yourself.”
For seven days, Elusive confronts his own torment. He fights, he argues, & he faces his deepest insecurities.
His identical darkness taunts him, & reminds him of every failure, every weakness, & every moment of self-doubt.
But through it all, Enigma watches. She never intervenes. She never saves him.
Because this time he has to save himself—And she loves both sides of him equally. Her love is limitless.
As the clock nears eleven on the seventh night— Elusive stands face to face with his nemesis.
For the first time, he sees himself.
Not an imposter. Not a monster. Just… a part of him—The part that needs love the most.
Tears burn his eyes. “I love you,” he confesses. “You are not my opponent. You are me. And I will no longer fight myself.”
The shadow stiffens. Then, something breaks.
The mansion shakes uncontrollably, the lights flicker on & off. Then— piercing silence.
The King opens his eyes. The Queen stands before him; her hands outstretched. Beside her is another version of him; smiling. The evil force—no longer an enemy, but a man. Complete. Free.
The curse is broken.
The kingdom is saved.
And for the first time in hundreds of years—the King is truly whole.
The three of them walk out together into the night—Light, darkness, & love.
