The night wind howled around them as Kael pulled Lira deeper into the forest.
Every step burned.
Every breath tasted of blood and iron.
But he didn't stop.
Not while Lira's hand grew colder in his.
Not while her steps stumbled more and more.
Not while he could still hear the distant horns of the hunters.
The pendant at Lira's throat flickered weakly, its silver light pulsing like a dying heartbeat.
"Kael… slower… I can't…"
Kael swung his arm around her waist, lifting her effortlessly against him. Her head drooped against his chest, her hair brushing his chin.
"You used too much light magic," he said, voice low and tight.
"I… I didn't mean to…" she whispered.
Kael's jaw clenched.
Light magic always demanded a price.
And hers was heavy.
He looked at the dim pendant. Its glow was almost gone—like it had poured every last drop of power into protecting Kael.
And Lira.
Light and shadow had collided inside that cave… and somehow, she didn't burn him.
He didn't know if that was fate or danger.
Or both.
---
They reached the foot of the mountains—jagged cliffs rising like black teeth into the clouded sky. A narrow path wound upward, half hidden by vines and rocks.
Lira shivered violently.
Kael lowered her against a boulder and cupped her face.
Her skin was ice-cold.
Her breathing shallow.
Her eyelids fluttered.
"Lira," he whispered, shaking her gently. "Look at me."
She tried to smile. "I'm okay…"
The pendant around her neck sparked weakly—and went dark.
Completely dark.
Lira's body went limp.
Kael caught her instantly.
"No… no, stay awake."
His voice cracked—something that had never happened before.
He pressed a hand against her chest, feeling her heartbeat.
Slow.
Weak.
Every instinct inside him screamed.
Fix her.
Help her.
Save her.
Do something.
But he had never saved anyone in his life.
He only destroyed.
Lira's fingers curled around his sleeve. "Kael… your shadows… they're cold…"
He looked down.
The shadows around him writhed in confusion, reaching toward her but unable to touch her without hurting her.
He whispered, "Why did you come with me? Why risk yourself?"
Lira smiled faintly. "Because you needed someone…"
Her voice was fading.
"…and so did I."
Kael's throat tightened.
The girl who saved him…
Was dying because of him.
And then—
A whisper rose from the shadows at his feet.
Not the usual hunger.
Something else.
Give her your shadow.
Bind her life to yours.
Share your strength.
Kael froze.
This was forbidden magic.
Forbidden even in the Shadow Forge.
A life-bond.
Lira's breath trembled. "Kael…?"
He stared at her—helpless and terrified.
If he bonded her to his shadows, she would live.
But she would be tied to him forever.
To his darkness.
To his pain.
To his curse.
She wouldn't be human anymore.
She wouldn't be free.
And Kael knew one thing with absolute certainty:
He didn't deserve someone like her bound to him.
But if he didn't…
She would die.
The hunters' horns echoed again, closer.
They were coming.
Kael pulled Lira against his chest, burying his face in her hair.
His voice shook.
"I don't want to lose you."
Lira's hand brushed his cheek weakly.
"You… won't…"
She didn't know what he was considering.
She trusted him completely.
Kael closed his eyes.
Then opened them.
They glowed pure black.
One decision.
One sin.
One bond that could never be undone.
Kael lifted his hand over Lira's heart.
The shadows swirled, whispering ancient words of binding.
He hesitated—just once.
"Forgive me," he breathed.
And then he let the darkness answer the light.