The first scream shattered the night.
I woke with a violent gasp, sitting upright as pain exploded through my chest. The bond burned hot—too hot—like molten iron pressed into my skin.
My vision swam, shadows crawling across the walls of my chambers as though the darkness itself had been disturbed.
"Kael," I whispered.
The door burst open.
He was already moving before I finished his name, crossing the room in a blink. His presence crushed the air, shadows snapping into place behind him like wings.
"Where does it hurt?" he demanded.
"Everywhere," I breathed.
Another scream echoed outside—closer this time.
Kael froze.
His jaw tightened, eyes darkening as the bond flared again, violent and unforgiving. He grabbed my wrist, fingers closing around my pulse.
"The curse has awakened," he said.
"I thought it already had."
"No," he replied grimly. "This is different."
Outside, steel clashed. Shouts rang through the palace corridors. Fear threaded through the bond, sharp and frantic—but it wasn't mine.
It was his.
"What's happening?" I asked.
Kael pulled me to my feet. "Someone crossed the inner wards."
A sharp pain ripped through my side. I cried out, collapsing into him as the shadows surged, cracking the marble floor beneath us.
Kael swore under his breath.
"They're using blood magic," he said.
"They're trying to provoke the curse."
"By hurting me?"
"No," he said softly. "By threatening you."
"They can't get close enough to hurt you."
Another scream—cut short.
The bond exploded.
Power tore through me like wildfire. The room darkened, shadows bending toward me as though I were their center. I gasped, clutching Kael's cloak as something ancient and furious stirred beneath my skin.
I could feel it.
The curse wasn't just a spell.
It was alive.
"Kael," I said shakily, "I can feel them."
He stilled. "What do you mean?"
"I know where they are."
His eyes snapped to mine. "That's impossible."
"I know where they are," I repeated. "And I know what they want."
Another pulse of pain surged outward, rattling the windows.
"They want you dead," I whispered. "But they'll settle for me."
"Since either way you'll still end up dead"
Kael's grip tightened. "You're not leaving this room."
"Not like I have a choice."
He stared at me—really stared this time—as if seeing something new.
Dangerously alluring.
"You're changing," he said quietly.
"So are you," I shot back.
For a moment, neither of us moved. The bond thrummed between us, heavy and demanding, pulling tight like a noose.
Then Kael cursed and pulled me against him.
"Stay behind me," he ordered. "Do not speak. Do not touch anyone."
"And if the curse—"
"I will handle it."
The corridor outside was chaos.
Bodies lay scattered across the stone floor—guards twisted unnaturally, shadows claw-marks etched into walls and ceilings. Blood pooled beneath them, still warm.
I swallowed hard.
"This is my fault."
Kael didn't look at me. "Wrong. This their mistake."
At the far end of the hall stood three figures cloaked in crimson, runes carved into their exposed skin. One of them smiled when he saw me.
"There she is," he said. "The devil's bride."
The curse screamed.
I staggered, doubling over as pain tore through my spine. Kael moved instantly, shadows exploding outward as he drew his blade.
"You will kneel," he said coldly, "or you will die."
The man laughed. "We already died the moment the curse chose her."
They attacked.
Magic slammed into Kael's shields, cracking them like glass. Shadows and blood magic collided violently, shaking the palace to its foundations.
I tried to move—but the bond locked me in place.
"No," I whispered. "Let me help."
Kael shouted my name as one of the attackers broke through his defenses, lunging toward me with a blade glowing red.
Something snapped.
The world went silent.
Then—
The shadows...
They obeyed me.
They surged forward, not wild or chaotic, but precise. Controlled. They wrapped around the attacker, lifting him off the ground as he screamed, limbs flailing.
I stared in horror.
"I didn't—"
"Finish it," Kael said urgently. "Elara, finish it!"
"I can't!"
The man's eyes met mine, terror flooding his face. "You're worse than him," he gasped.
The curse pulsed.
And I understood.
This wasn't about control.
It was about choice.
I closed my eyes.
The shadows tightened.
When I opened them again, the man was dead.
The remaining attackers fled—but the palace wards flared, trapping them. Kael ended it quickly, efficiently, without mercy.
When it was over, the silence felt heavier than the screams had.
I stared at my hands.
"They listened to me," I whispered.
Kael approached slowly, as if I might break.
"They always would," he said.
Tears burned my eyes. "I killed someone again."
"Yes," Kael replied gently. "And you saved countless others, again."
"That doesn't make me feel better."
"No," he agreed. "But it's necessary to keep you motivated."
I looked up at him, fear twisting in my chest. "What am I becoming?"
He cupped my face, thumb brushing away a tear before it could fall.
"My equal," he said quietly. "Or my end."
"Why does it seem like you're quite eager to meet your end," I said.
"Well, maybe I am, funny, I don't think I mind at all."
"You're getting better with your words," I comment.
Kael's lip lifts a little to form something that resembled a smirk and a smile.
The words settled between us like a prophecy.
Outside, dawn crept over the horizon, pale and unforgiving.
The curse slept again—but not deeply.
And I knew, with terrifying certainty, that it would wake once more.
Very, very,
Soon.