Chapter Twelve: Trial of the Artifact
The cathedral's altar pulsed with violet energy, the artifact hovering like a heartbeat in the darkness. Aria's chest tightened, her fingers brushing the air as if she could feel the orb's power calling to her.
"Be careful," Kael warned, his hand lingering near hers, a tether of unspoken trust. "Artifacts like this are more than they seem. One wrong move… and we could lose everything."
Aria swallowed, nodding. Her pulse raced, not just from fear, but from the closeness of Kael, the warmth of his hand brushing hers, the invisible threads of their bond tightening with every heartbeat.
The orb shuddered, releasing a shockwave of energy that pushed them both back. Shadows sprang from the walls, forming spectral guardians with jagged edges and glowing eyes.
"Looks like they want to test us," Kael murmured, stepping in front of her. "Stay close."
Aria's palms glowed, threads of golden light weaving through the shadows, cutting them back. Kael moved seamlessly with her, his magic and skill amplifying hers. Every glance, every brush of their hands, every movement was synchronized—danger and connection entwined.
The shadows coalesced into a massive figure, towering and menacing. Aria froze, the tether pulsing violently. Kael's hand shot out, gripping hers. "You're not alone," he whispered.
They moved together, striking and dodging, weaving light and shadow into a dance of power. Sparks leapt from the contact of their magic, brushing their arms and hands. Every time their fingers touched, the tether flared, sending heat and energy racing through them both.
"Aria… trust me," Kael said, eyes locked on hers. "Focus on us, not them."
Her heart hammered. "I do," she breathed, letting the tether guide her, letting their bond be her anchor.
With a final surge, they combined their magic, a radiant wave of golden and silver energy that shattered the shadow guardian into wisps of smoke. The orb floated gently, unharmed, but its glow softened as if acknowledging their strength.
Kael's hand lingered on hers after the trial, fingers brushing lightly. "You did it," he said softly, voice rough with admiration.
Aria's chest burned. "We did it," she corrected, pulse racing. The tether between them thrummed with life, visible in the way their hands fit together, the way their hearts seemed to beat in unison.
Kael's gaze softened, and for a fleeting moment, the world outside—the Shadow Court, the prophecy, the danger—all vanished. It was just the two of them, tethered together by choice, trust, and something neither arrow nor spell could control.
But Lysara's shadow lingered beyond the cathedral, her eyes narrowing in fury. "They grow stronger… and their hearts are exposed," she whispered. "This is only the beginning."
Aria and Kael stood in the silence after the trial, breaths heavy, hands still intertwined. The tether between them was no longer invisible—it was alive, pulsing, undeniable.
And deep down, Aria knew that whatever the Shadow Court planned next, they would face it together—stronger, braver, and bound by a connection that was as dangerous as it was real.