Ruria had never slept so uneasily in her life. Her chambers, though lavish, felt alive in ways that frightened her. The candlelight flickered unnaturally, shadows twisting and shifting as if watching her every move. Her pulse had not yet slowed since the previous day's events, when Vaelor had shown her the true breadth of his solitary power, the full weight of his conquest. Every heartbeat reminded her of the heads on display, the Demon King's right hand, and the knowledge that this man had toppled half the world alone.
Despite her fear, exhaustion eventually pulled her under. She awoke later in the night to find herself not alone. Vaelor was lying next to her, his white hair spilling over the pillow like a pale river, crimson eyes closed, his chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths. His face looked… innocent.
Innocent. That word made her heart twist.
The man who had conquered continents alone, the Emperor of Ash and Ivory, the one who had brought kingdoms to their knees, looked for a fleeting moment like any other man. His expression was serene, almost peaceful, and something inside Ruria stirred. Curiosity. Something darker than fear, something that danced dangerously close to desire.
She studied him silently, her pulse quickening. His eyelashes rested gently against pale skin, the fine line of his jaw relaxed. There was no threat here, no war, no power. Only him. And yet, she knew better. She knew he was lethal, always.
Her mind, reckless with a mixture of exhaustion and curiosity, whispered a dangerous thought.
What would happen if I…
Her fingers brushed against his chest, testing the softness that belied his iron strength. She moved her hand to his throat, almost unconsciously, and with a flick of her wrist, she tried to strangle him, her curiosity burning hotter than fear.
He did not move.
Ruria's heart lurched. She tightened her grip slightly. There was still no reaction. Panic and fascination tangled in her chest. Was he… dead? Or pretending?
Then, as her grip increased, Vaelor's eyes opened suddenly, crimson irises slicing through the darkness, glowing faintly with power that made her shiver violently. The effect was instantaneous. His body tensed, yet he did not move against her.
"You are foolish," he said softly, a low, dangerous rumble that vibrated against her bones. "Do you really wish to test me in my sleep?"
Ruria froze, hands trembling. "I… I just wanted to see…" Her voice trailed off.
"I know exactly what you wanted," Vaelor whispered, sitting up with a movement so swift and fluid it made her gasp. "Curiosity is a dangerous thing, Princess. You should learn that."
Her fingers fell away, trembling. She realized with horror that she had never actually had control here, not truly. His body, even asleep, had defense mechanisms, a built-in protection that rendered her attempt utterly pointless. She felt like a child, caught and scolded by a god.
He leaned closer, letting his hand hover just above hers, his gaze piercing. "Do you not understand? Everything about me is… dangerous. And even when I sleep, I am not defenseless. I have survived alone in this world because I cannot afford weakness. Do you think your hands, small and soft, could harm me?"
Ruria swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing. "I… I didn't think…"
"You did." Vaelor's voice was soft now, almost amused, though the edge remained, sharp enough to make her heart race. "And yet, you tried. Perhaps you are learning the truth of what it means to be near me. You are not safe. You never will be. Even curiosity can kill."
Her pulse raced. The combination of fear, shame, and something else—something dangerous and thrilling—made her tremble. She could not pull her gaze away from him, not even when she felt utterly exposed.
Vaelor smiled faintly, a predator amused by its prey, though there was no malice here, only a test, a lesson. He leaned down, brushing his lips against her forehead in a gesture that was both intimate and dominant. "And yet," he murmured, "you fascinate me, Ruria. You are reckless, daring, foolish… but you are mine. And I will teach you, slowly, the difference between curiosity and understanding."
She swallowed, shivering despite the warmth of his body. "I… I will try to understand," she whispered, almost inaudibly.
He chuckled softly, a low, musical sound that sent a ripple through her chest. "Try? Princess, there is no trying with me. You will obey, you will learn, and you will survive. That is not a choice. That is necessity. And if you fail…" His crimson eyes darkened, a storm within them. "I will still keep you alive, because you are mine. But do not mistake survival for mercy. I do not grant mercy easily."
Ruria's hands curled into fists against the sheets, fear and fascination warring in her chest. "I understand," she whispered again, this time more firmly, though her voice trembled with the weight of the truth.
Vaelor rested his head beside hers again, his white hair brushing her cheek, and spoke softly, almost tenderly. "Sleep now, Princess. Sleep, and dream of power, of fear, and of what it means to belong to me."
Her eyes closed reluctantly, exhaustion finally overcoming her. And as she drifted, her mind filled with the memory of his warning, his body, the terrifying strength he wielded alone, and the strange, intoxicating feeling of being utterly, completely his.
When she awoke, the sun was low in the sky. Vaelor was already awake, standing by the window, gazing out over his lands. Ruria watched him silently, her pulse still thrumming with fear and a dangerous curiosity that would not leave her. She realized that every moment near him would be a test, every gesture, every glance, every word a lesson in survival, desire, and power.
"You are awake," he said without turning.
"Yes," she replied, her voice cautious. "I… slept."
"You slept," he repeated, his tone flat, almost satisfied, "but do not think that will save you from what comes next."
Her pulse quickened. "What comes next?"
Vaelor turned then, crimson eyes locking onto hers, and the faintest of smiles curved his lips. "Everything, Princess. Everything you have yet to see, feel, and endure. You are mine, and the world will teach you the rest."
Ruria's breath caught, her body trembling once more. She did not know whether it was fear, anticipation, or something darker she had never felt before. And as she watched him, the man who had toppled half the world alone, she realized that no matter what came, she would never be able to look at power, fear, or love the same way again.
She had entered the storm. She was in his world now. And she was beginning to understand that with Vaelor, there was no turning back.