The victory of the Blood Moon trial barely settled when the palace felt colder, darker, as if the shadows themselves were watching, waiting.
Seraphina walked the corridors with Kael, every step measured, every glance alert. The taste of triumph still lingered, but so did the danger.
"She's planning something," Kael murmured, voice low, brushing his fingers along hers as they walked. "Mirella won't let this go."
Seraphina nodded, feeling the fire inside her flare. "Then let her try."
They entered the private training chamber—her sanctuary, now their shared domain. The torches flickered, and Kael's eyes never left her, dark and protective.
"I'll train you harder," he said, voice husky, "so nothing, no one… can touch you again."
Seraphina's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Harder?"
Kael stepped closer, heat radiating off him. "Much harder," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "And closer… than ever before."
Every movement they made in training that night was electric—strikes, parries, touches—all heightened by the danger lurking in the shadows. Kael's hand lingered on her waist longer than necessary, guiding, teasing, protective. Every glance, every brush of skin, every whispered command sent her pulse racing.
"You feel it?" he asked, voice low, almost a growl. "The connection between us… it's more than power. It's desire. Hunger. Fire."
"Yes," she admitted, heart racing. "And it scares me."
Kael leaned close, lips brushing her ear. "Good," he whispered. "Fear sharpens you. Desire drives me."
Before they could continue, a shadow moved—swift, silent, lethal.
Mirella.
She stepped from the darkness, eyes glinting, lips curved in a dangerous smile. "Practicing, my little human?"
Kael's hand shot to Seraphina's, pulling her close. "Stay behind me," he said, voice deadly calm.
"I'm not behind you," Seraphina said firmly. "I'm with you."
The two of them stood as one, their bond tangible—power and passion intertwined. Mirella's smirk faltered, realizing this wasn't the timid woman she had expected.
"You think you can defy me?" Mirella hissed.
"We already have," Kael growled, fingers tightening possessively on Seraphina's waist.
Seraphina stepped forward, her aura flaring with newfound strength. "And we'll keep defying you," she said, voice firm, eyes blazing.
Mirella's shadow faltered under the combined force of Seraphina's power and Kael's presence. For the first time, she hesitated.
Kael pressed a dark, possessive kiss against Seraphina's temple. "Always together," he whispered.
Seraphina's pulse raced. "Always," she replied.
Mirella's smirk returned—but with caution. "This isn't over," she said, retreating into the shadows.
Kael turned to Seraphina, lips brushing hers softly, dangerously. "And neither is what's about to come," he murmured.
The night stretched long and heavy with tension, power, and desire. The palace would remember this night—the night Seraphina and Kael stood together against the darkness, stronger than ever, their bond unbreakable.