The Outer Sanctum trembled.
Seraphina staggered as the ancient runes along the walls flared violently, light cracking through stone like lightning trapped beneath skin. The air burned—hot, restless, alive.
Kael…
She felt him coming.
Not footsteps.
Not sound.
Intent.
The bond surged, roaring through her veins like fire freed from a cage. Her breath hitched as power gathered at her core, responding to the pull she could no longer deny.
"Stop," the stranger warned sharply, stepping back. "If you let it grow—"
The gates exploded inward.
Stone shattered. Shadows tore apart. A wave of dark energy flooded the sanctum, knocking the stranger off his feet as a single figure stepped through the smoke.
Kael.
His eyes were black with fury, his aura raw and uncontrolled, power rolling off him like a storm barely held together by will alone.
"Get away from her," he said.
The stranger didn't argue. One look at Kael's expression was enough. He vanished into the mist without another word.
Silence fell—heavy, electric.
Seraphina turned slowly.
Kael crossed the distance between them in three long strides, stopping only inches away. He looked her over with fierce intensity, hands hovering at her waist as if afraid to touch her and afraid not to.
"Are you hurt?" he demanded.
"No," she whispered. "But you broke council law."
His jaw tightened. "I don't care."
Her heart slammed against her ribs. "Kael—"
"You felt it," he interrupted, voice low and rough. "The danger. The lie. They sent you here to break you."
His hand finally closed around her wrist, firm, grounding. The contact sent a shock through both of them.
The sanctum reacted instantly.
Light and shadow spiraled together, wrapping around them like living things. The bond flared—brilliant, overwhelming, undeniable.
Seraphina gasped as power surged through her, hotter than before, deeper, answering him completely.
"Kael…" Her voice trembled. "This place—"
"I know," he said, stepping closer, his forehead resting against hers. "But I couldn't stay away."
Her fingers curled into his coat, breath shallow. "Neither could I."
For a moment, nothing existed but heat and connection. The world narrowed to shared breath, shared pulse, shared fire.
Kael lifted her chin gently, reverently. "This bond isn't weakening," he murmured. "It's evolving."
"And if the council sees—"
"Let them," he said fiercely. "I won't choose obedience over you."
That broke something inside her.
She rose onto her toes and kissed him.
Not hesitant.
Not restrained.
The kiss was deep, consuming, charged with everything they had been denying. Power surged outward, rattling the sanctum walls as light burst from the runes like a heartbeat gone wild.
Kael's arms wrapped around her instantly, pulling her close, holding her like she was the only thing anchoring him to reason.
When they finally pulled apart, foreheads pressed together, both breathing hard, the sanctum was glowing—changed.
Kael exhaled slowly. "They'll come for us now."
Seraphina smiled, eyes bright with fire. "Good."
She placed her hand over his heart, feeling the bond pulse strong and alive beneath her palm.
"Because I'm done being tested," she said softly. "If they want to fear something… let it be us."
The sanctum answered with a low, approving hum.
Far away, in the palace, Lady Mirella screamed as the council chamber shattered under a surge of power they could no longer contain.
The bond had awakened.
And there was no sealing it again.