The castle was quieter than usual that night.
After the gathering in the great hall, most of the nobles had returned to their chambers, and the servants moved softly through the corridors.
Elena walked through the moonlit hallway toward the gardens.
She wanted a moment alone.
The cool night air helped calm her thoughts.
The evening dance with Kael kept replaying in her mind.
The way he had looked at her.
The way his arm had wrapped around her waist as if she belonged there.
Her heart fluttered just thinking about it.
But something suddenly felt… wrong.
The air was too still.
Elena stopped walking.
"Kael?" she called softly, even though she knew he wasn't there.
Then she heard footsteps behind her.
Slow.
Deliberate.
She turned.
Lady Seraphine stepped out from the shadows.
But this time she wasn't alone.
Two armored men stood behind her.
Seraphine smiled coldly.
"Well… the little bride wandered away from her monster."
Elena's heart began to pound.
"What do you want?"
Seraphine laughed softly.
"You."
The two men moved forward instantly.
Elena raised her hands.
Golden light burst from her palms, forcing one of the men backward.
But the second soldier grabbed her arm before she could react.
Seraphine stepped closer.
"Your magic is growing," she said quietly. "But not fast enough."
Elena struggled.
"You won't get away with this."
"Oh, I don't need to," Seraphine replied.
She raised a small crystal in her hand.
Dark magic flared.
Suddenly Elena felt weak.
Her knees buckled.
The golden light in her hands flickered.
"What… did you do…?" Elena whispered.
"A little spell," Seraphine said calmly. "Just enough to keep you quiet."
The world began to spin.
But before Elena collapsed completely—
A violent roar of shadow magic exploded through the hallway.
The soldiers were thrown across the corridor like rag dolls.
The torches on the walls shattered.
Seraphine's eyes widened.
"No…"
A towering wall of darkness surged forward.
Kael stepped out of it.
His silver eyes were glowing.
And his expression was terrifying.
"Elena."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
The soldier holding Elena released her instantly and ran.
Kael didn't even look at him.
Shadows shot across the hallway and pinned the man to the wall.
Seraphine slowly stepped backward.
"You're too late," she said, though her voice trembled.
Kael walked forward slowly.
"Elena."
He caught her just before she fell.
His arms wrapped around her protectively.
"Stay with me," he murmured.
Elena's vision was blurry.
But she could still see his face.
"I'm… fine…"
"You're not," he said quietly.
The darkness around him was trembling with rage.
Seraphine raised her magic again.
But Kael didn't even look at her.
"Leave," he said coldly.
For the first time, Seraphine hesitated.
"You'll regret protecting her," she hissed.
Then she vanished into the shadows with a flash of dark magic.
The hallway fell silent.
Kael's focus returned completely to Elena.
His hands gently lifted her face.
"You shouldn't have been alone," he said softly.
"I just wanted… some air," she whispered weakly.
He sighed.
Then he lifted her into his arms.
"You are never leaving my sight again."
Elena rested her head against his chest.
She could hear his heartbeat.
Strong.
Steady.
Safe.
"You're angry," she murmured.
"Of course I am."
"But you saved me."
"I always will."
He carried her back toward her chambers.
The castle guards rushed past them, searching for Seraphine.
But Kael ignored all of it.
Right now, only Elena mattered.
When they reached her room, he carefully laid her on the bed.
His hand brushed gently across her hair.
"You scared me," he admitted quietly.
Elena smiled faintly.
"I thought Dark Lords weren't supposed to worry."
"They don't."
"But you do."
He leaned down slowly.
His lips touched her forehead first.
Soft.
Lingering.
"You're mine," he whispered.
Elena reached up and lightly held his hand.
"And you're mine too."
For a moment, Kael didn't move.
Then he sat beside her, his hand still wrapped around hers.
Outside the castle walls, the night wind howled through the mountains.
And somewhere in the darkness…
Seraphine was already preparing her next move.
A far more dangerous one.