The battlefield was silent, save for the distant howl of the wind.
Selene stood motionless, her hand still clasped in Lucian's. The ice within her had settled, but it had not faded. It was there, pulsing beneath her skin like a second heartbeat, whispering promises she didn't yet understand.
Lucian squeezed her fingers gently. "You did it," he murmured.
Selene wanted to believe that. But Elaris's words still echoed in her mind.
Do you still recognize yourself?
She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to focus. The battle was over—at least for now—but there was still much to be done.
Lucian turned to survey the damage. The once-pristine valley was now a ruin of ice and scorched earth. Their combined power had reshaped the land itself, a testament to what they had become together.
"Selene?"
She glanced at him. His golden eyes were filled with concern.
"You're shaking."
Only then did she realize her hands were trembling. Not from fear, not from exhaustion—something else.
She pulled away slightly. "I'm fine."
Lucian didn't believe her. She could see it in his eyes.
But he didn't push. Not yet.
Instead, he turned his gaze to the horizon. "We need to leave before he returns."
Selene nodded, though she knew Elaris wouldn't attack again so soon. He had been forced into retreat, but something told her he wanted this fight to linger.
He was playing a long game.
And she didn't know the rules.
Lucian took a step forward, his fire flickering faintly around him. But before they could move, a rustling sound caught their attention.
Selene spun, ice coiling around her fingertips.
A figure stumbled into view.
Bloodied. Wounded. Familiar.
Selene's breath caught. "Dain?"
The rogue vampire barely managed to stay on his feet. His once-pristine armor was torn, his dark hair matted with blood. But his eyes—sharp and unwavering—still burned with determination.
Lucian stiffened. "What are you doing here?"
Dain let out a dry chuckle, wincing as he clutched his side. "Would you believe me if I said I was saving your lives?"
Lucian's fire flared slightly. "Try again."
Selene stepped forward. "Dain, what happened?"
The vampire exhaled heavily. "Elaris may have fled, but he's not finished." He met her gaze. "He's going to the Court of Shadows."
Selene's heart clenched. "Why?"
Dain hesitated. "To unleash something worse."
Lucian cursed under his breath. "Of course he is."
Selene's mind raced. The Court of Shadows had long been a place of whispers and secrets, an ancient kingdom hidden in the darkest parts of the world. No ruler claimed it, no laws governed it. It was a place of power—forgotten, dangerous power.
And now, Elaris was heading straight for it.
Selene turned back to Dain. "You came to warn us?"
Dain smirked. "Don't be so flattered, princess. I came because if he succeeds, we all die."
Lucian crossed his arms. "What exactly is he trying to unleash?"
Dain's expression darkened. "The Remnants."
A chill ran down Selene's spine.
Lucian frowned. "What are the Remnants?"
Dain's voice was grim. "Things that should have never existed."
Selene had read about them once, buried in the oldest texts of the Winter Court. The Remnants were not creatures, not people. They were power given form—shadows that fed on life itself. They had been sealed away centuries ago, locked in the depths of the Court of Shadows where no one could reach them.
Until now.
Lucian exhaled sharply. "So let me guess—we're going after him."
Selene met his gaze. "We don't have a choice."
Lucian grinned, though there was no humor in it. "Figures."
Dain groaned as he straightened. "Then we need to move now."
Selene took a deep breath. The battle was over.
But the war was just beginning.
And this time, she wasn't sure if even their power would be enough.