That's when Lysara saw it.
Her eyes widened as her gaze landed on the mark on Ivy's neck.
The Mate Mark
A sharp inhale escaped her lips. She took a step forward, reaching out before stopping herself. "This…" she whispered. "You are truly bonded."
Ivy blinked in surprise, touching the mark self-consciously. "Kael said it means we're… connected."
Lysara exhaled slowly, understanding dawning in her mind. "This is no ordinary connection, child. This is fate."
Ivy frowned slightly. "Fate?"
Lysara nodded, her voice quieter now. "It is a bond deeper than love. It is eternal." She met Ivy's gaze, her sharpness softened by something almost like respect. "No wonder Kael is willing to fight for you."
Ivy swallowed, unsure of what this meant for her. "Do you hate me?" she asked cautiously.
Lysara's lips parted slightly at the question, then she let out a quiet chuckle. "No," she admitted. "I don't hate you, Ivy." She tilted her head. "I don't fully understand this… but I do know one thing."
"What?" Ivy asked.
Lysara gave a small, knowing smile. "You are going to change everything."
And with that, the demon queen turned and disappeared into the wind, leaving Ivy standing in the garden alone.
---
Lysara's Chambers
Lysara appeared in her chamber in a swirl of dark energy, her mind still reeling from what she had seen.
She barely had time to gather herself before a familiar voice cut through the silence.
"You look troubled," Seraphine remarked, lounging near the window with a glass of dark wine in her hand. Her violet eyes gleamed with curiosity. "That bad, huh?"
Lysara sighed, rubbing her temples before sinking into a chair. "I met her."
Seraphine straightened slightly. "The human girl?"
Lysara nodded, her expression unreadable. "She bears the mate mark."
The air in the room shifted. Seraphine's playful smirk faltered, replaced by something more thoughtful. She let out a slow whistle.
"Well… fate certainly enjoys making fools of us."
Lysara exhaled sharply. "This isn't a joke, Seraphine. This changes everything."
Seraphine studied her for a moment before setting her glass down. "Alright, tell me. What is she like?"
Lysara hesitated. "She's… not what I expected. She's strong, determined. She loves Kael without hesitation." Her voice lowered.
"And Kael… he would burn the world for her."
Seraphine crossed her arms. "And Malakar?"
Lysara shook her head. "He will never allow this. He sees it as weakness, as a threat to everything he has built."
Seraphine sighed. "And what do you see it as?"
Silence hung between them.
Lysara finally whispered, "I don't know."
Seraphine's expression softened. She moved closer, resting a hand on Lysara's. "Lysara, you've always been torn between being Malakar's queen and Kael's mother. But this… this isn't about the kingdom or duty. It's about Kael's heart. Can you look me in the eye and tell me you truly believe love is weakness?"
Lysara looked away, her throat tightening.
Seraphine continued gently, "Change is coming, whether Malakar accepts it or not. The real question is, will you fight against it, or will you stand by your son?"
Lysara closed her eyes for a brief moment, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. She wasn't ready to answer that yet.
But she knew one thing,Kael's love for Ivy wasn't something she could ignore.
.
.
.
Training Grounds
The clash of steel echoed through the training grounds as Kael and Aeron circled each other. Aeron moved with the effortless precision of a warrior who had centuries of experience, while Kael, faster, more aggressive, relied on instinct and sheer determination to keep up.
"You're getting slower, my prince," Aeron remarked, easily sidestepping Kael's strike.
Kael smirked, breath steady despite the intensity. "Or maybe you're finally catching up."
Aeron scoffed, barely moving as he deflected Kael's next attack. His movements were economical,no wasted effort, no unnecessary flair. Kael had to be relentless, pushing harder just to make Aeron work.
They exchanged a flurry of blows, Kael dodging by inches, Aeron countering with swift precision. Kael pivoted, feinting left before sweeping low, but Aeron anticipated it, knocking his dagger aside with practiced ease.
Kael huffed, flexing his fingers. "Remind me why I still spar with you?"
"Because no one else tells you the truth," Aeron replied smoothly. "And because beating me would be an actual challenge."
Kael lunged again, pressing the attack with renewed speed. Aeron blocked each strike with infuriating calm, his footwork steady. He wasn't just fending Kael off, he was testing him, measuring his growth, pushing him to his limits.
"You're awfully confident for someone who still takes orders from me," Kael gritted out, frustration creeping in.
Aeron parried a little harder this time, forcing Kael to step back. "That's because I choose to."
Kael's grip tightened. He threw himself forward with a burst of speed, forcing Aeron to move faster than before. Their blades met in a flurry of sparks, and for once, Kael saw a sliver of effort in Aeron's stance.
Kael pressed on, refusing to give his mentor a moment's reprieve. Then, in a rare misstep, Aeron miscalculated a feint. Kael seized the opportunity, twisting the angle of his blade,this time, his dagger stopped just shy of Aeron's throat.
A slow grin spread across Aeron's face. "Finally."
Kael stepped back, sheathing his dagger. "You let me win."
Aeron chuckled. "I'll deny that if you ever repeat it."
Kael smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. He knew the truth,Aeron had been in control the whole time. But still, landing a decisive strike, even once, was a victory.
"Come on. One more round."
Aeron grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Try to last longer this time."
The sound of clashing blades filled the night once more.
---
The Wedding Ceremony
The grand hall was adorned in obsidian and gold, the chandeliers casting a warm glow over the gathering of noble demons. Rows of guests watched in admiration as Kael and Lucianna stood before the ceremonial altar, their hands bound in silver-threaded silk.
Lucianna's cheeks were flushed, her eyes cast downward before she dared glance up at Kael. Her fingers trembled slightly as she spoke in a soft, breathless voice. "This is… the happiest day of my life, Kael," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I will cherish you always."
Kael gave a small nod, his golden brown eyes devoid of warmth. "As you wish."
From the grand throne, King Malakar watched with satisfaction. He leaned toward Lysara, his voice low but firm. "Look at them. A perfect union, the bloodline secured."
Lysara's fingers tightened around the edge of her seat. "Perfect for whom?" she murmured, her eyes locked onto Kael's unreadable face.
The officiant, an elder demon draped in ceremonial robes, raised his voice. "With this binding, you are joined in eternal union. From this day forth, your souls are entwined, your fates sealed as one."
Lucianna turned shyly toward Kael, her lashes lowered. "I vow to stand by your side," she said gently, pausing to take a nervous breath, "in battle and in peace. I vow to… love you, in strength and in weakness."
The room waited in silence for Kael's response. He hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing on his chest. He thought of Ivy. Of the life stolen from him.
"I vow to honor this union," Kael finally said, his voice steady but empty. "In duty and in name."
Lucianna's smile trembled but she nodded, her hands tightening slightly around his.
As the final words of the ritual were spoken, the silk around their hands burned away in a swirl of black and silver mist, sealing their bond. Applause filled the hall, and Kael turned to the crowd, his expression unreadable.
Aeron, standing among the guards, met Kael's gaze briefly. No words were needed,he understood.
Lysara exhaled quietly, her heart heavy.
Malakar, triumphant, stood and raised his goblet. "To my son and his bride! May their union bring strength to our realm!"
The crowd echoed his toast, their voices loud, their cheers ringing through the hall.
Kael lifted his goblet, but he did not drink. His hands felt like ice, his heart like stone.
Lucianna stood beside him, cheeks pink, eyes bright, thinking this was the beginning of a dream.
Kael, bound in duty, felt only the tightening of chains.
.
.
.
Lucianna sat on the edge of the grand bed, smoothing out the silk of her nightgown with trembling hands. The chamber was quiet.
She hadn't rest since the maid prepared her for the night.
Will he come?
She had waited for this night her whole life. She was his wife now. But beneath the excitement, something dark tugged at her. A quiet, gnawing fear,that Kael would never truly be hers.
The heavy doors creaked open.
Kael stepped in.
His dark cloak slid from his shoulders, forgotten on the marble floor. His golden brown eyes were glazed, distant. The scent of wine clung to him sharp, thick, and more than usual. Too much.
Lucianna rose to her feet, heart fluttering. "Kael… you came?"
He didn't answer at first. His steps were slow, unsteady. His gaze flickered to her only briefly before falling away, as if it hurt to look too long.
"Where else would I go?" His voice was low. Empty.
She stepped toward him cautiously. "Kael, are you alright?"
He exhaled through his nose, dragging a hand across his face. "I don't know."
"Kael, you're drunk," she whispered.
A bitter smile touched his lips. "Maybe."
He pulled at the collar of his ceremonial robe, discarding it carelessly. His chest rose and fell in uneven breaths. His tunic clung to him, the fabric slightly damp. His body was tense beneath it, like a coil pulled too tight.
Lucianna reached out, her fingers brushing his arm.
He turned sharply.
Their eyes locked.
"You wanted this," he said quietly, his voice rough, almost accusing. "Isn't this what you dreamed of?"
"I… I love you, Kael," she breathed.
His jaw clenched at her words. He picked up the goblet from the bedside table and drained it, the wine staining his lips a deeper red. His hand trembled as he set the cup down.
"Love," he echoed, tasting the word like it burned.
Then, without warning, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him.
Lucianna gasped, stumbling forward, her body colliding with his. His arms wrapped around her waist tight, unyielding. His touch was not violent, but there was desperation in it. Hunger. A heat that wasn't his alone.
Her breath hitched. "Kael… please."
"Please, what?" he whispered against her ear, the warmth of his breath making her shiver.
"I don't want this… not like this."
His eyes searched hers. For a second, she thought she saw something,confusion, a flicker of the real Kael, buried deep beneath the fog. But it vanished just as quickly.
He leaned in, his lips brushing her jaw, her cheek, down to her neck. His hands slid across her back, slow and firm, drawing her impossibly close.
"Kael," she pleaded, voice shaking. "This isn't you."
But he didn't stop.
His mouth found hers,not with tenderness, but need. Heavy. Consuming. One of his hands tangled in her hair as the other pressed against her spine, pulling her tighter.
She froze.
Her heart pounded like a drumbeat in her ears.
"Kael," she whispered again, barely audible now. "You don't have to do this…"
But he couldn't hear her. Not anymore.
The drug had stolen the man and left only desire in his place.
That night, Kael lost himself to something he would never remember.
And Lucianna was left holding the weight of it all