She's not here...
Kael scanned the room, still panting.
sigh
“What happened?” he asked one of the containment mages, his voice hoarse.
A man in an obsidian robe stepped forward, his face half-masked by a hood embroidered with silver glyphs.
“While you were unconscious, we maintained your vital signs while treating you. Your body experienced several anomalies: a sudden drop in temperature, contaminated magic circuits, unstable chaotic flows, and most concerning... your consciousness was stuck between two spheres: that of the living and that of the dead.”
He paused, almost solemnly.
“If you hadn't had such strong willpower... the thing that was clinging to you would have ended up devouring you.”
Kael remained silent. It wasn't the first time this had happened to him. And he knew it wouldn't be the last.
“I see... In that case, I owe you my thanks,” he said calmly.
“No need,” replied the mage with a nod. “It's only our duty. We cannot let one of the King's Swords die.”
Of course... thought Kael, a weary smile stretching his lips.
“Before you are allowed to return home, we must perform some magical tests.”
“Go ahead,” said Kael, closing his eyes.
The mage uttered an incantation in a low voice.
F'loren Akh Serin...
A pale green magic circle appeared on the ground, surrounding Kael with fluctuating runes.
Meanwhile, Kael lost himself in his thoughts.
I must not let this thing take over... And I refuse to let Lyssandra die because of me.
I mustn't feel anything for her... I don't want her to become just another one... Another victim.
It would be better if I canceled this wedding. Sent her home. Before...
He let out a soft laugh. A joyless laugh.
So maybe they weren't wrong when they all called me a monster…
First floor — Lyssandra's room
As much as I want to see him... how can I get out of here? Lyssandra wondered.
She paced around, frustrated.
Guards were stationed outside the door, and jumping out the window was not an option.
sigh
Suddenly, knock knock.
She jumped.
“Who could be knocking on the window?! We're on the first floor...”
She approached cautiously. Slowly pulled back the curtain.
FFSHH
A face floated in the void: Miguel, the butler, was floating in the air.
She opened the window.
CRIIIC
“I apologize for this sudden appearance, Miss," he said as he entered.
“It's... it's nothing...” replied Lyssandra, still surprised.
“I am glad to see that you are well after... all that.”
“I'm fine, don't worry...”
He looked at her closely, then bowed.
“I imagine you are concerned about my master. He is awake, you know.”
“REALLY?!”
She blushed immediately.
“I... I mean... I'm relieved. Thank you.”
Miguel smiled slightly.
“And, if I may offer some advice: don't try to leave this room. The young master will be here soon.”
“Oh... oh no, of course not! I'll... wait here. Quietly...”
She looked away, panicked.
The butler stared at her for a moment, then turned on his heel.
“I'll be going now.”
He climbed back out the window, disappearing in a light breeze that ruffled Lyssandra's hair.
discreet smile
What was I thinking...? He's right. I have to stay here, quietly...
The prince's apartment
Sitting on the edge of his bed, the prince was still reliving the scene.
I was this close to dying... my head cut off... like a common animal!
And that dog saved me?! He waited... until the last moment to appear as a hero.
“DAMN IT!!”
His fist slammed violently against the wall.
He'll pay for this. One day. I'll destroy him…
At the same time, over in Kael...
“We've finished examining you. Fortunately, you're fine. There are no signs of disturbance in your mana, and your temperature is back to normal. Everything is fine.”
“I see. I owe you my thanks.”
“Not at all, we are under the king's orders, so there's no need. And one last thing before you go: the princess seemed to want to see you, so please visit her in her chambers.”
“Understood, it will be done.”
Kael took the jacket that one of the mages handed him and put it on. As he left the room, the guard posted at the door greeted him with a bow.
He hurried with heavy steps to the princess's chambers.
Two knights in armor stood before the heavily carved doors.
When they saw Kael, they bowed deeply and opened the door.
The air that escaped from the room was heavy with a sweet scent, mingled with hot wax and flowers.
The princess was standing near the balcony, her eyes ringed with visible fatigue shining with a worried gleam, a midnight blue silk cape thrown over her shoulders; the edges of the fabric fluttered in the draft.
The apartments were bathed in a soft glow, filtered by white silk curtains.
Kael announced himself in a grave tone.
“Your Highness, you wished to see me ?”
“Come in... please,” she replied in a trembling voice.
Kael bowed slightly before crossing the threshold. A tense, almost fragile silence fell.
“Kael Dravenwald...” she whispered. “Are you... are you all right?”
He knelt on one knee, his head bowed.
“Your Highness. I have regained my senses, thanks to the care of the mages. You need not worry about me.”
She took a few nervous steps forward.
“Not worry? You nearly died, Kael!”
Her voice trembled slightly.
“That monster... that thing... you were alone against it. You...”
She paused, her throat tightening.
Kael slowly raised his head.
“It was my duty.”
“Your duty...” she continued, almost bitterly. “You always say that, as if it justified risking your life without the slightest hesitation.”
She looked away, breathless.
Kael remained silent. His silence spoke volumes. The light from the fire reflected off his dark hair and the cold gleam in his eyes.
A long silence followed, broken only by the crackling of the brazier.
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She took a step toward him, then another.
“You're always so calm... always so distant, even when you're here.”
Her tone, at first timid, cracked. Fear had given way to emotion.
The princess finally approached him.
Her steps were hesitant, almost trembling.
“When I saw you fall... I thought...”
She clutched the edges of her cloak to her chest, then stopped just in front of him.
“I thought... I would never see you again.”
Kael felt a tremor in her voice.
He wanted to look away, but she was so close that her perfume enveloped him.
A mixture of lavender and contained fear.
Without even realizing it, the princess raised her hand and touched Kael's cheek.
Her fingers brushed against his still-cold skin.
“You're freezing...” she whispered.
Kael didn't move.
“The mages say it's residual mana. It will pass.”
But she didn't withdraw her hand.
She remained there, her eyes locked on his, as if she wanted to make sure he was still alive.
“You... you haven't changed,” she said in a lower voice. “Still the same coldness... the same distance...”
Her gaze became brighter, more troubled.
She took another step closer, her hand slowly sliding down to his neck, then to his shoulder. Kael felt her breath brush against his skin.
He raised his head slightly, regaining his composure.
“Your Highness,” he said gently, “you should sit down. It has been a trying day for everyone.”
She blinked, as if waking from a dream, then took a hasty step back.
“I... yes. You're right. Forgive me, I shouldn't have...”
Kael placed his hand on his heart and bowed deeply.
“I am honored by your concern, Princess. And I thank you for your concern.”
She wanted to reply, but the words stuck in her throat.
Her fingers were still trembling, as if they still remembered his touch.
Kael stood up straight, his gaze slightly lowered, respectful but serious.
“May I leave you, Your Highness?”
She nodded slowly.
“Yes... of course. But... rest, Kael. That is an order.”
A slight, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.
“At your command, Your Highness.”
He took a few steps back, then bowed again before walking through the door.
And when it closed behind him, the princess let out a trembling sigh, bringing her fingers to her still-warm cheek.
A whisper, barely audible, was lost in the silence:
“Why is it always you...”
Thirty minutes later—at Lyssandra's place.
KNOCK KNOCK
She rushed to the door.
When she opened it, her breath caught in her throat.
Kael.
Standing there. Silent. Impassive.
His red eyes had returned to their cold hue. His face was neutral, almost expressionless. He was wearing a simple outfit, black with metallic highlights.
“Let's go back,” he said, without giving her time to speak.
Lyssandra wanted to cry out, to hold him close, to express her relief.
But something in his gaze told her not to say anything. Not yet.
She followed him silently.
To the carriage.
Into the carriage.
CLACK.
The door closed behind them.
The vehicle started up with a rumble muffled by the horses' hooves on the cobblestones.
Silence fell.
Heavy. Deafening.
Not a word. Not a glance.
Kael, sitting across from her, stared at the window. The reflection of the receding city was lost in his discolored eyes.
His features were calm, but his aura was still charged... electric.
Lyssandra watched him in silence. Her nervous fingers rubbed together on her lap.
She wanted to talk to him. She wanted to tell him a thousand things.
That she had been afraid. That she had thought she had lost him.
That she didn't understand what had happened, but that she had stayed there, thinking about him, worrying, imagining him hurt, alone...
But nothing came out.
The rolling of the carriage made the wood creak. Creak... creak... creak...
Their breathing was the only other sound.
Finally, Kael turned his head slightly.
Not completely. Just enough for his eyes to meet hers.
Lyssandra felt her heart twist.
He spoke in a low voice.
“I had an audience with the king. He questioned me, asked me certain questions, and wasn't really happy with my answers.”
“Why...?” asked Lyssandra.
“Nothing very important,” he said, not wanting to reveal anything, his eyes avoiding hers.
Silence fell again. Lyssandra lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the floor, not knowing what to say. The atmosphere was heavy and tense, then Kael spoke again.
“You should have run away...”
His tone was calm, but something bitterly tender vibrated behind it.
She clung to that tremor in his voice.
“I couldn't leave,” she whispered.
“You should have.”
He looked away again.
“It wasn't bravery... It was recklessness.”
She felt a twinge in her heart.
“Maybe that's true...” she murmured. “But I couldn't leave you alone to face this. Not after what I saw. Not after what I felt.”
Silence.
He didn't answer right away.
His fists clenched briefly on his knees.
Then, in a hoarser voice:
“You have no idea how much danger you were in... what I am.”
“Then explain it to me. Let me know, instead of keeping me at a distance.”
A beat.
Kael finally looked up at her.
For a second, he was no longer the bloodthirsty monster. No longer the king's weapon.
He was just... a man. Tired. Dark. Fragile.
“What you want to know, Lyssandra... what you want to understand is beyond your comprehension.”
But she didn't look away.
On the contrary. She moved closer, slowly sliding across the bench to sit beside him. Close enough that their shoulders brushed against each other.
“We won't know if you don't tell me, Kael.”
Kael looked at her for a long time.
Then he turned his head away again, silently.
But he didn't move.
He didn't move away.
What do I do now? thought Lyssandra, her gaze drifting to the trembling window of the carriage. I sat next to him out of pure curiosity, but now...
“Staying with me is too dangerous,” Kael said in a low voice, without even looking at her. “You should go home.”
Lyssandra's heart skipped a beat.
“What... ? Go home? You can't be serious. You're going to throw me away like that, after all this?”
He remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed straight ahead, as if searching for words in an abyss.
“Even if it was the king who asked... even if this marriage brings great benefits to my family... I agreed to marry you,” she whispered, her hands clenched on her dress.
"I agreed to be with you, no matter the reason. And for me, that meant I would stand by your side, even in the face of death if necessary. Isn't that what a woman would do for her man?”
And now... You are my only anchor. My only certainty in this world... she thought to herself, not daring to say it aloud.
Kael turned his face away slightly, his gaze darkening.
“Don't say such foolish things.”
"It's not foolish! You're the one talking about danger, but you refuse to tell me more.
I want to know, Kael. I want to understand. I want you to explain to me what you are and what you carry. I want to know you... truly," she said, her heart pounding, her eyes fixed on him in a desperate whisper.
At these words, something flickered in Kael's gaze. A glimmer. A memory. He closed his eyes.
He was transported elsewhere.
Sixteen years ago.
A gentle smile. Eyes red with infinite love.
A woman, seated on a luxurious sofa, her midnight blue dress falling in elegant waves to the floor. Her skin was as pale as the moon, her hair immaculate white. An unreal beauty, almost frozen in time. A doll of eternity.
On her lap, a little boy barely six years old, with jet-black hair and eyes as red as two liquid rubies. He clung to her, silent.
She tenderly ran her fingers through his dark locks, her voice a velvety whisper:
“My angel... If one day someone sincerely wants to get to know you, to find out more about you, don't push them away."
“Why, Mom?” he asked in a fragile voice.
“Because that person... will be important to you. More than you can imagine.”
He lowered his eyes.
“But... what if that person wants to hurt me? Or kill me?”
His mother laughed exasperatedly.
"Your father put those ideas in your head. He'll hear from me tonight!
No, sweetie. I'm not talking about people who want to hurt you.
When you're older... you'll understand."
The boy nodded.
“Okay, Mom.”
Present.
Kael opened his eyes again. His jaw was clenched. A dull pain rose in his throat, but he swallowed it down.
He looked at her. Long and hard. Their eyes locked in the suspended silence.
“You remind me of someone,” he said finally.
Lyssandra frowned slightly.
“Who?”
“A woman... who believed in me, even when I had lost faith in everything.”
A heavy silence fell. She didn't answer. She waited.
“But the endless night took her in its arms,” he finally declared.
Lyssandra wanted to take him in her arms. To offer him the warmth that he alone refused. But she held back. He wasn't ready.
“I'm not her,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “but... I'm here. I want to believe in you too.”
Kael closed his eyes for a moment.
Then he opened them again.
He turned to her.
“In addition to Ashréa, now... other things will notice you, and they will do everything they can to devour you.”
His fist clenched violently.
“It's not an assassin who will come for you. Maybe not even a human, but something very dark.”
Lyssandra shivered. But she didn't back away.
She slowly reached out her hand, and without hesitation or fear, she placed it on his.
“Despite that, I will stay.”
He stared at her, stunned.
"And if something wants to take you... it will have to kill me first.
And if you must fall... I will fall with you."
She had said it in the heat of the moment, but no one knew if she really meant it.
Silence returned, but it no longer felt the same.
It vibrated with emotion. With promises. With contained tension.
Kael looked away again, an almost imperceptible smirk on his lips.
“Stubborn,” he whispered.
“I know,” she replied, her eyes shining, her heart pounding in her chest.
And the carriage continued on its way, carrying with it two souls in precarious balance between damnation and hope.
