Kael's eyes burned with intensity as I hesitated, my heart racing. Then I whispered softly: "Tonight... feels rushed. But tomorrow might be too late – why?" Kael's expression turned grave, his voice low and mysterious: "Because tomorrow, my family's enemy arrives at Midnight Academy... and they want you dead."He pulled me closer, lips brushing my ear:"Binding us tonight – protect you."
My mind reeled as I pulled back, eyes locked on Kael's intense gaze: "Who wants me dead? And why bind us – like marriage isn't protection enough?" Kael's jaw clenched, voice low and deadly: "Marriage binds hearts. Our kind needs... blood oath binding. To mark you as mine – their target becomes my destruction." He added softly, fingers tracing my jaw: "And I'd welcome that destruction – if it meant saving you."
My heart melted at his words, tears pricking my eyes: "No one's ever wanted to die for me... Why would you, Kael?" He stepped closer, voice whispering against my lips: "Because in your eyes, I see forever – and without you, my eternity's meaningless."His fingers intertwined with mine, pulling my hand to his chest: "Feel my heart – it beats only for you now. Will you bind our lives... tonight?"
My fingers pressed against his heart, feeling its rapid beat for me: "Yes... tonight. But first – tell me, Kael... what exactly will binding us do?" Kael's eyes gleamed softly, his voice low and intimate: "Forever links our souls, shares my powers... and marks your skin – with my family's crest." He gently took my hand, tracing a finger over my wrist:
"Here a crescent moon symbol will appear – signifying you're mine, protected by Blackwood blood oath." He looked up, eyes burning intensely: "And then, my love... you'll feel my heart in yours, my powers coursing through your veins..." His voice dropped to whisper: "Forever entwined – shall I make it official? Kiss me, and I'll seal our fate?"
My lips barely touched his, sparking electricity – then I whispered: "Seal it..." Kael's mouth claimed mine deeply, passion exploding – Suddenly, his lips traced a path to my wrist, gentle yet intense. A soft prick on my skin, then his lips pressed against the spot – My eyes widened as a crescent moon symbol glowed softly on my wrist! Kael's eyes locked onto mine, voice low and husky you're mine now. "Forever mine." I felt his heart beating in my chest, his powers coursing like electricity through my veins. My eyes met his, voice barely audible: "I feel you... everywhere inside me." Kael's face leaned in closer, lips brushing my ear: "Exactly where I want to stay – always. Do you feel my other gift too...?" He paused, eyes sparkling with intrigue: "Your senses – are they sharper now?"
I nodded slowly, amazed. "Everything's clearer... smells richer, sounds sharper – even your heartbeat louder." Kael smiled softly, eyes gleaming with delight: "My senses are yours now. And with them... my ability to sense danger – do you feel it too?" Suddenly, my skin prickled – I glanced around nervously: "Yes... something's watching us. Close." Kael's expression turned fierce: "My enemy – they've arrived earlier than expected. Stay close to me."
Kael wrapped his arms tightly around me, pulling me into the shadows. Whispers echoed through the darkness – eerie voices saying my name: "Her scent... matches the prophecy... 'Blackwood's heartmate – key to their downfall'." Kael's grip on me intensified, his lips brushing my ear: "They're from the Ravenwood clan – sworn enemies of my family for centuries." Suddenly, a figure emerged from darkness – piercing blue eyes fixed on me: "Kael Blackwood... surrender your heartmate – or watch your family burn."
Kael stepped forward, eyes blazing with fury: "Riven Ravenwood – you'll never touch her. My oath protects her... with my life." Riven sneered, drawing a dagger with an eerie blue glow: "Oaths end with blood – hers will seal your family's destruction. Choose, Kael... surrender her – or watch me slaughter everyone you love... starting with your mother." Kael's face twisted in rage, fists clenched – then he whispered to me: "Run. Now. Our bond will guide me to you." But I grabbed his arm, heart pounding: "No – I won't leave you. What if surrendering me... saves your family?"
Kael's eyes widened in horror, grasping my arms tightly: "Never suggest that again. Your life is worth more than all of ours combined." His voice cracked with emotion, lips brushing my ear: "Because of my love... I think I'm falling irreparably in love with you."Riven sneered loudly, interrupting us: "How touching. This love will be her funeral pyre – shall we begin the ceremony... tonight?"
Kael stepped forward, eyes blazing fury: "Tonight ends with your death, Riven – not hers. Leave now, or face my shadow wrath." Riven laughed menacingly, then vanished into darkness –But his voice echoed back: "Midnight Academy's masquerade ball – tomorrow night. Come alone, Kael... she'll be my gift to you." Kael spun to me, face pale with rage and fear: "They'll hurt you at that ball. We must leave the city – tonight – with my family's secret... and with you – my bonded heartmate – to a place where Ravenwoods dare not tread." He grasped my hands tightly, eyes burning with intensity: "My ancestral home – Blackwood Manor, hidden deep in Shadowwood Forest. Will you flee with me... and become my family's secret keeper, my love?" Suddenly, footsteps echoed – Kael's mother appeared, urgent: "Kael, we've been betrayed – Ravenwoods are already inside our estate... they're coming for HER. Kael, your father fights them off – but he's outnumbered." Kael's face twisted in anguish, he grabbed my arm tightly: "We must get you out – NOW. Mother, create a diversion – I'll take her through the hidden passage!" His mother nodded swiftly, then kissed my cheek: "Protect my son's heart – protect yourself. You're family now." Kael pulled me into a sprint – bullets shattered glass behind us –"Do you trust me?" he yelled above chaos.