Lucien's Private Chambers – Aurelian Estate
Lucien sat at his writing desk, staring at a letter he couldn't bring himself to send.
His golden eyes reflected the flickering candlelight.
The letter was addressed to Selene Valeburne.
But it wasn't a political message.It wasn't strategy.
It was personal.
"If we are destined to fall again, I want to know: Would you still choose me?"
He gritted his teeth, folding the letter carefully.
Then he burned it.
Ash scattered across the desk, disappearing like snowflakes in the dark.
Alaric's Concern
Alaric Thorne entered quietly, his gray eyes sharp beneath his military cloak.
"Lucien," he said softly, "you're losing yourself."
Lucien didn't turn.
"I'm already lost."
Alaric's jaw tightened.
"I swore to protect you."
Lucien's voice came cold and low.
"Then protect me from myself."
Selene's Garden – The Valeburne Estate
Meanwhile, Selene stood beneath the Moon Tree in her private garden, fingertips brushing frost-kissed petals.
Her cousin Lira approached slowly.
"Selene," she whispered, "the Greymoors are moving."
Selene's crimson eyes narrowed.
"How?"
Lira hesitated.
"They've reached out to the Eastern Temple factions. Rumors say they've made… a pact."
Selene's Quiet Resolve
Selene's heart clenched, but her face remained calm.
"I expected this."
Lira bit her lip, voice trembling.
"You're too calm."
Selene glanced at her cousin, her gaze softening for just a moment.
"If I let fear show, Lira, I'll drown in it."
A Midnight Meeting
That night, Selene and Lucien met in secret again.
No guards. No allies.Just the two of them beneath the moonlit sky.
They stood close but did not touch—afraid of how dangerous it had become to do so.
The Conversation
Lucien:
"The bond is pulling tighter."
Selene:
"I know."
Lucien:
"Do you regret it?"
Selene's crimson eyes shimmered.
"No," she whispered, "but I'm terrified."
Lucien's voice lowered.
"So am I."
A Soft Touch
Without thinking, Selene reached up, her fingers brushing Lucien's cheek.
A spark of soul resonance shivered between them—a soft glow that only they could see.
A Vision of the Past
For a split second, they saw another life.
A battlefield again—but this time, they were on opposite sides.
Selene, cloaked in crimson flames.
Lucien, wielding golden lightning.
Their swords clashed in midair, tears in both their eyes.
Back to the Present
Lucien caught her wrist gently.
"Selene…"
Her lips parted, breath shivering.
"If fate turns us into enemies again—"
Lucien silenced her with a soft shake of his head.
"We'll decide our own ending this time."
The Pact Between Them
That night, under the twin moons, they made a silent promise.
No matter who tried to break them apart,No matter how many lifetimes it took,
They would find each other.
Again.And again.
Even if it cost the world.
In the Shadows – Evelyne Watches
Far from the garden, Evelyne Greymoor watched through a blood scrying mirror, her emerald eyes narrowed.
"So that's your choice," she whispered coldly.
Her fingers tightened around a memory-shattering talisman—the next piece of her plan.
"If love is stronger than death, then I'll tear love itself apart."
The Crimson-Gold Cycle Accelerates
Above them, the twin moons shone brighter than usual.
Crimson. Gold.Twisting together in the sky.
Somewhere, fate laughed softly.