Chapter Eight – The Prophecy's Shadow
Aria found Kael in the war room the next morning.
The chamber was dimly lit, its walls lined with ancient maps and weapons. Kael stood at the center table, his black armor replaced by a dark tunic that clung to his broad shoulders. He didn't notice her at first, too absorbed in studying a parchment covered in symbols.
She didn't wait for him to speak.
"What is the prophecy?"
Kael's head lifted sharply, his glowing eyes narrowing. "What did you hear?"
Aria stepped closer, her fists tightening. "Enough. Last night, I heard something. A voice—it said, 'An heir must rise… or the curse will claim all.'" Her voice trembled, but she didn't back down. "It's about me, isn't it?"
Kael's jaw clenched. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, with a quiet sigh, he rolled up the parchment and set it aside.
"You weren't supposed to know."
Aria's chest tightened. "Why? Do you think I'm too weak to handle it?"
His gaze burned into hers. "Because once you know, you can't turn back. And I don't want to drag you deeper into my curse."
---
Aria stepped closer, her voice rising. "Too late for that. I'm already here, Kael. You think I don't see what's happening to this place? To you?"
Kael's expression softened slightly, but his voice was still rough. "This curse… it devours everything I care about. I won't let it take you too."
"Then tell me the truth," Aria said. "All of it."
---
Kael's shoulders tensed, and for a long moment, silence hung between them. Then he spoke, his voice quieter, almost reluctant.
"The prophecy says that only a child born under the blood moon—one with both mortal and cursed blood—can break this spell. The witch who cursed me knew I'd never allow myself to love, let alone bring an heir into this world. She made sure of it."
Aria swallowed hard. "But… if that's the only way…"
Kael shook his head, his expression grim. "I won't force that fate onto anyone. Especially not you."
The way he said it—soft, almost protective—made something in her chest ache.
---
Before she could respond, a horn sounded outside the castle walls.
Kael's head snapped toward the window, his expression darkening. "They're here again," he muttered. "Nightborn. Too many."
Aria's heart skipped. "What do we do?"
Kael's gaze shifted to her, fierce and commanding. "Stay behind me. No matter what."
---
The war room doors burst open as the commander rushed in, blood streaking her cheek. "The gates won't hold much longer!"
Kael grabbed his sword, its black fire flaring to life with a low hum. He turned to Aria, his voice low but intense. "If anything happens, run. Promise me."
"I'm not leaving you," Aria said, surprising herself with how firm she sounded.
His eyes softened for just a second, as if he wanted to argue but couldn't. "Then stay close," he said, his tone like steel.
---
The castle was chaos.
Nightborn shadows swarmed through the outer halls, their screeches echoing like nails on stone. Kael moved through them like a dark storm, his sword cutting arcs of fire that burned through the creatures. Aria stayed behind him, clutching a dagger he'd pressed into her hand.
She wasn't a fighter, but the thought of losing him made her feet move faster than fear.
"Aria, down!" Kael shouted.
She ducked as he swung, the black fire slicing a shadow that had leapt toward her. His arm wrapped briefly around her waist, pulling her to her feet. The heat of him made her breath catch, even amid the chaos.
---
They fought their way into a side corridor, the clash of battle fading behind them. Kael kicked open a hidden door, revealing a narrow stone passage.
"Inside," he said, his voice urgent.
Aria hesitated. "But—"
"Now."
The authority in his tone left no room for argument. She slipped inside, and he followed, slamming the door shut behind them.
---
The passage was pitch black except for the faint glow of his eyes. It was narrow enough that their shoulders brushed as they moved. Every step echoed, the air heavy with tension.
Finally, Kael stopped.
"We wait here until the shadows pass," he said quietly.
Aria's pulse was still racing. "Do they always attack like this?"
"No," he said, his tone grim. "They're growing stronger. The curse feeds them. The longer I'm alive, the worse it gets."
Aria's heart tightened. "Then we have to break it. Somehow. I don't care what the prophecy says—I don't care what it takes. I don't want to lose you."
---
Kael turned to her, his expression unreadable.
"You don't understand what you're saying," he murmured. "If I let myself want this—want you—the witch will use it against us. She'll try to destroy you."
"Then let her try," Aria said, her voice trembling but sure. "I'm not afraid of her. I'm not afraid of you, Kael."
For a moment, he just stared at her, his breath uneven. Then he stepped closer, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
---
"Aria," he said softly, her name rough on his lips. "Why do you make this so hard?"
She swallowed. "Because I think… I think I'm starting to care about you. And I don't care if it's dangerous."
Kael's jaw tightened, his glowing eyes flicking to her lips. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to hold its breath.
Then, without warning, his hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin.
"You're going to destroy me," he whispered.
Before she could respond, his lips were on hers.
---
The kiss was fire and shadow, fierce yet desperate. His hand slid to the back of her neck, holding her as if afraid she might vanish. Aria's fingers tangled in his tunic, pulling him closer, her heart racing so fast it drowned out every other sound.
When he finally pulled back, his breath was ragged.
"This can't happen," he said, though his voice trembled. "But gods help me, I don't know if I can stop."
Aria's chest rose and fell, her lips still tingling. "Then don't stop."
For a moment, Kael looked like he might give in again. But then, the sound of a distant roar broke the moment.
---
"They've found the passage," he muttered, grabbing her hand. "Stay with me."
As they ran, Aria couldn't stop touching her lips, her mind spinning with the taste of him, the way his kiss had felt like both a promise and a warning.
And deep inside, she knew one thing for certain—whatever the prophecy demanded, she was already in too deep to turn back.