Chapter Ten – A King's Wound
The moment Kael opened the hidden door, the castle's ruined halls came alive with chaos. Smoke and shadows swirled in the air, and the faint stench of burning metal mixed with blood.
Aria tightened her grip on the dagger Kael had given her, following closely as he moved like a blade of darkness cutting through the corridor. His glowing eyes scanned every corner, his black-fire sword humming with deadly energy.
"Stay close," he said over his shoulder, his voice low but firm.
Aria nodded, swallowing the fear rising in her chest.
---
The first Nightborn came from the ceiling, a twisted shape of smoke and claws. Kael's sword flared as he swung, slicing it apart in one fluid motion.
Aria froze at the sight, the creature's scream rattling her bones, but Kael's voice snapped her out of it.
"Move, Aria!"
She ran, her heart pounding. Every time a shadow darted toward her, Kael was there, his strikes precise, brutal, and blazing with dark fire.
But there were too many. The Nightborn swarmed like a living tide, forcing Kael to fight harder, faster. Aria could see the strain in the tightness of his jaw, the sharpness of his breath.
---
They reached the courtyard, only to find the gates completely shattered. Nightborn poured in, their glowing eyes like embers in the darkness.
Kael cursed under his breath. "Stay behind me. Don't look away."
"I'm not leaving you," Aria said, her voice shaking but firm.
His gaze flicked to hers, softening for just a second before the battle swallowed them both.
---
Kael fought like a storm unleashed. Every swing of his sword burned the shadows, every movement fueled by sheer will. But even he couldn't hold them all back.
One Nightborn slipped past his defenses, lunging at Aria.
"Aria!" Kael's voice roared like thunder.
She barely had time to raise her dagger before the creature was on her. It knocked her back, claws slashing toward her throat. She screamed, bracing for the strike—
But Kael was faster.
He slammed into the creature, his blade cutting through it in a burst of black fire. The Nightborn dissolved, but not before its claws raked across Kael's side.
---
"Kael!" Aria's voice cracked. She saw the blood instantly, dark and glistening, spilling from a deep gash along his ribs.
Kael staggered, but he didn't stop. He swung his sword again, forcing the remaining Nightborn back.
"Run," he said through clenched teeth. "Get inside, now."
"No!" Aria's grip on the dagger tightened. "I'm not leaving you like this!"
"Aria—"
Before he could finish, another shadow lunged. Aria moved on instinct, slashing wildly. The dagger cut through the creature, its form dissolving with a shriek. Her hands shook, but she'd done it.
---
Kael glanced at her, something like pride flickering in his glowing eyes. But the moment was cut short by his wound.
He faltered, his sword dipping for just a second.
"Kael!" Aria rushed to him, her free hand pressing against his side. Her fingers came away slick with blood. "You're hurt too badly. You can't keep fighting."
"I don't have a choice," he said, his voice hoarse.
"Yes, you do," she shot back. "You have me."
For a second, their eyes locked, the world falling still around them despite the chaos.
---
Aria grabbed his arm and pulled him toward a side passage. "Come on. We need to stop the bleeding, or you won't make it to the next fight."
Kael gritted his teeth but didn't resist. His steps were heavy, his breaths labored. Every time she looked at him, fear tightened around her heart.
They made it to an abandoned tower room, its windows shattered but its door sturdy enough to block. Aria slammed it shut and pushed a heavy crate in front of it.
"Sit," she ordered.
Kael raised a brow despite the pain. "You're giving me orders now?"
"Yes," she said fiercely. "Do it."
---
Kael sat, his back against the wall. Aria knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she tore a strip from her dress.
"Hold still," she said, pressing the cloth to his wound.
He hissed but didn't move, his glowing eyes fixed on her face. "You're shaking."
"Because you scared me half to death," she snapped. "You can't keep throwing yourself at every monster that comes near me!"
Kael's lips curved into a faint, pained smile. "That's my job."
---
Her eyes burned, tears threatening to fall. "What if you die, Kael? What am I supposed to do then?"
He stared at her, his gaze softer than she'd ever seen. "Then you live. You find a way out of this cursed place and forget me."
"I can't forget you," she whispered.
Something flickered in his eyes—something raw and unguarded. He reached up, his hand cupping her cheek.
"You're making this harder than it already is," he murmured.
---
Aria leaned into his touch, her hand covering his. "Then stop pushing me away."
His breath hitched. For a moment, all the walls he'd built seemed to crumble.
"Aria," he said softly, "you deserve a world better than this. Better than me."
"I don't care about better," she whispered. "I just care about you."
---
Kael's resolve cracked completely. He leaned forward, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that was both desperate and tender, as if he wasn't sure he'd get another chance.
Aria kissed him back, her hands framing his face, her heart racing so fast she thought it might burst.
When they finally broke apart, Kael rested his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her skin.
"You'll be the death of me," he said softly, but there was no anger in his voice—only longing.
"Then I'll go with you," she whispered.
---
A low rumble shook the tower, breaking the moment. Kael's head turned sharply toward the window. "They're coming."
Aria's fear surged, but this time, she didn't back down. "Then we fight together."
Kael's lips curved into the faintest of smiles, and for a second, she saw the man beneath the curse—the man who wanted to believe in hope again.
"Stay close," he said, his voice rough but steady.
"Always," Aria replied.
---
As the shadows gathered outside, Aria realized the truth she'd been avoiding. She wasn't just falling for Kael.
She was already his.