Chapter Twelve – The Witch's Mark
Aria woke with a start.
The faint light of dawn filtered through the shattered tower window, painting Kael's sleeping face in soft gold. He was leaning against the wall, one arm draped protectively across her shoulders. His breathing was steady, but his hand still held hers like he was afraid to let go.
For a moment, she let herself simply look at him—the sharp angles of his face softened by sleep, the faint glow in his eyes dimmed. In that quiet moment, he didn't look like a cursed king. He just looked… human.
But the peace didn't last.
---
A searing heat pulsed through her palm, the one she had cut during the blood magic ritual.
Aria gasped and yanked her hand away, staring in shock. A faint silver symbol was etched into her skin, glowing softly like moonlight.
"Kael," she whispered, shaking his arm. "Kael, wake up!"
His eyes opened instantly, glowing brighter as they landed on her hand. His expression hardened. "That's not possible…"
"What is it?" she asked, panic rising.
Kael took her wrist gently but firmly, his thumb brushing over the glowing mark. "This is the Witch's Mark. It means the magic recognized you—and claimed you."
"Claimed me?" Aria's heart raced. "What does that mean?"
---
"It means," Kael said, his jaw tightening, "that the witch now knows who you are. She'll come for you."
Aria swallowed. "Let her come. I'm not afraid of her."
Kael's gaze snapped to hers, sharp and almost angry. "Don't say that. You don't know what she's capable of. She can bend shadows, twist dreams, and—"
He stopped, his eyes darkening. "She won't just kill you, Aria. She'll use you."
---
A chill ran through her, but she lifted her chin stubbornly. "Then teach me to fight her."
Kael's brow furrowed. "You don't understand. Your blood awakened something last night—something I don't even fully understand. That kind of power is… unpredictable."
"Then help me control it," she said, her voice steady. "Because if I'm part of this prophecy, I'm not going to sit and wait for her to find me."
Kael stared at her for a long moment, as if debating whether to argue. Finally, he sighed and nodded.
"Fine. But we leave now. The longer we stay here, the easier it will be for her to track us."
---
They gathered what little they had left—Kael's sword, Aria's dagger, and a single black cloak from the ruins of the armory.
"Where are we going?" Aria asked as Kael led her through the hidden passages beneath the castle.
"To the Bloodstone Plains," he said grimly. "It's the only place where her magic is weaker. We'll have a chance to prepare there."
"And if she finds us on the way?"
Kael's glowing eyes flicked to her. "Then we fight. Together."
---
They emerged from the tunnels into a dense forest. The air was cool and damp, filled with the scent of moss and earth. Kael kept his hand near his sword, his posture tense as he scanned the trees.
Aria glanced at him. "You never rest, do you?"
"Rest is a luxury I can't afford," he said simply. "Not while you're in danger."
Her chest tightened. "You don't have to protect me all the time, Kael. I can handle myself."
He gave her a faint, almost amused look. "I saw you swing that dagger. You're brave, Aria, but you're not ready to face her."
"Then make me ready," she challenged.
---
Before Kael could reply, the air shifted.
A low whisper slithered through the forest, curling around Aria's ears like smoke. "Little moon, little flame… I see you."
Aria froze. "Kael… did you hear that?"
Kael's hand went to his sword instantly. "She's here."
---
The ground beneath them rippled like water, and from the shadows of the trees, a figure emerged.
She was tall, draped in black silk that seemed to melt into the darkness. Her hair was silver as moonlight, her eyes glowing a deep crimson.
"Ah," the witch said, her voice both sweet and venomous. "So this is the little mortal who holds my king's attention."
Kael stepped in front of Aria, his sword blazing with black fire. "You'll get nowhere near her."
The witch tilted her head, smirking. "Still playing the noble protector? How quaint. But you're weaker than you used to be, Kael. I can smell your blood from here."
---
Kael growled, his stance shifting. "Aria, run."
"No," Aria said, her voice shaking but firm. "I'm not leaving you."
The witch's eyes flicked to Aria, amusement dancing there. "Oh, I like her spirit. Maybe I'll keep her."
Something in Aria snapped. The mark on her palm flared with silver light, and before she could think, she lifted her hand. A burst of energy exploded from her skin, striking the ground between them and the witch.
The force sent leaves and dirt flying, and even Kael stepped back in shock.
---
The witch's eyes widened, then narrowed with interest. "So… the heir awakens."
"What?" Aria breathed.
Kael's grip on his sword tightened. "Enough!" He lunged at the witch, his blade cutting through the shadowy illusions she summoned. Sparks of black and crimson magic clashed in the air, each strike shaking the ground.
Aria stood frozen, her palm still glowing, her heart pounding. She didn't know what she'd done, but the power still hummed in her veins, begging to be unleashed again.
---
"Kael!" she shouted as the witch knocked him back with a wave of dark energy. He crashed into a tree, blood streaking his face.
"Stay back, Aria!" he yelled, forcing himself to stand.
But Aria didn't stay back. She raised her glowing hand again, focusing on the witch with every ounce of will she had.
"Get away from him!"
Silver light burst from her, forming a barrier between Kael and the witch. The witch hissed, her crimson eyes narrowing.
"This changes everything," the witch said with a chilling smile. "I'll be seeing you soon, little moon."
With that, she vanished into the shadows, leaving the forest eerily silent.
---
Aria collapsed to her knees, trembling. "Kael… what just happened to me?"
Kael knelt beside her, his hand gripping hers. His eyes were wide, but there was no fear in them—only awe.
"You saved us," he said softly. "But this power… Aria, you're not just part of the prophecy." He paused, his voice dropping. "You might be the key to ending this curse."
---
Aria stared at the faintly glowing mark on her palm, her chest tight with a mix of fear and determination.
"Then we end it," she said, her voice trembling but sure. "No matter what it takes."
Kael's hand brushed her cheek, his gaze lingering on her like she was both his salvation and his greatest fear.
"Then I'll stand with you," he whispered.