Kael held Aria against his chest long after the last shadow faded.
His breathing was ragged.His arms trembled.His flames—normally fierce—were now dim and flickering.
Aria touched his cheek gently."Kael… your eyes… they're turning back."
He swallowed hard.
"You stopped me," he whispered. "You brought me back."
Aria smiled faintly. "I told you… your flames won't hurt me."
Kael closed his eyes and leaned into her touch.
For a moment, the world was quiet.
But only for a moment.
BOOOOM—!
The entire palace shook violently.
Kael pulled Aria close. "Stay behind me."
Aria's mark pulsed in warning.
A wave of demonic pressure surged through the Forbidden Wing, thick and heavy.
Kael's expression darkened.
"They're here."
Aria blinked. "Who—?"
A blast of red light tore through the entrance—and three councilors emerged, horns glowing like molten stone.
And behind them…
Ezren.
Aria's breath caught.
Kael's brother stepped into view, his silver aura shimmering, eyes sharper than ever.
Ezren spoke first.
"Well," he sighed, "that was louder than expected."
Kael snarled."What are you doing here?"
Ezren ignored the question—his gaze fell on Aria.
She stiffened.
Ezren's eyes widened slightly.
"The mark… it changed again."
Kael stepped between them instantly."Don't look at her."
Ezren raised a brow."You're unusually possessive today."
The council pushed forward.
"Prince Kael," the lead councilor hissed, "you used the Forbidden Flame."
Kael didn't deny it.
"I did."
The councilors recoiled as if he had confessed to murder.
"That power was sealed by the Demon King himself!""You broke ancient law!""You endangered the realm!"
Kael's voice dropped to a growl.
"I did what I had to. They tried to kill her."
The council pointed at Aria.
"That human girl is the danger! Look at her—her mark is glowing like a storm!"
Aria clutched her chest."I-I can't control it…"
The mark pulsed again—a soft red glow spreading across her skin like ink.
Ezren stepped closer, studying it.
"Interesting," he murmured. "It's reacting to Kael's Forbidden Flame."
Kael glared."Don't touch her."
Ezren smirked."I wasn't planning to. Yet."
The council hissed at Ezren.
"Prince Ezren, stay out of this—"
But Ezren raised a hand, silencing them effortlessly.
"I'm not helping Kael."He looked at Aria again."I'm studying the only mark that can threaten our realm."
Kael's aura exploded.
"She is NOT a threat!"
"Wrong," the councilor snapped."She IS the threat."
Aria felt her stomach twist painfully.
Kael growled, "If you lay a finger on her—"
"You'll what?" the second councilor sneered."Kill us? Burn the realm? Become a monster like your father?"
Kael froze.
Aria looked up sharply.
Father?
Ezren's expression hardened."That's enough."
But Kael didn't move.Didn't breathe.
Aria touched his arm gently.
"Kael… your father…?"
Kael didn't answer.
Because the council didn't let him.
"The Demon King sealed the Forbidden Flame because he knew how dangerous Kael's bloodline was!"
"And now," another councilor spat,"your precious human has awakened the same power inside her!"
Kael's eyes widened.
"What?"
Ezren spoke coldly.
"Look at her neck, brother."
Kael turned to Aria.
Aria touched her skin—her mark had spread slightly, thin red lines crawling like glowing veins.
Kael's heartbeat dropped.
"No… no, no—Aria—"
Ezren exhaled sharply.
"Her body is adapting to your flame. She's synchronizing with you."
Aria whispered, voice trembling."What does that mean?"
Ezren shrugged lightly."It means that if Kael loses control again… you will too."
Kael felt the world tilt.
Aria reached for his hand, but he pulled back abruptly.
"Don't touch me."
Aria froze.
He saw the hurt in her eyes—and immediately hated himself.
But he stepped back anyway.
"I'm dangerous to you right now."
Tears blurred Aria's vision.
Kael took a shaky breath.
"I need… distance. Not because I don't want you—"His voice cracked."—but because I can't risk harming you."
Ezren watched quietly.
The council smirked.
"Even the prince knows the girl is a liability."
Kael turned, flames sparking around him.
"She is my bride. Not yours to judge."
Aria gasped softly.
Ezren's eyes narrowed.The councilors froze.
But Kael continued.
"I will protect her. Even from myself."
The council stepped forward.
"Then you will answer for breaking ancient law."
Chains of red magic shot forward—wrapping around Kael's wrists, binding him.
Aria screamed. "NO! STOP!"
But Kael didn't resist.
He looked at her gently.
"Aria… trust me."
Tears streamed down her face.
Ezren approached her quietly.
"You should come with me," Ezren said softly."It's safer than watching him be punished."
Aria glared through tears.
"I'm not leaving Kael."
Ezren paused—surprised.
Then a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"…Interesting."
Kael met Aria's eyes as the council dragged him away.
"Aria…" he whispered,"I'll come back for you."
Aria reached out—
But the chains pulled him into darkness.
She fell to her knees.
Ezren watched her silently.
And for the first time—his voice softened.
"Don't worry," he said quietly."My brother has survived worse."
Aria wiped her tears.
Her mark pulsed—angrily, protectively, alive.
Ezren's eyes widened.
"…Your power is waking again."
Aria looked up.
Her voice was steady.
"Then let it wake."