The Hall of Chains was still trembling.
Cracks ran across the floor like broken lightning.
The chains that once held Kael floated lifelessly in mid-air, glowing faint red—as if they, too, had bowed to Aria's mark.
Aria held Kael upright, her heart pounding.
"Kael… can you walk?"
Kael coughed softly, blood streaking his lips.
"I will," he said quietly, "as long as you're holding me."
Aria tightened her grip around his waist.
She didn't care if the whole realm watched.
She wasn't letting go.
---
Council Panic
The councilors backed away, fear twisting their faces.
"That girl broke sacred seals—!"
"She is a danger to us all!"
"She must be eliminated before the prophecy completes!"
Aria flinched at the word eliminate.
But before she could react, Kael violently jerked forward, snarling:
"Touch her, and I'll burn your souls."
A wave of dark flame burst from him, forcing the councilors to shield their faces.
Ezren stepped between them.
"You three are forgetting something," he said coldly.
"She broke the Hall of Chains. None of us can fight her now."
Aria gasped.
Kael stiffened.
Ezren turned to Aria, his silver eyes sharp.
"Your mark isn't just awakened," he said.
"It's evolving… into something older."
Aria blinked. "Older?"
Ezren nodded slowly.
"Older than demon magic. Older than the royal bloodline."
The councilors trembled.
"One of the ancient marks…"
"Impossible… those legends were sealed…"
"She cannot—must not—exist."
Aria looked at Kael, confused and scared.
But Kael wasn't looking at her.
He was staring at the glowing veins spreading from her mark.
His voice was barely a whisper.
"No… it can't be…"
Aria touched her collarbone.
"Kael… what's wrong with me?"
Kael gently took her hand, placing it against his chest.
"Nothing is wrong," he whispered.
"But something is changing."
Ezren folded his arms.
"It's time she knew, Kael."
Kael clenched his jaw.
"No."
Ezren stepped closer.
"She HAS to know. If that mark completes its evolution, the entire demon realm will shift."
Aria's breath hitched.
"Shift… how?"
Ezren looked her straight in the eyes.
"In your favor… or against you. Depending on your heart."
Aria's skin chilled.
"My… heart?"
Ezren nodded.
"The Blood-Bound Bride prophecy says your power reacts to your emotions.
Fear. Anger. Love."
Kael winced.
Aria whispered,
"So… if I lose control of my feelings—
My mark could destroy everything? "
Ezren smirked slightly.
"Or save it. Depends on who you choose."
Kael growled, stepping forward.
"Ezren, enough."
Ezren held up his hands.
"Relax, brother. I'm only explaining."
Aria looked helplessly between the two princes.
"But I don't want to choose. I just want Kael safe."
Kael's eyes softened, completely forgetting his fury.
Aria's voice began to shake.
"I don't want my mark to decide anything. I don't want a prophecy. I just… want him alive."
Kael cupped her face, his thumb brushing a tear from her cheek.
"You saved me," he whispered.
"You broke the chains. You broke every rule to reach me."
Aria swallowed.
"I'd do it again."
Kael's breath stopped.
Ezren rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Yes, yes, love is loud. We get it."
Kael shot him a death glare.
But Ezren suddenly stiffened.
He turned sharply toward the far shadows.
"Someone is coming."
The council gasped.
"No… it can't be…"
Ezren muttered under his breath:
"Of all times…"
Aria stepped closer to Kael.
"Who's coming…?"
Kael's blood ran cold.
He whispered:
"…My mother."
Aria's heart dropped.
Ezren sighed.
"Well, Aria…
Congratulations."
He gave a half-smirk, half-warning.
"You're about to meet the Demon Queen."
Kael held Aria's hand tightly.
Too tightly.
As if shielding her from the one person even he feared.