Elena woke slowly.
Her head rested on something warm and steady.
For a moment she didn't move.
Then she realized…
Kael's arm was around her.
He was sitting beside the bed, and at some point during the night she had fallen asleep against him.
His head was slightly tilted back against the wall, eyes closed.
Even asleep, he looked powerful.
Dangerous.
But his arm around her waist was gentle.
Careful.
Elena watched him quietly.
"You're staring again."
His voice was deep and slightly rough from sleep.
She jumped.
"I thought you were asleep!"
Kael opened his silver eyes.
"I was."
His arm tightened slightly around her.
"But you were moving."
Elena tried to sit up but he didn't release her immediately.
"You stayed here all night?" she asked.
"Yes."
"You didn't have to."
"I did."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"You were attacked."
Elena looked down.
"I'm sorry."
Kael lifted her chin gently with his fingers.
"Do not apologize for someone else's crimes."
Their eyes met.
For a moment the world felt quiet again.
Safe.
Then suddenly—
Elena felt something strange in her chest.
A pulse.
Warm.
Strong.
She gasped softly.
"Kael… do you feel that?"
His expression changed instantly.
"Yes."
The mark on her wrist began glowing.
Golden light spread across her skin.
Elena sat up quickly.
"What's happening to me?"
Kael stood.
"Your magic."
The air in the room began to move.
Curtains fluttered.
The candles flickered wildly.
Golden energy surrounded Elena like a soft storm.
"I can't control it!" she cried.
Kael stepped closer.
"Elena. Look at me."
She did.
"Breathe."
The magic pulsed again.
Stronger this time.
Light burst from her hands and spread across the room like sunlight breaking through darkness.
Kael didn't move away.
Instead, he reached forward and held her hands.
His shadows rose around them both.
Darkness and light swirling together.
"Focus on me," he said quietly.
Her breathing slowed.
The magic gradually calmed.
The golden glow faded.
The room fell silent again.
Elena looked down at her hands in shock.
"I've never done that before…"
Kael stared at her with an intensity she had never seen.
"Elena…"
"What?"
"That wasn't healing magic."
Her heart skipped.
"Then what was it?"
Kael's voice was almost a whisper.
"Ancient magic."
She blinked.
"That's impossible."
Kael shook his head slowly.
"No."
His hand tightened around hers.
"It means Seraphine isn't just hunting you because you're my bride."
A chill ran down Elena's spine.
"Then why?"
Kael looked into her eyes.
"Because you might be the most powerful woman in this kingdom."
And far away in the dark forest…
Seraphine stood before a hooded figure.
"The girl's power has awakened," she said.
The figure smiled beneath the shadows.
"Good."
A monstrous army waited behind them.
"Then the war can finally begin."