Selene screamed.
The sound ripped out of her throat so sharply it seemed to cut through the walls of her chamber.
Pain exploded through her like a blade driven into soft flesh.
For one horrifying moment, she could not breathe.
Her body arched violently beneath Kael as raw agony tore through the deepest part of her. It felt as if something inside her had split open. She had trained through broken bones, ruptured Channels, frostbite from failed water techniques—
None of it compared to this.
"Gods—!"
Kael's drunken haze shattered all at once.
He stared downward in absolute panic.
Blood.
Bright red blood.
It stained Selene's trembling thighs. It streaked his lower body. It painted the sheets beneath her in violent crimson.
His face went white.
"What have I done?" he whispered.
He looked like he might vomit.
"I—I didn't mean—"
He instinctively tried to pull away.
The moment he moved, Selene shrieked again.
The sound nearly stopped his heart.
He froze instantly.
Selene shook her head violently, tears flooding her eyes as she broke into ragged sobs.
The pain was unbearable.
No—
Worse than pain.
There was shame.
Humiliation.
Terror.
She had spent years maintaining discipline, pride, distance.
And now she was pinned beneath her junior disciple with his body buried inside hers.
Her wrists still bound by the Eight-Claw Flamescourge.
Her robes ruined.
Her dignity shattered.
And worst of all—
Her own body was betraying her.
"Don't..." she gasped through tears. "Don't move..."
Kael's breathing came in frantic bursts.
This was bad.
This was catastrophic.
If Isara found out—
No.
Forget punishment.
Lady Magister Isara would carve him into pieces.
He should have been horrified.
He was horrified.
But beneath the terror...
Her body felt impossibly warm.
Soft.
Tight.
His cock was trapped inside heat so intense it bordered on madness.
It was like being swallowed by living silk.
Every inch of him was squeezed by trembling, wet flesh.
He nearly lost his mind from the sensation alone.
Selene tried to shift her hips away.
The movement only made things worse.
Pain shot through her core again.
Her legs instinctively clamped around his waist.
Kael made a strangled sound.
Now he was trapped even deeper.
They stared at each other in mutual horror.
One crying.
One panicking.
Neither daring to move.
Then...
Something changed.
Kael's face slowly twisted into confusion.
Selene's body—
It was moving.
Not her hips.
Not her legs.
Inside.
The soft walls wrapped around him began to pulse.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Drawing him deeper.
He nearly choked.
Selene felt it too.
Her face turned scarlet.
"You..." she whispered shakily.
Her eyes widened with rage and embarrassment.
"You're still—"
"I'm not doing anything!" Kael blurted.
He actually tried pulling backward to prove it.
Selene cried out again.
But this time—
Mixed with pain...
There was something else.
A tiny spark.
A pulse of strange pleasure.
Small.
Barely there.
But undeniably real.
Her entire body stiffened in disbelief.
No.
No, no, no—
That wasn't possible.
Kael felt it too.
The passage around him had become slicker.
Warmer.
His thoughts scattered.
He looked at Selene.
Her lips parted.
Her breathing turned uneven.
Her eyes fluttered half-shut.
She looked devastatingly beautiful.
And Kael broke.
He thrust forward.
Hard.
Selene gasped violently.
He drove deeper than before—
And suddenly the tip of his cock struck something impossibly soft.
A tiny hidden place buried deep inside her.
Kael nearly blacked out.
Every nerve in his body erupted.
"What was—"
He thrust again.
Found it again.
That same hidden point.
Soft.
Sensitive.
Perfect.
Selene's body jolted violently.
Her back arched off the bed.
Her chin collapsed against his shoulder as all strength fled her limbs.
"Stop..." she whimpered.
But the word lacked force.
Because when he struck that place—
Pleasure poured through her body like liquid lightning.
It made her toes curl.
Her stomach tighten.
Her thoughts vanish.
And then warmth flooded between them.
Her body began releasing slick heat in desperate waves.
Kael groaned.
The sudden wetness made everything smoother.
Hotter.
More addictive.
He began thrusting faster.
Harder.
Like a starving man who had finally tasted food.
Selene's cries became ragged.
"It hurts—!"
Then—
"No... wait..."
Then—
"Why... why does it feel..."
She couldn't finish.
Her body shook violently.
Pain was fading.
Pleasure was swallowing everything.
Kael clutched her tightly.
Sweat poured down his face.
He buried himself in her over and over, consumed by sensation beyond anything he had imagined from those forbidden illustrations.
This was real.
This was hotter.
Wilder.
More overwhelming.
Gods.
He had actually put himself inside her.
And she felt incredible.
Selene could feel every inch of him.
Every thrust.
Every stretch.
Every pulse of heat.
Her inner walls clung to him desperately.
Her own slick arousal spread across both their bodies.
Her mind screamed at her to stop.
To hate him.
To fight.
But her body betrayed her with each desperate rise of her hips.
Kael noticed.
His eyes widened.
Then darkened.
He grabbed her hips.
Lifted her lower body.
And began slamming into her harder.
Selene cried out helplessly.
The sounds spilling from her throat grew more broken.
More desperate.
Her breasts bounced with each brutal thrust, slick with sweat.
Her body burned.
Kael's own control was collapsing.
A strange pressure built inside him.
Fast.
Violent.
He had no idea what was happening.
Then he looked down.
Blood still stained her thighs.
The sight snapped something savage loose inside him.
Heat erupted from his body.
His cock began changing.
Swelling.
Thickening.
Burning.
Veins rose along its length like glowing red serpents.
His flesh darkened into the color of heated iron.
Kael stared in horror.
"What the hell—"
Selene screamed.
The heat inside her doubled.
It felt like molten metal had entered her body.
"No—!"
She tried pushing him away.
Her bound wrists strained uselessly.
The Eight-Claw Flamescourge bit into her skin, leaving angry bruises.
Kael's mind drowned beneath instinct.
He shoved her legs higher.
Pinned her nearly folded in half.
Then drove into her with merciless force.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Selene sobbed.
"I can't—!"
Her body trembled violently.
A strange pressure built deep inside her abdomen.
She panicked.
It felt like she needed to release something.
Like she might lose control entirely.
Kael pinned her down harder.
His hands locked onto her shoulders.
His hips hammered against her relentlessly.
Then—
He struck that hidden place again.
Hard.
Selene's mind went blank.
Her body locked rigid.
Her mouth opened in a silent scream.
No sound emerged.
Only trembling.
Then she shattered.
Her body convulsed violently.
Pleasure detonated through every nerve she possessed.
Warm liquid burst from her in uncontrollable waves.
Her first climax struck like divine judgment.
Kael felt it.
Her release drenched him.
The sensation sent him over the edge instantly.
His entire body locked.
His cock pulsed violently inside her.
Then he erupted.
Hot bursts of release flooded deep into her trembling body.
Again.
Again.
Again.
He groaned like a dying man.
Selene shook beneath him, overwhelmed by wave after wave of forced pleasure.
"No..."
She was crying again.
"No... please..."
But her body continued trembling with aftershocks.
Kael held her hips and emptied himself completely into her.
Lost in absolute madness.
Lost in her warmth.
Lost in her tightness.
Lost in the ruin they had created together.
Eventually—
The storm passed.
Kael collapsed against her.
Breathing like a man who had survived battle.
Selene hung limply against him.
Boneless.
Dazed.
Her eyes half-open.
Her thoughts gone.
Only his chest beneath her cheek kept her anchored to reality.
Then Kael's sanity returned.
And pure terror followed.
Oh no.
Oh no no no no—
He stared at her bruised wrists.
The blood.
The ruined sheets.
The evidence.
His soul nearly left his body.
"I'm dead," he whispered.
"If Master finds out, I'm dead."
He imagined Isara calmly cutting off his limbs one by one.
And somehow—
Despite the terror—
He still didn't regret it.
That frightened him even more.
Selene finally spoke.
Her voice was weak.
Barely audible.
"Get off me."
Kael practically launched himself backward.
He quickly untangled the Eight-Claw Flamescourge from her wrists.
He didn't even dare beg forgiveness.
He simply dropped to his knees beside the bed like a condemned criminal awaiting execution.
"Sel... I—"
"Get out."
Her voice was flat.
Dead calm.
That scared him more than screaming would have.
He looked at her wrists.
Dark bruises had already formed where his weapon had restrained her.
His stomach twisted.
"Third Soror—"
"Get."
Her voice sharpened.
"Out."
Kael scrambled into his trousers so fast he nearly fell over.
Then he fled the room.
He stumbled outside into the freezing mountain night.
The winds of Vane's Summit cut through his sweat-soaked skin.
Cold mist rolled between ancient trees.
The world felt unreal.
Silent.
Dreamlike.
Kael stood outside her door, breathing hard.
Trying to understand what had just happened.
Trying to understand what he had become.
And failing completely.
Kael stood outside Selene's door for what felt like hours.
The mountain wind clawed at his bare chest. Cold mist slid through the trees like wandering ghosts. His skin was still damp with sweat. His hands still shook.
He kept staring at the shut door.
Waiting.
For screaming.
For a blade through his throat.
For Isara's voice ringing across Vane's Summit like judgment.
Nothing came.
The silence became worse than any punishment he could imagine.
His breathing turned ragged.
What if she killed herself?
The thought struck him like lightning.
Kael went pale.
"No…" he whispered.
His stomach dropped so hard it felt like he was falling off a cliff.
He spun and nearly crashed into the door as he lunged back toward it—
The door creaked open first.
Kael froze.
Selene stepped out.
Her long black hair hung loose and wild around her shoulders. She looked pale. Her lips were swollen. She wore one of his dark green robes, hastily wrapped around herself, hiding what remained of her ruined sea-green dress beneath it.
For one insane moment, Kael thought she looked more beautiful than ever.
Then shame hit him so hard he nearly collapsed.
"Sel…"
His throat locked.
He had no idea what to say.
He lowered his head.
If she stabbed him now, he would not resist.
She looked through him like he didn't exist.
Then she walked past him.
Her steps were uneven.
A slight limp.
Kael's heart twisted so violently he nearly doubled over.
He hurried after her.
"Wait—I can help—"
He reached toward her arm.
Crack.
Her slap hit like a whip.
His head snapped sideways.
Heat exploded across his cheek.
He stumbled backward and stared at her.
Selene didn't even look at him.
She just kept walking.
Slowly.
Silently.
Until she vanished around the bend in the mountain path.
Kael stood alone in the freezing dark, one hand pressed to his burning face.
Then eventually—
exhaustion dragged him under.
---
"Get up!"
Kael nearly rolled off his bed.
He bolted upright, half-panicked, hair sticking in every direction.
Mira Stonwell stood over him with both hands on her hips.
Her round face looked equal parts amused and annoyed.
"Finally awake?" she said. "Were you planning to sleep through our departure?"
Kael blinked at her.
Then reality crashed back.
Departure.
The mountain.
Last night.
Selene.
His face turned white.
"Master…" he croaked. "Did she—did Master ask for me?"
Mira frowned.
"Of course she did. Did you forget we're leaving Vane's Summit today?"
Kael swallowed.
Hard.
"She didn't say she wanted to… punish me?"
Mira stared at him.
"What are you babbling about?"
Kael forced a laugh that sounded deeply unwell.
"Nothing."
Mira crossed her arms.
"Hurry up. Everyone's waiting."
Kael hesitated.
Then asked in a weak voice—
"Selene…"
Mira tilted her head.
"What about her?"
"How is she?"
Mira blinked.
"She woke up before everyone else. She's already packed."
Kael stared.
"That's it?"
"That's… it?"
"She didn't say anything?"
Mira looked increasingly suspicious.
"She said you'd probably oversleep and told me to drag your lazy corpse out of bed."
Kael froze.
"She… told you to wake me?"
"Yes."
Mira squinted at him.
"Kael, are you sick?"
Relief slammed into him so hard his knees nearly gave out.
She hadn't exposed him.
She hadn't told Isara.
She hadn't destroyed him.
Not yet.
A stupid grin spread across his face.
"I'm alive."
Mira blinked.
"What?"
"Nothing!" Kael jumped off the bed. "Give me a moment!"
He sprinted outside.
Skipped washing entirely.
Used the Ground-Sprint Art to blast half a mile down the mountain to a freezing stream.
He threw himself into the water.
The cold nearly stopped his heart.
He scrubbed himself like he was trying to erase sin from his skin.
Then he activated the Sundering Flame Art.
Steam exploded off his body.
His clothes dried instantly.
He dressed at full speed and rushed back.
Mira was standing in his room, staring at the Lone-Bud Branch resting in its porcelain vase.
The peach branch glowed faintly in the morning light.
Its translucent stem pulsed with liquid gold.
Mira leaned closer.
"Is this a flower?"
Kael's heart jumped.
Peria.
Right.
He coughed.
"Very rare medicinal branch."
Mira narrowed her eyes.
"That tells me nothing."
"We're late."
He snatched the branch and vase together and shoved them into the Wardian Satchel.
Mira looked around his room.
"Did you actually pack?"
Kael stared at his own disaster of a room.
Clothes everywhere.
Pills.
Weapons.
Books.
Broken pottery.
One torn scrap of illustrated paper that sent immediate shame rushing through him.
He kicked it under the bed.
Then started shoving everything he owned into the Wardian Satchel.
"I'm prepared for all situations."
"You packed three sacks of Ghostlight Moss."
"What if I need them?"
"You packed a kettle."
"What if I get thirsty?"
"You packed a broken chair leg."
Kael paused.
"…good point."
He threw it away.
Mira groaned.
"Hurry!"
He stuffed in one final chunk of Ghostlight Moss and tied the satchel shut.
Then froze.
His hair was a complete disaster.
He turned toward Mira and smiled shamelessly.
"Elder Soror."
"No."
"You don't even know what I'm asking."
"Yes I do."
"Please braid my hair."
"Absolutely not."
Kael clasped his hands dramatically.
"We're leaving the mountain. Help me look dignified."
"You are physically incapable of looking dignified."
"If I appear handsome, it reflects well on you."
Mira stared at him.
Then unexpectedly softened.
For a moment she looked far away.
Like she remembered when he was younger.
When things were simpler.
When he was just an annoying little brother instead of a walking catastrophe.
She sighed.
"One time."
Kael grinned.
"You're the best."
"Don't speak."
He sat while she combed his hair.
Her small fingers worked carefully through the knots.
Kael relaxed.
For the first time since last night—
he felt peace.
He looked up at her.
"When we reach a proper city, I'll buy you expensive cosmetics."
Mira blinked.
"What?"
"And I'll help paint your eyebrows."
Her cheeks turned bright red.
"What nonsense are you saying?!"
Kael frowned.
"I'm being generous."
Mira glared at him.
"You truly are hopeless."
"What?"
"Pig-brain."
She said it loudly this time.
Kael looked offended.
Then laughed.
And for a little while—
everything felt normal again.
---
By the time they reached the Violet Reishi Pavilion, everyone else was already waiting.
Kael immediately felt his spine straighten.
Elder Velda stood at the platform's edge like an ancient mountain wrapped in human skin.
Isara stood beside her.
Cold.
Perfect.
Terrifying.
Lyra Farrow lounged nearby with dangerous elegance.
Auryn.
Sylva.
Selene.
Zaeli.
Everyone was present.
Kael rushed forward and bowed rapidly to each senior.
Isara's eyes narrowed.
"You are nearly late."
Kael swallowed.
"Forgive me, Master."
"Another minute and I would have left you behind to guard the mountain alone."
Kael forced a grin.
Then immediately moved toward Lyra and bowed deeply.
"Good morning, Shreve Lyra."
Lyra smiled.
That smile made him nervous instantly.
"Couldn't get out of bed?"
Kael nearly choked.
His eyes shot toward Selene.
She was leaning against Sylva, speaking casually.
Perfectly calm.
As if nothing had happened.
As if she hadn't completely shattered his life the night before.
Kael forced himself to breathe.
"I was… excited to leave the mountain."
Lyra's smile deepened.
"Too much excitement can make young men do very foolish things."
Kael's soul nearly left his body.
Did she know?
How could she know?
He stood there sweating in freezing mountain air.
Unable to respond.
Thankfully—
Isara moved first.
She bowed slightly to Elder Velda.
"We depart now."
Velda nodded.
"Travel safely. If matters turn unfavorable, return immediately."
Isara inclined her head.
Then held out her hand.
"Zaeli."
Zaeli quickly brought forward a storage pouch.
Isara opened it.
Light burst outward.
Kael shielded his eyes.
Then saw it.
Dreamgate.
The divine sword looked forged from moonlight and living glass.
Its blade shimmered with impossible colors.
The entire pavilion glowed like a dream.
Auryn immediately barked—
"Step back."
Everyone obeyed.
Isara spoke a command.
Then hurled Dreamgate into the sky.
The sword expanded.
And expanded.
And expanded.
Until it became the size of a ship.
It hovered above the platform.
Radiating overwhelming power.
Even Elder Velda smiled.
"Your control improves."
Isara bowed slightly.
Then stepped onto the blade first.
Zaeli followed carrying the sheath.
Lyra rose gracefully.
"Well then."
She leapt onto the sword.
Auryn bowed to Velda.
Then everyone followed.
Kael climbed aboard last—
and immediately rushed to the very front.
This was his first time riding Dreamgate.
He wasn't wasting it.
The sword launched.
Kael screamed.
Not from bravery.
From absolute terror.
Clouds swallowed everything.
White mist consumed the world.
Wind battered his face.
He dropped to his knees and clung to the blade.
"We're going to die!"
No one answered.
They had clearly done this before.
Then—
the clouds broke.
Kael looked up.
And forgot how to breathe.
Endless blue sky.
Sunlight.
An ocean of clouds beneath them.
The Jade Peaks stretched below like endless green waves frozen in stone.
Forests looked like patches of moss.
Rivers looked like threads of silver.
Vane's Summit shrank behind them.
Smaller.
Smaller.
Until it vanished into cloud.
Kael slowly stood.
Wonder replaced fear.
He spread his arms and shouted into the wind.
This time from pure joy.
Mira laughed behind him.
"Careful! Fall off and I'm not catching you!"
Kael turned.
Everyone was watching him.
Some amused.
Some annoyed.
He coughed awkwardly.
"It's magnificent."
Mira smiled softly.
"I know."
Then Kael noticed her properly.
She wore clothes far finer than usual.
Green silk.
Flowing skirts.
Her hair shone in the sunlight.
She looked radiant.
He blinked.
When did Mira become this pretty?
Then his gaze shifted.
And landed on Selene.
She was already watching him.
Their eyes met.
Kael's pulse thundered.
She looked away first.
Cold.
Unreadable.
And then he noticed something else.
Her hair.
It was styled differently.
Pinned in a way he had only seen on married women in mountain towns below.
His brain stopped functioning.
Then started imagining things it absolutely should not have been imagining.
His legs nearly gave out.
What does that mean?
He looked at the others.
And suddenly noticed all of them.
Lyra's lush dangerous beauty.
Auryn's cold elegance.
Sylva's gentle warmth.
Mira's sweetness.
Even Zaeli's quiet grace.
Then—
against all reason—
he looked at Isara.
Only for a moment.
And immediately looked away.
That feeling was far too dangerous to examine.
Above them—
Dreamgate cut through the heavens.
Below them—
the world stretched endlessly.
Sunlight poured over the women around him until they looked less like mortals and more like divine beings carved from light.
Kael stood at the front of the sword.
Wind tearing at his clothes.
Heart pounding.
Life changing.
And for the first time—
Vane's Summit truly felt behind him.