Chapter 23

Far away in the shadowed heart of Eryndoria, cries pierced the night like knives. The raw sound of flesh meeting leather echoed through the damp, cold air. Whips cracked mercilessly against the backs of men, their agonized screams swallowed by the unyielding stone walls.

"Keep working!" a voice thundered, authoritative and cold. The guards moved like ruthless shadows, driving the enslaved workers to turn a massive rolling mechanism. Muscles strained, sweat mingling with blood as they struggled under the brutal demand.

Above the chaos, at the top of a grand staircase, the king watched with a cruel smirk curling his lips. His sharp gaze gleamed as the enormous container suspended above the machinery tipped slightly, releasing a thick stream of purplish liquid that glowed faintly in the dim light. The vile substance hissed and swirled as it mixed into a shimmering basin below.

"How long must we wait?" the king's voice dripped with malice, each word a blade cutting through the oppressive atmosphere.

A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in darkness, his face obscured by a hood that veiled all but a faint glimmer of eyes that gleamed unnaturally. His smile was subtle, predatory.

"Not long," the figure murmured, his voice smooth and unsettling. "The blood moon draws near. Just a little more patience, Your Majesty."

The king's smirk deepened as though savoring a victory already won.

The cloaked figure's steps were soundless as he turned and vanished into the darkness, leaving only a faint, eerie whisper hanging in the air. The king's eyes flickered with anticipation, a dangerous gleam that promised ruin.

Below, the men continued their tortured labor, oblivious to the forces stirring beneath their feet.

Back to the cave…..

The cavern was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the faint crackling of distant embers from unseen torches. Rhaine's voice was soft but resolute as she asked, "Are you okay now?" Her words carried a weight born of guilt and confusion, echoing through the space between them.

Kaelion exhaled slowly, his broad shoulders tense. "I'm fine," he said, though there was an edge to his voice. "I'm sorry for... earlier."

"It's fine. Nothing really happened anyway." Her words were flat, dismissive, but her voice wavered ever so slightly.

"You sound disappointed," he said with a low chuckle, though there was curiosity in his tone.

Rhaine's lips pressed into a thin line as she stared quietly at him, refusing to respond. The air between them was thick with unsaid words. Kaelion, sensing the turmoil in her, didn't push further. Instead, he simply held her, his grip firm but reassuring.

Rhaine leaned into the warmth of his embrace, bewildered by the comfort she found there. What was wrong with her? Why was she craving this closeness from him, a man who was supposed to be nothing more than a protector and a thorn in her side? Was this what love felt like—a betrayal of duty and logic?

"I'm sorry," Kaelion spoke again, his voice softer now. "I disrespected you. I shouldn't have kissed you without your permission."

He shifted her gently so she faced him, his fingers lifting her chin to meet his gaze. "But I don't understand one thing. The first time was forced, yes. But the second..." His voice lowered, thick with emotion. "I could feel that you wanted it too. So why do you act so unmoved by me?"

"I—" Rhaine opened her mouth to protest but faltered.

"Be honest with me," he urged, his eyes piercing through her defenses. "Actually, be honest with yourself."

She felt as though he had stripped her bare with that simple demand.

"I understand you have your duties," he continued, his tone steadier now. "But must you let those elders choose a man for you when you could choose for yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean choose me." His words were a quiet but powerful declaration, hanging between them like a challenge.

For a fleeting moment, the thought of saying yes danced on the edge of her mind. But years of conditioning, of being told that attachments would cloud her judgment as a leader, reasserted themselves.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice strained. "I cannot." She looked away, hiding the conflict in her eyes.

Kaelion's expression darkened with disappointment, but he said nothing. He would never force her to feel what she wasn't ready to admit. After a tense pause, he changed the subject.

"So... the symbols," he asked.

"They're nothing," she deflected, her voice guarded.

He chuckled knowingly. "Really? From what I know, they're linked to an ancient race of healers—a sect thought to be lost long ago." His eyes bore into hers. "Tell me, isn't that where you're from... Saintess?"

Rhaine's expression remained cold, but her eyes betrayed her surprise. How much did he truly know?

"What do you know?" she finally asked, her voice measured.

"I know you're the last of your bloodline. That you're connected to the ancient realignment map that supposedly vanished from this world." He leaned closer, his gaze unrelenting. "Tell me, Saintess... what do you plan to do?"

"It's none of your concern."

"But you are my concern."

Her breath hitched. "What—?"

She wanted to retort, to push him away, but the weight of his words held her captive. In the end, all she could manage was a weary sigh.

Kaelion glanced toward the cave's entrance, his eyes narrowing. "We should leave. More guards will come before dawn, and it'll be even harder to slip away then."

He stood, pulling her to her feet effortlessly.

They maneuvered through the rugged terrain in silence. Kaelion guided her with precision, ensuring they weren't seen. If he had been alone, he would have walked brazenly past the guards, but with Rhaine, caution was necessary. Her reputation had to remain intact.

The palace grounds were eerily quiet, most of its inhabitants already asleep. As they neared her quarters, Rhaine finally spoke. "Thank you, General."

Kaelion chuckled softly at her stubborn refusal to call him by his name. "My pleasure." He glanced toward a nearby window and called out sharply, "Thalric!"

A figure materialized from the shadows, descending gracefully from the window. He bowed respectfully. "General. Saintess."

"This is Thalric," Kaelion said, his tone firm. "He will be your guard and protect you." His gaze softened as he looked at Rhaine. "I'm assigning him to you. Just call him when you need him."

Rhaine was surprised but felt a warmth bloom in her chest. Without hesitation, she nodded. "Thank you," she said sincerely, offering a slight bow to the shadow guard.

"Remember what I said," Kaelion urged before departing with Thalric.

Suddenly realization hit. He said earlier he did not accept verbal gratitude.

As she ascended the stairs to her chambers, the events of the night replayed in her mind. A sudden thought struck her—my veil. He never removed it. Even when they kissed, he had kept his eyes closed, never once seeking to see her whole face.

Why did he make her feel like this? Her heart wavered, torn between duty and desire.

But she made up her mind. Tomorrow, she would drink her elixir and forget these feelings for Kaelion. Love was a luxury she couldn't afford. Her kingdom needed a leader, not a woman with a heart tethered to a man who made her question everything she'd been taught.