Blood moonlight festival-A love so tender it breaks without a sound.

"You shouldn't be giving me this."

Ember's fingers brushed over the cool surface of the necklace, her heart skipping a beat as she stared at its intricate design.

A delicate chain of silver and black gold, interwoven like the strands of fate, holding an opal-like gemstone that shimmered under the dim candlelight.

The Demon King watched her reaction closely, his large hands still resting on her shoulders.

"It belonged to my wife," he said simply.

Ember's stomach twisted.

Her head shot up, eyes wide. "Your wife?"

The King gave a small smile, the kind that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"She was an amazing woman," he mused, his tone quiet but laced with something deeper….something unreadable.

Ember's hands fumbled, panic surging through her. "I…I can't take this."

"You can," he corrected, his voice calm but firm.

"I shouldn't."

He sighed. "And yet… you will."

Ember swallowed, shifting in her seat. "Why are you giving me something so personal?"

The King met her gaze, and for a moment, she felt trapped under the weight of his stare.

"You should wear something meaningful tonight," he said at last. "Besides, I think it suits you."

Before she could argue further, he clasped the necklace around her neck, letting his fingers brush against her skin.

The moment felt too intimate, too heavy, and Ember exhaled shakily.

Then,

A feeling.

A presence.

The door was open, and as Ember lifted her eyes, she caught a glimpse of silver hair just outside.

Ilzara.

She stood motionless, her golden gaze locked onto Ember, her expression unreadable.

And then….she was gone.

Ember's breath hitched.

Had she imagined that?

But the tension in the air told her she hadn't.

The Demon King stepped back, adjusting the folds of his robe.

"I have things to oversee," he said. "I'll see you at the festival."

Ember barely nodded as he left, her hands tightening instinctively around the pendant.

Something felt strange.

Something felt… wrong.

Kaelith stood at the grand entrance, his posture rigid as waves of guests arrived.

Humans. Demons. Aristocrats and common folk.

The air was thick with the aroma of roasted meats, spiced fruits, and rich wine.

Candles floated midair, lanterns were strung across the towering trees, and music danced through the wind.

The Moonlight Festival….a night where borders blurred and even the lowest of mortals could walk among kings.

He greeted a noble from the East, then turned as another pair approached.

His cousin, Elarion, walked hand in hand with his pregnant human wife, Maris.

Kaelith's lips curled slightly. "You actually look domesticated now, cousin."

Elarion grinned, resting a protective hand on his wife's belly. "Say what you will, but this is the happiest I've ever been."

Kaelith's eyes flicked toward Maris. "And you? Still sane after spending a year married into this family?"

She laughed softly, resting a hand over her growing stomach. "So far."

Elarion squeezed her fingers before turning back to Kaelith. "What about you? Have you picked a partner for tonight?"

Kaelith's expression darkened slightly.

Elarion raised a brow. "That bad, huh?"

Kaelith didn't answer.

Instead, he glanced toward the grand staircase….waiting for a glimpse of her.

Waiting for Ember.

Ember was just about to leave for the festival when she felt a shift in the air.

Something cold.

Something wrong.

She turned….

And froze.

Xeylan stood in the doorway, his form leaning against the frame, arms crossed.

His eyes bored into hers, blank, calculating.

Almost predatory.

Ember's stomach tightened.

She straightened, forcing herself to stay calm.

"I should go," she muttered, brushing past him.

A mistake.

Before she could slip past…his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist.

She gasped, spinning back toward him.

His grip tightened, firm but unhurried.

"You look like something I could eat in that dress," Xeylan murmured, his lips curling into a smirk.

Ember stiffened.

His eyes flickered to the necklace around her throat.

And suddenly, his expression changed.

The amusement faded, replaced by something far less playful.

"You must be joking."

Ember frowned. "What?"

Xeylan tilted his head. "That necklace. My mother's necklace."

Her pulse pounded.

"What's your mission here, Ember?" Xeylan's voice turned sharp. "Seducing both my father and my brother?"

Ember's breath hitched. "That's not…."

"First Kaelith. Now our father?" He let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. "I have to admit, I didn't think you had it in you."

Her hands curled into fists. "You don't know anything about me."

"But I know women like you." His eyes gleamed with something cruel. "Pretty little things that wiggle their way into power. Tell me, how long before you start whispering poison into my father's ear?"

Her chest tightened with fury. "I've done nothing to you."

Xeylan's fingers brushed her jaw. "Maybe not yet."

She jerked back.

"Let me go, Xeylan."

"Make me," he taunted.

Her patience snapped.

Ember swung her hand, the sharp crack of her palm against his cheek splitting through the air.

Xeylan's head barely turned from the impact, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then, he moved.

Too fast.

Before Ember could react, his hand closed around her waist, pulling her against him.

His grip was possessive, suffocating.

His lips hovered dangerously close.

"How would it feel," he murmured, his breath hot against her skin, "to have a real demon kiss you?"

Panic spiked in her chest.

"Let go of me!" she shoved at his chest.

Xeylan's grip tightened.

And then….

The necklace snapped.

The delicate chain shattered, the opal gemstone clattering to the floor.

Ember's heart dropped.

Xeylan stepped back, examining the broken necklace with a satisfied smirk.

"Oops."

Her chest heaved.

Her hands shook with rage.

"You…."

Before she could lunge at him….

A different presence filled the air.

Dark. Dangerous.

Kaelith.

He stood just beyond the doorway, his golden eyes blazing with fury.

Xeylan grinned. "Perfect timing, brother."

Kaelith's fists curled.

The air crackled.

Ember stood frozen between them.

"She tried to seduce me."

Xeylan's voice was smooth, casual, laced with amusement as he leaned lazily against the doorframe.

Ember's breath caught.

Kaelith's body went rigid.

His golden eyes snapped to her, his expression unreadable, but his jaw ticked.

"What?" Ember's voice was a whisper, full of disbelief.

Kaelith turned to Xeylan, his fists clenching at his sides. "Is that so?"

Xeylan smirked. "She came onto me," he said, tilting his head as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Flirted. Touched me. Practically begged for my attention."

"That's a damn lie!" Ember snapped, stepping forward, her hands shaking with anger. "I didn't…."

Kaelith's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Enough."

Ember froze.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair, laughing under his breath.

Not out of amusement.

Out of something far more broken.

"So this is why you didn't want to fight for us," he murmured, shaking his head.

Ember stared at him, stunned. "What are you saying?"

Kaelith let out another sharp, humorless laugh.

"You act so innocent," he spat, his voice low, furious. "So innocent, but you're worse than a snake!"

His voice rose, the bitterness thick in his tone.

Ember stumbled back, her chest tightening with disbelief.

Her hands trembled as she whispered, "I hate you…"

Kaelith's breath hitched.

"I hate you so much!!" she burst out, tears spilling over.

From the doorway, Xeylan watched with a satisfied smirk.

Kaelith clenched his jaw so tight it hurt.

"Why?" His lips curled into a mocking, pained smile. "Because I tell you the truth?"

Ember let out a shaky breath, her voice breaking.

"Because nobody," she gasped, "not even my family has hurt me the way you do!"

Kaelith went still.

Her voice….

It wasn't anger anymore.

It was pain.

"I wanted to give you a chance," she sobbed, her hands balling into fists. "Time to heal. But you…"

She shook her head, closing her eyes.

"For you, it could never be me." Her voice was quiet, bitter.

Kaelith's stomach twisted.

"It will never be me, will it?"

The way she said it….the raw, heartbreaking acceptance in her tone…

Something fractured inside him.

For the first time, he stumbled back.

Ember's tears fell freely now, but she didn't bother wiping them away.

"I promise you," she whispered, her voice shaking, "tonight will be the last time you ever see me. And I'll never forgive you, ever."

She turned sharply, storming past him.

As she reached the door, Xeylan's smirk widened.

"Don't let me catch you alone tonight," he murmured, his tone low, dark, and dangerous.

Ember ignored him.

She wiped her tears gently, keeping her back straight, unyielding.

Kaelith watched her go, his chest tight, his breathing shallow.

For the first time, he had no words.

Xeylan let out a low chuckle, straightening from the doorframe.

"Well," he mused, dusting off his sleeve. "That was entertaining."

Kaelith didn't respond.

Didn't move.

And then,

A soft exhale at the doorway.

Kaelith's eyes flickered up.

Ilzara.

She stood there, her expression unreadable, her golden eyes sharp and knowing.

"Don't you know," she murmured, "when a woman says things like that to you, she loves you wholeheartedly?"

Kaelith's breath caught.

He stared at her, his throat tightening.

"I…" His voice came out hoarse. "I fucked it up again, didn't I?"

Ilzara sighed, tilting her head slightly.

She nodded.

Kaelith let out a long, heavy sigh, as if realizing the depth of the damage he had caused.

And for the first time in centuries….

He didn't know how to fix it.