Chapter 4: The Chains of Fate

The weight of Kieran's words pressed against Zyra's ribs like a slowly tightening vice.

"You may have just become their key."

The gods. The ones her mother had always warned her about in whispers, the ones that had vanished from this world centuries ago—locked away in a realm no mortal could reach.

And now, somehow, Zyra was the key to their return?

No. No.

She stepped back, shaking her head. "That's impossible."

Kieran didn't move, didn't blink. His stare was steady, piercing straight through her as if he were dissecting every piece of her being.

"Say that again," he murmured, "but with a little more conviction this time."

Zyra's fingers curled into fists. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I have nothing to do with the gods."

Kieran tilted his head, amused despite the tension crackling between them. "And yet, here you are."

The shadows around him stirred, shifting like restless creatures, drawn to him—obedient to him. He wasn't even trying to control them, and yet they clung to his presence like a second skin.

Something inside Zyra twisted at the sight.

Fate was cruel.

It had bound her, a celestial-born, to the Shadow King himself—her opposite in every way. A man made of night and ruin, whose very existence should have sent her instincts screaming in warning.

And yet…

She could feel the bond, deep in her core. The steady pull, the whisper of longing beneath her skin.

Zyra shoved it down. Fought it.

"Whether or not I am what you claim," she said, voice hard, "I don't belong here."

Kieran let out a low, humorless laugh. "No, little star. You belong to me."

The words sent a bolt of fury through her veins. "I am not yours."

His smirk was slow, deliberate. "And yet, you haven't stopped looking at me since you arrived."

Heat burned in her chest. Damn him.

Kieran leaned in, voice dropping into something quieter, more dangerous. "Deny the bond all you want, celestial, but it's already written into your very soul. And trust me—" his fingers brushed her chin, lifting it slightly, forcing her to meet his gaze— "I have no intention of letting you go."

She jerked away, her breathing unsteady.

"Then you're a fool."

Kieran exhaled sharply, as if she were the exhausting one here, before turning away and stalking back toward his throne. The shadows recoiled, shifting and twisting as he moved through them, parting at his command.

He sat once more, his expression unreadable.

Zyra's pulse pounded.

She needed to get out of here.

Every second she remained in this place, she felt the noose tightening around her throat.

Think, Zyra.

She looked around, searching for any possible exits, but the walls were solid obsidian, the towering doors too far, too guarded. And even if she did make it that far, she had no doubt that Kieran could stop her before she even touched the handle.

But there was something she could use.

The bond.

She gritted her teeth. The very thought made her stomach churn, but she had no choice.

If she couldn't escape through Kieran, then she would escape because of him.

Taking a slow, careful breath, she turned back toward him—softening her gaze just enough.

Kieran's head tilted slightly, as if he sensed the shift, but he didn't speak.

Zyra stepped forward.

The tension in the room changed instantly.

Kieran's eyes darkened, the bond pulsing between them like a living, breathing thing.

Zyra ignored the way her heart hammered. She had always been a fighter, never one to deceive—but if that was the only way to get out of this, then she would wield it like a weapon.

She moved closer.

One step.

Two.

Kieran remained perfectly still, watching her with something dangerous, something unreadable.

Then she reached him.

Zyra placed her hands on the arms of his throne, leaning in just enough for the bond to pulse—for the energy between them to snap tight, electric.

Kieran's jaw tensed.

She could feel it. The way his entire body went rigid, the way his fingers flexed slightly, resisting the instinct to reach for her.

She was getting to him.

Good.

Zyra tilted her head, lowering her voice into something softer, something just above a whisper.

"You said I'm yours," she murmured. "Prove it."

A sharp inhale.

His eyes flared, his fingers twitching against the carved stone.

For a single moment, Zyra thought he might.

That he might pull her against him, that the bond would take over completely. And the second it did, the second he was distracted—she would strike.

But Kieran was faster.

In an instant, his hand was at her throat, not tight enough to choke, but firm enough to hold her in place.

Her pulse slammed against his palm.

Zyra froze.

Kieran's expression was unreadable, his eyes glowing with something ancient, knowing.

Then—a low chuckle.

A mocking, knowing chuckle.

His grip tightened slightly—not out of malice, but out of amusement. As if he had just won.

"Oh, celestial," he murmured, dragging his thumb along her pulse point, feeling the way it raced for him.

Zyra bit the inside of her cheek, willing herself to remain still.

Kieran's smirk deepened. "You're not the only one who knows how to use the bond."

And then—he released her.

Just like that.

The sudden loss of contact sent her reeling, her body betraying her with the absence of his touch.

Damn him. Damn him.

Zyra clenched her jaw, rage boiling in her veins.

Kieran leaned back, satisfied. "Try that again, little star, and you won't like how it ends."

She hated him.

Hated the way he could see through her so easily. Hated the way he controlled this situation like he was already three steps ahead of her.

She had to get out.

Had to find a way to sever the bond—if that was even possible.

Kieran stood, stretching as if he had all the time in the world, then turned toward the towering doors.

"I'd suggest you rest while you can," he said, his tone almost casual. "Tomorrow, I'll show you exactly what it means to be Starforged."

Then, with a flick of his wrist, the shadows rose—and Zyra watched in horror as the floor beneath her vanished into nothingness.

The last thing she saw before the darkness swallowed her whole was Kieran's smirk.

And then—blackness.

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