CHAPTER 3:SHACKLES OF FATE

The dungeons of Vaeloria were cold, damp, and suffocating with the stench of iron and old blood. The torches along the stone walls flickered weakly, casting long shadows over the narrow corridors.

Kael Draven lay against the rough floor of his cell, his hands bound in heavy chains. A dull ache throbbed at the back of his head where the soldier's blow had struck him, but the pain was secondary to the rage simmering in his chest.

Seraphina had been taken.

His jaw clenched as he tested the chains around his wrists. They were reinforced with binding runes, glowing faintly under the dim light—enchanted to suppress strength.

Of course. Cedric Valerius was no fool.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor. Kael lifted his head as a figure approached—cloak billowing, a crown glinting under the torchlight.

King Aldric.

The king stopped just beyond the cell bars, his expression impassive. "You are a persistent thorn, Kael Draven."

Kael let out a dry chuckle. "And you are a blind king."

Aldric's eyes darkened. "You do not belong here. You never did."

Kael met his gaze without fear. "Neither does your daughter in Zephirion's hands."

A flicker of emotion passed through the king's features—guilt? No, anger.

"The empire offers peace through unity," Aldric said coldly. "Seraphina will wed Emperor Darius, and Vaeloria will remain standing."

Kael's lips curled in disdain. "You would trade her freedom for a false treaty?"

Aldric's patience snapped. "Enough." His voice was laced with steel. "Seraphina is not yours to save. She is my daughter, and she will do her duty."

Kael's fists tightened against his restraints. "And if she refuses?"

The king did not answer. He turned sharply and strode away, leaving Kael alone in the darkness.

But Kael knew the truth now.

Seraphina's fate had already been decided. Unless…

The Caged Princess

Seraphina stood before her father's throne, her heart pounding. The court had been dismissed. Only King Aldric and Lord Cedric Valerius remained, their gazes heavy upon her.

"You should not have left the palace," her father said, his tone betraying the exhaustion in his voice.

Seraphina did not waver. "And you should not ignore the truth."

Cedric scoffed. "The truth, Your Highness, is that you were found in the company of a traitor."

Seraphina's glare was sharp as a blade. "Kael is not a traitor. He came to warn us."

"And yet he is in chains."

A wave of frustration rose within her. "You think locking him away will silence what he uncovered? The empire does not seek peace, Father. They seek submission."

King Aldric exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples. "Enough, Seraphina. The betrothal will proceed as planned. Zephirion must see that we honor our word."

Seraphina's blood ran cold. "And what of Vaeloria? When Darius takes me, what stops him from taking the kingdom next?"

Silence.

Her father's silence was her answer.

Seraphina felt something inside her break.

She had spent her entire life being the obedient daughter, the future queen who would uphold duty above all else. But what was duty worth when it meant surrendering her people to a tyrant?

She straightened her spine. "I will not marry him."

Aldric's eyes flashed. "You will."

"No."

The king slammed his fist against the armrest. "You do not have a choice!"

Seraphina held her ground. "Then neither do you."

A tense pause filled the room.

"What are you saying?" Cedric's voice was low, wary.

Seraphina took a breath. "If you force this marriage, I will renounce my claim to the throne."

Aldric stiffened. "You would not dare."

She lifted her chin. "Try me."

The king's fury was a storm barely restrained, but Cedric stepped forward, a calculating look in his eyes.

"My king," Cedric murmured, "perhaps the princess only needs… persuasion."

Seraphina's stomach turned at the wicked glint in his eyes.

"I will never submit," she swore.

Cedric smirked. "We shall see."

The Escape

Kael had spent years as a soldier. He knew how to read battlefields—and right now, he was in one.

The guards had changed shifts. A single soldier now stood at the entrance to the dungeon—a younger recruit, likely inexperienced.

Perfect.

Kael flexed his wrists, testing the enchanted cuffs. The magic in them was strong, but magic had limits.

Closing his eyes, he focused on the metal—on its weight, its heat. Magic was a force, but it could be broken with greater force.

He willed his strength forward.

A sudden crack split the air as the runes on his cuffs flickered—then shattered. The bindings fell away.

Kael surged to his feet.

The guard barely had time to react before Kael grabbed him, slamming him against the stone wall. The young man gasped, his weapon clattering to the floor.

"Sleep," Kael muttered before knocking him unconscious.

Taking the soldier's cloak and dagger, Kael slipped into the corridors. He needed to reach Seraphina—before it was too late.

A Promise in the Dark

Seraphina sat in her chamber, the weight of the night pressing upon her. Her father would never let her go.

A soft rustling by the window made her freeze.

Then, a familiar voice.

"We need to leave. Now."

Her breath caught. "Kael?"

He stepped into the moonlight, his gray eyes fierce. "There's no time. The empire's envoy arrives at dawn. If we stay, you will never be free."

Seraphina's pulse raced. "And if we run?"

Kael's expression darkened. "Then we fight."

A hundred thoughts clashed in her mind. Duty, honor, the kingdom… her people.

But then she looked at him—the man who had always protected her, who had risked everything to save her again.

Her heart chose before her mind could.

"Then let's go," she whispered.

Kael extended his hand. She took it.

And together, they disappeared into the night.

To Be Continued…