Chapter 34 :A Dangerous Revelation

The night after their intimate moment under the full moon, the air between Kael and Aria was thicker than ever. The tension was palpable, both of them barely able to look each other in the eye, as if the weight of unspoken words and emotions loomed over them like a storm waiting to break.

The moon's light had faded, but the warmth from their shared closeness lingered in the room like a fire that wouldn't go out. Aria lay on her side of the bed, her back turned to Kael, but she could feel his presence beside her. His warmth, his breath, the heavy silence that stretched between them—it was almost suffocating.

Aria's mind raced. Did last night mean anything to him? She asked herself over and over, unable to find an answer. She had been afraid of this moment. Afraid of how the silence felt more oppressive than words ever could. She didn't want to be rejected again, not after everything they had shared. But the question still gnawed at her: What does Kael feel?

Beside her, Kael was just as tangled in his thoughts. He had always kept his emotions locked away, a fortress built around the pain of his past, his curse, and the belief that no one would ever be able to truly understand him. But Aria… she was different. He felt a pull toward her that he couldn't explain. A connection he couldn't break, no matter how much he tried to keep her at arm's length. Her presence had become a constant ache, and it terrified him.

He could feel her every movement, every shift in the bed, like a spark igniting inside him. He couldn't pretend to be unaffected. He wasn't sure if it was the bond that had formed between them during their fight or something more. He had tried to convince himself that what had happened was a mistake, but deep down, he knew it wasn't.

Kael sat up, swinging his legs off the bed and running a hand through his messy hair. His heart hammered in his chest, and he felt a strange sense of unease. He had spent centuries keeping his distance from everyone, convincing himself that he was better off alone. But Aria… she had shattered that wall in a way he couldn't ignore.

Aria watched him from the corner of her eye, her chest tightening. She wanted to reach out, to say something, but the words were stuck in her throat. It wasn't just fear of rejection anymore—it was fear of the unknown. She had never allowed herself to feel this vulnerable, and yet, with Kael, it felt like she was standing on the edge of something dangerous. Something wonderful, yet terrifying.

Kael turned back to her, his voice low and strained. "Aria…" He hesitated, his eyes searching hers for something. What? What am I looking for?

"Kael…" Her voice cracked as she spoke his name, and she immediately wished she hadn't. The last thing she wanted was for him to see how much she was affected by him. She wasn't sure how much more of this emotional turmoil she could handle.

"I don't know what this is," Kael said, his tone rough. "I can't keep pretending that I don't feel something when I look at you." He stood up, pacing a few steps before stopping in front of her. "But I can't… I can't promise you anything, Aria."

She wanted to scream, to tell him that she wasn't asking for promises, but the words stuck in her throat. All she wanted was to be close to him, to understand what they had shared. But Kael was right—he couldn't give her the answers she sought, not yet. Maybe not ever.

Before she could respond, a knock at the door shattered the fragile tension between them.

Kael's gaze hardened, and his body tensed as he moved swiftly toward the door. Aria's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected the intrusion so soon, and it only added to the weight of everything unsaid between her and Kael.

The door opened with a creak, and a shadowy figure stood in the doorway—Caleb.

"I need to speak with you," Caleb said, his voice low but urgent.

Kael's face darkened. "This isn't a good time, Caleb."

"I don't care," Caleb replied, his eyes flicking briefly to Aria, who was still sitting on the bed. "This concerns both of you."

Kael shot Aria a glance, his expression torn. "You should go. I'll be back shortly."

Aria stood, her legs trembling slightly, but she nodded. She could feel the air growing thicker with each passing moment, the tension between her and Kael like a tightening noose. She wasn't sure if it was Caleb's presence or the weight of their conversation that made it feel so suffocating.

She moved toward the door but paused, looking back at Kael. There was something in his eyes, something she couldn't quite place. Was it regret? Fear? Whatever it is, I can't keep doing this… She told herself.

"Kael, I…" She stopped herself. The words felt pointless now, like they wouldn't make any difference. She wasn't sure if she was speaking to him or to herself.

Kael didn't answer. His gaze was intense, but it was clear that he didn't have the answers she needed. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but the words died in his throat. He didn't know what to say. What could he say?

He clenched his fists, frustrated with himself, with the situation, with everything. He had never been this vulnerable in his life.

Aria stepped out of the room, her mind swirling with confusion. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she leaned against it, trying to steady her racing heartbeat. She had hoped that Kael would open up to her, that he would share the thoughts and feelings he had locked away for so long, but now she wasn't sure if she could take this anymore. The uncertainty, the tension—it was eating her alive.

Unbeknownst to her, as she stood there, Kael was still watching her through the crack in the door, torn between staying silent or calling her back.