Even as fury burned in Eliora's chest, even as the memory of flames swallowing her village haunted her, another emotion warred inside her, one she despised far more than her anger.
She yearned for him.
For the strange, calming warmth that washed over her when he was near. For the intoxicating feel of his touch, and she hated herself for it.
She hated that her heart reacted to him before her mind could protest. She hated that she was drawn to the Beast King, helplessly, despite everything she believed he had taken from her.
She had no control over this pull, this traitorous longing that made her feel weak.
Just then, his roar ripped through the air. It echoed again. And again.
Eliora froze. The sound vibrated through her bones so hard she struggled to breathe.
Without thinking, she rose to her feet and grabbed a shawl from Maelina's table, pulling it over her hair. Her hands trembled, but her legs moved on their own.
She had to find him.
She shouldn't. She knew that. She should stay far away from the beast who destroyed her life, but she had no power over her will.
She slipped out of Maelina's chamber into the corridor, only to find utter chaos.
Servants sprinted for safety, some crying. Human pushed others aside in panic. Even some of the beasts were retreating, their eyes wide with fear.
When they noticed her heading the opposite way, they shouted, "Hey! Run! The king, he's losing control!"
"He's breaking through the palace walls, you can't go there!"
But their warnings fell on deaf ears.
"Girl, are you mad? Go the other way!"
Her feet didn't stop. Every roar he made felt like he was calling specifically to her and Eliora found herself doing the last thing any sane person would do.
Instead of running away from the monster, she ran straight to him.
The corridor opened into the vast training field and Eliora stopped in her steps.
There was destruction everywhere. Buildings were dismantled and the ground itself ripped open like a wound.
A man she recognized now as Commander Aldric, towering and broad, was on his knees, blood dripping from a wound on his chest.
Several soldiers lay unconscious. Even Maelina and a circle of royal seers were coughing blood, drained to the bones.
Before Eliora could react, Zarek's head snapped towards her. He had caught her scent. He let out a roar so powerful the ground shook.
Aldric quickly rose to his feet, shouting across the field, "Run! Girl, run!"
She didn't. Her body refused to listen.
As he tried to reach her, Maelina grabbed his arm. "No. Let her," she rasped. "This… this might be our only chance to save them both."
Aldric sighed, then nodded reluctantly.
One heartbeat Zarek was several yards away and the next, he was right in front of her, his eyes glowing red.
His claws were fully extended, fangs long and sharp, his back covered in thick scale-like skin. He look like a creature wrestling with itself.
Eliora's breath hitched, but she wasn't scared. Before she could second guess it, she touched his face and he stilled.
His skin was cold.
A beast in full rage should have turned fully animal by now, but Zarek hadn't. He stayed half-human because of her or because of his curse. Not one being knew his the King's true beast form.
Slowly, he leaned in, his breath touching her neck. Then with surprising gentleness for a creature capable of ripping buildings apart, he dipped his head and caught her scarf between his fangs.
He tugged the fabric free, making it fall to the floor, revealing her hair. Zarek stilled as he stared at the beauty she was.
A collective gasp came from around the field. Seers. Soldiers. Generals. Even Aldric, battered and wounded, froze in open shock.
Only Maelina remained composed. She had seen Eliora's face before, but the others, they stared like they were witnessing the unveiling of something sacred.
Her beauty struck them silent.
Zarek's reaction was immediate. A deep and territorial growl left his lips. He stepped closer, placing himself between Eliora and the watching eyes as if to shield her from their admiration.
His clawed thumb went down her cheek, tracing the line of her jaw. Then he bent his head and lowered his face to her throat, right where the mark was.
He inhaled, a shudder rolling through him. His other hand slid to her waist. He touched her everywhere possible, her face, her wrist, her hair, as though reassuring himself she was real.
Eliora's breath hitched, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she lifted her fingers and caressed his arm.
That was all it took.
The raging aura around him softened. His beast, which wad unstoppable moments ago, went strangely still.
The seers lowered their hands. Aldric stared speechlessly. Even the soldiers watched with wide eyes.
Slowly, the scales across Zarek's body began to retract, but his fangs remained.
"Mine." He nuzzled closer, inhaling her again. "Mine."
Then without warning, he lifted her, holding her close to his chest.
Eliora's breath hitched. She should have struggled, but she didn't because for the first time in days, the burning fever inside her eased.
Without a word to the others, he turned and walked away from the devastated field.
Beasts and humans alike parted like a tide, making sure to bow their head. They were too stunned to even whisper.
The king carried his soulmate through the passageway. Every few steps, he would glance down at her, as if afraid she might disappear.
Eliora kept her gaze lowered, unable to meet his eyes. He reached a door and pushed it open with one hand; the private wing of the palace.
His wing.
He didn't take her into his room. Instead, he took her to the room directly opposite his. With the same impossible gentleness he had shown on the field, he lowered her onto the large bed, his hand lingering round her waist until he was certain she was okay.
Only then did she realize that his fangs were gone. His eyes changed from red to their usual golden colour.
He was back in control. He knelt beside the bed, chest rising and falling with uneven breaths, as though fighting the remnants of his beast.
Eliora's heart raced as she stared at him, this man, the king who terrified the world, kneeling in front of her.
Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
"Your Majesty?"
He lifted his head and as he did, his eyes searched hers, looking hungry and conflicted, but he didn't touch her again.
He took in a deep breath, fighting the urge to claim her right there. Then hoarsely, he said,
"Stay."