The thing in the shadows…
…was breathing.
Seraphina didn't move.
Didn't scream.
Didn't run.
Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
Slowly… carefully…
She stepped forward.
The blood beneath her feet was still warm.
Another breath echoed from the corner.
Heavier this time.
Closer.
"Show yourself," she said quietly.
Silence.
Then—
A shift.
A figure dragged itself slightly into the faint candlelight.
Seraphina's breath caught—
Not in fear.
But in shock.
A man.
Or what remained of one.
His body was torn.
Not clean cuts.
Not wounds from a blade.
No.
This was…
Something else.
His chest rose weakly, blood spilling from his lips as he tried to speak.
"…p-prin—"
His voice broke.
Seraphina dropped to her knees beside him without thinking, her hands hovering just above his body, unsure where to touch without causing more damage.
"Who did this?" she demanded softly.
His eyes trembled.
Fear filled them.
Real fear.
And then—
He looked past her.
At something behind her.
His entire body shook.
"…h-him…"
Seraphina froze.
Slowly…
She turned.
And the door creaked open.
Prince Kael stepped inside.
Calm.
Collected.
Untouched by the horror in the room.
His gaze moved from the dying man…
To Seraphina.
And for a moment—
Neither of them spoke.
Then—
Kael walked forward.
Unbothered.
Unhurried.
He stopped beside them, looking down at the man like he was nothing more than a stain on the floor.
"You shouldn't be here," he said.
The man let out a broken sound, reaching weakly toward Seraphina.
"Please—"
Kael didn't even blink.
His boot pressed down—
Firm.
On the man's throat.
The sound that followed was brief.
Wet.
Final.
Silence returned.
Seraphina's chest rose slowly as she stared at Kael.
"You killed him."
It wasn't a question.
Kael met her gaze.
Unapologetic.
"He was already dead," he replied calmly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"No," she said quietly.
"You didn't want him to speak."
Something flickered in his expression.
Gone in an instant.
"Smart," he murmured.
Then—
His eyes dropped.
To her hands.
Blood.
His gaze darkened slightly.
Without warning—
He reached for her wrist.
Pulled her up.
Hard enough to make her breath hitch.
"You shouldn't touch things you don't understand," he said, his voice lower now.
Closer.
Seraphina looked up at him.
Too close again.
Too aware.
"And you shouldn't keep secrets that bleed into my chambers," she replied.
A pause.
Then—
Something shifted.
Kael's grip didn't loosen.
If anything—
It tightened slightly.
His gaze dropped.
To her lips.
Again.
This time—
He didn't look away.
"Careful," he whispered,
"you're starting to sound like you have power here."
"And what if I do?" she asked softly.
That did it.
Something dark snapped behind his eyes.
He stepped closer—
Their bodies nearly touching now.
"You don't," he said.
"But I'd like to see you try."
The tension between them thickened.
Sharp.
Electric.
Dangerous.
For a second—
It felt like something might happen.
Something reckless.
Something neither of them should allow.
But then—
A voice cut in.
"My prince."
They broke apart instantly.
Alaric stood at the doorway.
And this time—
He saw everything.
The closeness.
The tension.
The way Kael still held her wrist.
Something dark passed through his eyes.
"I see I've interrupted," he said slowly.
Kael released her immediately.
Too quickly.
"You have," Kael replied coldly.
Alaric stepped inside, his gaze moving to the body on the floor.
Then back to Seraphina.
"…you should not be exposed to this," he said, softer now.
Almost concerned.
Seraphina met his gaze.
"I think I already am."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I suppose you are."
Kael's jaw tightened again.
"Leave," he ordered.
Alaric didn't move immediately.
Instead—
He stepped slightly closer to Seraphina.
Just enough.
"If anything troubles you, my queen…" he said quietly,
"…you don't have to face it alone."
Silence.
The meaning behind those words was clear.
Too clear.
Seraphina didn't respond.
But Kael did.
"Get out."
This time—
It wasn't calm.
Alaric held his gaze for a moment longer…
Then left.
But not before giving Seraphina one last look.
And this time—
Kael saw it fully.
The door shut.
Silence returned.
Heavier than before.
Kael turned to her slowly.
"Stay away from him."
The command was sharp.
Immediate.
Seraphina tilted her head slightly.
"Or what?" she asked.
A mistake.
He stepped forward again.
Fast.
Too fast.
His hand caught her chin again—
Firmer this time.
More possessive.
"Or I will remind you," he said quietly,
"who you belong to."
Her breath hitched.
But her eyes didn't drop.
"I don't belong to anyone,"