Shackles

Valencia gasped, holding her breath as she stared at Kael’s eyes. Kael suddenly burst into laughter as he pecked a kiss on her forehead. She squeaked, slapping her forehead.

“What’s wrong? I wouldn’t mind if you need stabilizing, too…” Kael stated. Valencia’s jaw tightened. “I would prefer you initiating the intimacy anyway.”

His eyes softened as he pulled her head to his chest and hugged her warmly. She stiffened as her eyes dazed. Kael chuckled faintly as he tightened his jaw.

“Lord…?”

“My apologies… I just want to make sure you understand that I want to protect you. My chest felt uneasy at the moment.”

Valencia’s gaze moved to the dagger that she had used. A void that would have swallowed her soon was enlightened by the warmth of Kael’s uneasiness. The heaviness that had held her null for many years soon vanished. She closed her eyes peacefully before she slumbered in his arms.

Soon, Kael carried her out of the Magic Tower. Eldrich watched them as he flicked his finger, making them disappear magically into Kael’s dukedom. Kael placed her down gently on the bed and stared at her.

“You’re always on guard… what is it that you’re afraid of? Will you be able to tell me when you finally trust me?” Kael whispered. Then he pecked a kiss on her forehead. A goodnight kiss. He walked to his study room.

“Lord Kael…” Detri entered.

“Did you alert them to return?”

“Yes, they will bring the carriage back.”

Kael took a deep breath, staring at the papers on his desk.

“What is Father up to?” he wondered.

Detri lowered his head, tightening his fist.

“Dealing with His Majesty…”

Kael chuckled as he tilted his head.

“Why? Because of the Prince?”

“Yes… he requested a chance to bind with Lady Elyane.”

Kael slammed his hand onto the table abruptly. Then he stood as his chin raised, adjusting his blazer.

“Let him continue all he wants…” Kael stated. Detri froze, his eyes darting to Kael’s face. Kael looked at Detri coldly, unreadable. He smirked. “Our little lady was already one step ahead and requested a binding link.”

Detri’s hand slipped from his knee.

“Requested? You agreed to it?” Detri asked, shocked.

Kael furrowed his brows and frowned.

“What’s so shocking about it?”

“Everything. You refused to return to be our commander… now you’re binding yourself with a lady you never met—”

“Detri…” Kael called coldly. Detri straightened his back and looked at Kael. “I need her. In fact, I haven’t felt at peace for over eight years until I met her.”

“Lord Kael…”

“Her touch stabilizes me, and it’s more stabilizing than… the guide that died eight years ago for me.”

Detri bit his lower lip and bowed.

“She did her best…”

“She did… at least, she managed to get rid of the headaches…” Kael smiled faintly, tears covering his eyes.

“What happened to her wasn’t your fault, Lord Kael. If only—”

“We can never blame the royal family… or else our lives will be dealt heavily. If only I hadn’t offered her solace in the name of Izekiah… would she have lived peacefully like any other guides?”

Detri sighed in frustration, lowering his gaze until—

A shadow.

Detri turned his head sharply to the door. He ran to open the door and looked both sides of the hallway. Kael stared at Detri and observed the hallway.

“Is everything alright?” Kael asked.

Detri shook his head.

“I thought I felt… a presence here a moment ago…” Detri answered.

Kael looked at both sides. He raised his hand. A small bright light flickered at the tip of his fingernail. He tossed one to each side of the hallway to seek any presence—

Nothing.

“There’s nothing… get back inside before you wake her up,” Kael ordered.

As Detri nodded and closed the door after, their voices muffled. A presence by the end of the hallway, where Valencia stayed.

She covered her mouth as her Void powers shielded her. She panted as she waited for another minute before she slumped to the ground.

“Did that mean… the Guide was never compatible with you in the end?” Valencia wondered. Her brows creased. “What is going on? The more I know, the less I understand…”

Two dark hands slowly appeared behind her, yanking her into a portal… a path to nothingness.

Valencia shrieked as she fell to her knees.

The shadow.

“Vrastos?” Valencia called.

The shadow cackled as it leaned closer to her face.