Aria returned to her chambers after the morning sessions to prepare for the hunt. Her maids busied themselves around her—sorting her uniform, assisting with her bath, adjusting every detail with practiced precision.
As she stepped out of the bath, a familiar sensation prickled along her skin. A presence.
"Can we talk?" a whisper drifted through the air.
A small smile tugged at Aria's lips.
"I just need a moment alone," she said. The maids left at once without question.
"Come on, Icarus," Aria murmured, scanning the room. "Why are you playing hide-and-seek now?"
He appeared behind her, arms circling her waist, pulling her against him in a tight embrace. He bent low, face pressed into the curve of her neck, inhaling deeply as though memorizing her scent. The height difference forced him to stoop, but he didn't seem to care.
Aria closed her eyes, the familiar safety of him washing over her. Her fingers slid into his hair, gently stroking.
"What is it?" she asked softly.
For months now, she had sensed it—Icarus was hiding something. She believed they would tell her when the time was right.
But he didn't answer. He only held her, clinging as though the moment itself was slipping away. Then his gaze shifted—and landed on the faint marks left by Abigel along her skin.
His hand tightened on her hip, possessive, almost painful.
"Ouch… that hurts, my love," Aria whispered.
"Me too," he murmured.
Before she could respond, his lips brushed her neck—soft at first, a teasing lick that sent shivers racing down her spine. But the gentleness sharpened. The bite came swift.
Her gasp was smothered when he pressed his fingers against her lips.
A moan slipped from her lips. "Ahh…"
Icarus froze, breath catching at the sound. It was too sweet, too precious—something he wanted to keep forever.
Aria turned toward him and kissed him with sudden urgency, as though she needed to claim this moment before it vanished. Her hands tugged at his collar, pulling him down to her. Wet strands of hair clung to her hips, her gown sliding off her shoulder with careless grace.
Their mouths parted reluctantly, leaving only ragged breaths between them. Icarus pressed his forehead to hers, eyes closed as if savoring her warmth one last time.
"This is enough… You are enough for me," he whispered, the words heavy with something more than love.
Aria blinked up at him, puzzled. "What are you whispering?"
"Nothing, my love…" he said, forcing a faint smile while drowning in her blue eyes.
But then he stepped back, hesitation flickering in his gaze. "It's nearly time. I'll come back later."
Aria nodded, unaware of the way his chest tightened at the sight of her. And then—like a shadow dissolving into air—he was gone.
The next place Icarus went was Abigel's room.
He studied Abigel's bruised face, a smirk curling his lips.
"So… looks like you had quite the fall," Icarus said.
Abigel's gaze sharpened. "At least I didn't hide it. I took the blow, rather than covering it up with spells."
The smirk vanished. Icarus stepped closer, his voice low and edged. "Who said I used spells? Why would I need to—when she was mine to begin with?"
He towered over Abigel, looking down on him.
But Abigel didn't shrink away. His voice was steady, defiant. "I will never claim her. I'll let her claim me—use me as she wishes. But I will never hide."
Icarus's expression flickered. He drew in a slow breath, then exhaled. "I know," he admitted. His eyes darkened. "That's why I let you live."
Abigel turned and walked toward the window, his profile lit by the morning sun. "So… are you planning to take it?"
"I can't," Icarus said after a beat. "Only she can."
Abigel's jaw tightened. "That means she'll have to face life or death."
"Yes." Icarus's voice dropped to a whisper, almost a growl. He took another step forward. "And you—you need to be stronger. Strong enough to pull her out of the madness when the time comes."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air.
Then the great bell tolled, its sound reverberating through the walls—a summons for all to gather at the hunting grounds.
Their eyes met once more, two men bound by the same woman, by love, and now by the shadow of what was coming.