"Third point of view"
Lyra had never known fear like this.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as she stared up at the throne of bones. The demoness—clad in silken chains and fire—forged armor—trailed her clawed fingers across Sebastian's exposed chest. His head hung low, breath shallow, but he was alive.
Barely.
"You're not worthy to touch him," Lyra spat.
The demoness smirked. "Ah, the favorite. The warrior. His little blade."
Lyra drew that very blade, its edge singing with rage. "Give him back, or I'll take your wings."
"Such venom," the demoness purred. "You'll need it. If you wish to save your king… you'll have to pass the Seduction Trials."
The throne room melted away into smoke. Lyra's vision spun, and when it cleared, she stood alone—except she wasn't herself.
She wore nothing but golden chains around her chest and hips. Her body was on display, glowing under crimson moonlight, her skin bathed in oil. Her sword was gone.
She turned, and there he was.
Sebastian—alive, unbound, and burning with the same dark power that had once killed him. But his eyes were empty, devoid of memory.
"You again," he murmured, eyes dragging over her body. "Another illusion."
"I'm real!" Lyra shouted.
He tilted his head, stalking toward her. "Prove it."
Before she could speak, he gripped her chin. His hand was warm, his scent overwhelming—incense and ash. Her legs trembled. Her body reacted before her mind could catch up.
This isn't him, she told herself. This is the demon's game.
But when his lips brushed her throat, she gasped.
"Your heart races for me," he murmured. "Even now."
Lyra reached up to strike—but her hand trembled.
"Do you remember the fire?" he asked, voice like smoke. "The night you knelt before me and begged me not to die?"
Her breath caught. "Yes."
"Then kiss me," he whispered. "Or I'll disappear again."
She faltered.
Every instinct screamed this was a trap.
But the part of her that had loved him—craved him—ached to touch him again.
Her hands rose to his face. She pulled him in.
Their lips met.
At first, it was gentle.
Then it devoured.
He lifted her effortlessly, wrapping her legs around his waist as they collided. Her chains jingled softly against his chest, her breath caught between moans and disbelief. His kiss burned through her thoughts like wildfire. His fingers slid along her back, pulling her tighter, firmer—
Until her hand found the mark.
The brand on his spine.
It flared violently.
Sebastian screamed, tossing her back like lightning.
Lyra hit the ground, coughing smoke. The illusion shattered.
The demoness reappeared, clapping slowly. "Well done. You chose desire over reason. Lust over fear. But you failed."
Lyra seethed. "He remembered me."
"He reacted to you," the demoness corrected. "You fed the flame—but failed to seize control."
"Let me try again!"
"You had your trial. Now it's the next's turn."
The ground cracked beneath her.
Lyra was gone.
---
Ravyn appeared in a temple of endless candles, each flame dancing with moans.
She stood, naked but veiled in glowing runes, as Sebastian emerged from the dark—this time draped in shadows, his eyes fully red.
"A trick," Ravyn whispered. "But I'll play."
He appeared before her without a sound.
"Ravyn," he purred. "You always wanted power… Why didn't you take me?"
Her smirk returned. "Because you never let me win."
He smirked in kind. "Win me now."
She didn't wait.
Ravyn pulled him into a kiss laced with thunder. Her lips sparked against his, and her nails dug into his skin with hunger. He groaned into her mouth, gripping her waist.
Their bodies melted into one motion.
She pushed him against a pillar of black crystal, lips trailing down his chest. She whispered ancient spells as she moved, her breath tickling his skin.
He trembled. "You remember the night I nearly gave in?"
"I do. And I'll make you regret stopping."
She sank to her knees—
Then stabbed him with her magic.
Sebastian roared, eyes flaring violet.
The illusion burst apart, casting her back into darkness.
The demoness returned. "Close. You tried to dominate him. But in doing so, you proved you still fear him."
Ravyn snarled. "I never feared him."
"No," the demoness said, "but you feared loving him."
Ravyn's eyes flickered with uncertainty—then she was gone.
---
Astra's trial was different.
She stood not before Sebastian—but before a shattered mirror.
In each shard, a different version of him appeared.
One weeping, One laughing, One burning,One dead.
"You studied his fate more than anyone," the demoness said. "Let's see what you do with it."
From behind her, Sebastian stepped out—naked, unguarded, his chest still bearing the faint glow of the crown.
"I'm tired, Astra," he said. "Can't you just end me?"
She approached carefully, placing a hand on his cheek.
"You died once to protect us," she whispered. "I won't let that be the end of your story."
He looked at her, eyes flickering. "What if I want it to end?"
She pressed her lips to his slowly.
The moment crackled with a different kind of heat—one born of reverence.
But the mirror behind him cracked.
One of the shards flew forward—impaling his back.
He collapsed in her arms, bleeding shadows.
The demoness clapped again. "So close. But you pitied him. You didn't desire him."
Astra vanished without a word.
---
Then it was Serena's turn. Sweet, shy Serena.
She was dressed in white lace, tied to the post of a royal bed.
Sebastian stood over her, shirtless, eyes glowing faintly. "Serena."
She trembled.
"You remember our kiss," he said softly. "The one you said was a mistake." She nodded.
"Do you regret it?"
"No," she whispered.
"Then show me you're mine."
Tears slid down her cheeks as she reached for him.
"Please," she whispered, voice cracking. "Please come back. I love you. I always did."
He hesitated.
Touched her hand.
His eyes began to clear—
Then the demoness appeared, furious.
"No!"
Sebastian looked around, confused. "Serena?"
Serena screamed as the illusion exploded around her.
---
All four women reappeared at the foot of the bone throne, gasping, shivering, sweat-soaked.
The demoness was furious. Her wings were aflame.
"You were all so close. Yet so flawed."
Behind her, Sebastian groaned.
He was waking up.
The crown's glow was unstable—cracking, leaking sparks of forbidden magic.
His eyes fluttered open.
And then—he spoke.
"…Lyra."
Everyone was surprised..
The demoness's eyes was widened.
Sebastian raised his head slowly, Then he smiled.
And the entire throne room exploded in crimson flame.
---
[