Kael's eyes burned with intensity as I hesitated, my heart racing. Then I whispered softly, "Tonight... feels rushed. But tomorrow might be too late – why?" Kael's expression turned grave, his voice low and mysterious: "Because tomorrow, my family's enemy arrives at Midnight Academy... and they want you dead."He pulled me closer, lips brushing my ear:"Binding us tonight – protect you."
My mind reeled as I pulled back, eyes locked on Kael's intense gaze, "Who wants me dead? And why bind us – like marriage isn't protection enough?" Kael's jaw clenched, voice low and deadly, "Marriage binds hearts. Our kind needs... blood oath binding. To mark you as mine – their target becomes my destruction." He added softly, fingers tracing my jaw, "And I'd welcome that destruction – if it meant saving you."
My heart melted at his words, tears pricking my eyes, "No one's ever wanted to die for me... Why would you, Kael?" He stepped closer, a voice whispering against my lips, "Because in your eyes, I see forever – and without you, my eternity's meaningless." His fingers intertwined with mine, pulling my hand to his chest, "Feel my heart – it beats only for you now. Will you bind our lives... tonight?"
My fingers pressed against his heart, feeling its rapid beat for me, "Yes... tonight. But first – tell me, Kael... what exactly will binding us do?" Kael's eyes gleamed softly, his voice low and intimate, "Forever links our souls, shares my powers... and marks your skin – with my family's crest." He gently took my hand, tracing a finger over my wrist, "Here a crescent moon symbol will appear – signifying you're mine, protected by Blackwood blood oath." He looked up, eyes burning intensely, "And then, my love... you'll feel my heart in yours, my powers coursing through your veins..." His voice dropped to whisper, "Forever entwined – shall I make it official? Kiss me, and I'll seal our fate?"
My lips barely touched his, sparking electricity – then I whispered, "Seal it..." Kael's mouth claimed mine deeply, passion exploding – Suddenly, his lips traced a path to my wrist, gentle yet intense. A soft prick on my skin, then his lips pressed against the spot – My eyes widened as a crescent moon symbol glowed softly on my wrist! Kael's eyes locked onto mine, voice low and husky you're mine now. "Forever mine." I felt his heart beating in my chest, his powers coursing like electricity through my veins. My eyes met his, voice barely audible, "I feel you... everywhere inside me." Kael's face leaned in closer, lips brushing my ear: "Exactly where I want to stay – always. Do you feel my other gift too...?" He paused, eyes sparkling with intrigue, "Your senses – are they sharper now?"
I nodded slowly, amazed. "Everything's clearer... smells richer, sounds sharper – even your heartbeat louder." Kael smiled softly, eyes gleaming with delight: "My senses are yours now. And with them... my ability to sense danger – do you feel it too?" Suddenly, my skin prickled – I glanced around nervously: "Yes... something's watching us. Close." Kael's expression turned fierce: "My enemy – they've arrived earlier than expected. Stay close to me."
Kael wrapped his arms tightly around me, pulling me into the shadows. Whispers echoed through the darkness – eerie voices saying my name: "Her scent... matches the prophecy... 'Blackwood's heartmate – key to their downfall'." Kael's grip on me intensified, his lips brushing my ear, "They're from the Ravenwood clan – sworn enemies of my family for centuries." Suddenly, a figure emerged from darkness – piercing blue eyes fixed on me, "Kael Blackwood... surrender your heartmate – or watch your family burn."
Kael stepped forward, eyes blazing with fury, "Riven Ravenwood – you'll never touch her. My oath protects her... with my life." Riven sneered, drawing a dagger with an eerie blue glow, "Oaths end with blood – hers will seal your family's destruction. Choose, Kael... surrender her – or watch me slaughter everyone you love... starting with your mother." Kael's face twisted in rage, fists clenched – then he whispered to me, "Run. Now. Our bond will guide me to you." But I grabbed his arm, heart pounding, "No – I won't leave you. What if surrendering me... saves your family?"
Kael's eyes widened in horror, grasping my arms tightly, "Never suggest that again. Your life is worth more than all of ours combined." His voice cracked with emotion, lips brushing my ear, "Because of my love... I think I'm falling irreparably in love with you."Riven sneered loudly, interrupting us, "How touching. This love will be her funeral pyre – shall we begin the ceremony... tonight?"
Kael stepped forward, eyes blazing fury, "Tonight ends with your death, Riven – not hers. Leave now, or face my shadow wrath." Riven laughed menacingly, then vanished into darkness –But his voice echoed back, "Midnight Academy's masquerade ball – tomorrow night. Come alone, Kael... she'll be my gift to you." Kael spun to me, face pale with rage and fear: "They'll hurt you at that ball. We must leave the city – tonight – with my family's secret... and with you – my bonded heartmate – to a place where Ravenwoods dare not tread." He grasped my hands tightly, eyes burning with intensity, "My ancestral home – Blackwood Manor, hidden deep in Shadowwood Forest. Will you flee with me... and become my family's secret keeper, my love?" Suddenly, footsteps echoed – Kael's mother appeared, urgent: "Kael, we've been betrayed – Ravenwoods are already inside our estate... they're coming for HER. Kael, your father fights them off – but he's outnumbered." Kael's face twisted in anguish, he grabbed my arm tightly, "We must get you out – NOW. Mother, create a diversion – I'll take her through the hidden passage!" His mother nodded swiftly, then kissed my cheek, "Protect my son's heart – protect yourself. You're family now." Kael pulled me into a sprint – bullets shattered glass behind us –"Do you trust me?" he yelled above chaos.