Flame Palace · Royal Chamber Secret Sanctuary
Dawn's flame light filtered through heavy gold-threaded curtains, spreading a crimson hue across the hall.
Lucian sat alone before the Soul Seal Stone, his half-naked upper body carved with muscles, marked by scars of war and time.
His left hand hovered over the seal stone, fingertips trembling slightly.
The soul seal, once pressed, would seal the king's decree: Knox would become the "Flame Soul Heir," receiving the fire seal coronation—and with it, the Cracked Moon's pursuit and devouring.
He slowly closed his eyes.
Echoing in his ears were not the envoy's threats, nor the ministers' petitions, but Ilea's whispered words as she trembled beneath him that night—
"If you hand him over, I'll kill you with my own hands."Fire and Lust TideThe palace door suddenly burst open, and Ilea stormed in.
She wore the upper half of her flame knight armor, with only a dark red battle skirt around her waist, her entire figure like a descending blaze.
She said nothing, only strode toward Lucian and pressed him backward onto the throne.
"You're going to seal the soul?" she gritted out.
"Tell me—for whom?"
Lucian looked up, his gaze dark and cold, yet he did not push her away.
She straddled his thighs, legs clamping around his waist.
A longsword in her hand pressed against his neck, its coldness seeping to the bone, but her body burned hot against his.
Lucian reached out, gripping the back of her neck, and murmured:
"If I seal it, he dies. But if I don't, we both die."
Ilea's eyes glistened with moisture, yet she did not flinch.
She moved slowly, letting his stiff desire be firmly wrapped by her, sinking deep inch by inch.
To cut ties was too easy; to live as a blade was far harder.
They tangled in the firelight, anger and lust merging into one. It was a pull between fate and passion, her final act of rebellion.
"Don't use him to prop up your false throne."
Lucian growled: "This is what the throne was always meant to face—do you think you can bear it for me?"
He flipped her over, his thrusts heavy as wildfire, each impact seeming to burn the decision into their bones.
Until she screamed out, nails tearing at his scarred back, another climax igniting within her.Heavenly Fire SealMoments later, Lucian stood, - chested, and walked to the Soul Seal Stone.
Ilea leaned against the throne, sweat and love fluids still warm on her skin, but her gaze was cold as a blade's edge.
He did not look at her, only said flatly:
"I will seal the soul."
"But not on Knox."
The soul seal pressed down, and flame light trembled.
The one bound by the covenant—not the prince, not any heir, but Lucian·Flame Lord himself.
"I let the Cracked Moon come for me, not him."Shadow SurgeAt the same time, in the dense forest outside the Flame Palace, a silver-haired man emerged slowly from the shadows.
Murka watched the distant firelight, sneering:
"He thinks sealing himself will stop the Cracked Moon from moving against the child?"
Behind him, a figure wrapped in dark flame chains stood slowly.
The Cracked Moon King's Second Successor Soul—Lilos—had finally awakened.
"Go. Seize the flame blood, shatter the flame heart."
"The prince is our key."Epilogue: The Line Between Loyalty and BetrayalThat night, Ilea stood alone at the highest tower of the Flame Palace, red hair whipping in the wind.
She stared at the distant night sky, murmuring:
"Who should I protect?"
Footsteps sounded behind her—Tal appeared, his voice low:
"A knight's sword should never waver."
She did not turn, only drove her longsword slowly into the stone brick at her feet.
It was a mark, a declaration.
"If he falls, I burn with him."