The castle was quiet that night.
Too quiet.
Elena stood on the balcony outside her chamber, the cold wind brushing against her skin. The moon hung high in the sky, casting silver light across the dark kingdom that belonged to the man she had married.
The Dark Lord.
Kael.
She still couldn't believe it sometimes.
A few weeks ago, she had been nothing more than a girl sold in an auction.
Now she was standing in the most feared castle in the continent… wearing his ring.
Her fingers brushed the ring unconsciously.
Warm.
Just like the strange power that had awakened inside her earlier.
"You should not stand outside alone."
His deep voice came from behind her.
Elena turned.
Kael stepped out onto the balcony.
He wore black again, the long coat moving slightly in the wind. His silver eyes were calm, but there was always something dangerous hidden inside them.
"You walk very quietly," Elena said.
"I wasn't hiding."
He walked closer.
"But you were thinking too loudly."
She smiled slightly.
"Is that a power of the Dark Lord too?"
"No."
He stopped in front of her.
"It is a power of a husband who is worried about his wife."
Her heart skipped.
Kael didn't say things like that often.
And when he did… it always felt too intense.
Elena looked away slightly.
"I'm fine."
"You were attacked yesterday."
"I'm still fine."
Kael stepped closer.
Too close.
"Elena."
She looked up.
His hand suddenly reached forward, gripping the railing beside her and trapping her between his arm and the stone barrier.
Her breath caught.
"You keep saying you are fine," he murmured.
His face was only inches away.
"But I can feel your heart racing."
Her cheeks warmed.
"That's because you're standing too close."
"Am I?"
His voice was low.
Dangerously calm.
Elena tried to move slightly but his arm blocked her.
"Kael…"
"Yes?"
"You're doing that thing again."
"What thing?"
"That thing where you pretend you don't know exactly what you're doing."
His lips curved faintly.
For a feared warlord… that small smile was unfairly attractive.
"Perhaps," he said quietly.
His other hand slowly brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
Elena's breath grew uneven.
"You are very beautiful tonight."
Her heart pounded harder.
"You say that often."
"Because it remains true."
The wind blew gently, lifting her hair around them.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Elena whispered softly,
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Kael's gaze darkened.
"Because I am losing patience."
Her eyes widened.
"Patience… with what?"
"With myself."
Before she could ask what he meant—
Kael pulled her suddenly against his chest.
Elena gasped softly as her hands instinctively pressed against his shoulders.
"Kael—"
"You have no idea," he said quietly near her ear, "how difficult it is to stay away from you."
Her pulse thundered.
His hand moved to the back of her neck, holding her gently but firmly.
His thumb brushed her cheek.
"Elena."
His voice was softer now.
"If I kiss you again…"
Her heart stopped.
"…I may not stop."
The words sent heat through her entire body.
She looked up at him slowly.
"You already kissed me before."
"That was restraint."
"And now?"
His silver eyes burned.
"Now I am running out of it."
The tension between them became almost unbearable.
Elena could feel his heartbeat against her.
Strong.
Steady.
Real.
She whispered quietly,
"Then maybe… you should stop talking."
Something in Kael's expression broke.
The last thread of restraint snapped.
He pulled her closer and kissed her.
This time it wasn't gentle.
It was deep.
Intense.
Like all the emotions he had been holding back finally escaped.
Elena clutched his coat as the kiss deepened, her heart racing wildly.
Kael's hand slid to her waist, pulling her firmly against him.
For a moment the world disappeared.
The cold night.
The castle.
The war.
None of it mattered.
Only the two of them.
When the kiss finally ended, Elena's breathing was uneven.
Kael rested his forehead lightly against hers.
His voice was rough.
"You are dangerous."
She blinked softly.
"Me?"
"Yes."
His thumb brushed her lips slowly.
"You make the Dark Lord lose control."
Her cheeks flushed.
"That sounds like your problem."
His eyes darkened with amusement.
"It is."
He leaned closer again.
"And I intend to keep having that problem."
But inside the shadows of the castle…
Someone had been watching.
A soldier rushed into the throne hall.
"My Lord!"
Kael turned sharply.
"What is it?"
The soldier knelt quickly.
"Scouts have returned from the eastern border."
Kael's expression hardened instantly.
"Speak."
The soldier's voice shook.
"Seraphine's army… has begun moving."
Elena's heart dropped.
The soldier continued,
"They are marching toward the Dark Kingdom."
Silence filled the hall.
Kael's eyes turned cold.
"Good."
Dark shadows slowly rose around him.
"It seems the witch is finally ready to die."