**Chapter 2 — Tied by Blood and Shadow**
Liora could not stop shaking.
The demon prince's clawed hand was still wrapped around her throat. His grip was firm and cold. She could feel the sharp tips of his claws pressing lightly against her skin. One wrong move and he could tear her throat open.
She was terrified.
What had she done? In her panic to change the terrible future, she had ripped a piece of a demon's heart out and forced it into her own chest. Now something dark and alive pulsed inside her, pulling her toward him like an invisible chain.
"Please," Liora whispered, her voice small and trembling. "Let me go. I'm sorry… I really am sorry."
Cairis stared down at her with glowing crimson eyes. His face was hard and angry. He slowly stood up to his full height, towering over her. Black blood still dripped slowly from the wound on his chest, but the cut was already starting to close on its own.
"Let you go?" he said in a low, dangerous voice. "After you stole part of my heart? You must be joking, little witch."
Liora's legs felt weak. She tried to step back but the table stopped her. "I saw the future. You were dying because of me. I was only trying to stop it. I didn't know the ritual would do this!"
Cairis gave a short, cold laugh that sent chills down her spine. "You didn't know? You pushed your fingers into my chest and tore out my essence. Do you have any idea what you have done?"
He leaned closer. His hot breath brushed her face. The heart shard in Liora's chest throbbed painfully, sending strange waves of heat through her body. She hated it. She hated how aware it made her of his closeness.
"I can feel you," Cairis continued, his voice dropping lower. "Your fear. Your racing heart. Even the way your body is getting warm right now, even though you're shaking with terror. The binding is already working."
Liora's cheeks burned with shame and fear. "Stop saying that. Please stop. I don't like it."
"Why not?" he asked, tilting his head. His golden-ringed eyes looked straight into hers. "It is the truth. You tied our souls together. Every pain I feel, you will feel. Every hunger… every desire. It goes both ways now."
Liora swallowed hard. Tears stung her eyes. "I'm scared. I don't know you. I don't know what this thing inside me is doing. Just take it back if you can. I'll find another way to change the future. Please."
Cairis's grip on her throat tightened for a second, then loosened. He did not let go completely. "Take it back? It is too late for that, witch. The shard is part of you now. If I die, you die with me. If the Church catches me, they will burn us both."
He finally released her throat but grabbed her wrist instead. His claws pricked her skin, not deep enough to draw blood, but enough to remind her who was stronger.
Outside the cottage, the sound of horns grew louder. The Holy Dominion's Radiant Knights were getting closer. In the distance, eerie howls echoed through the forest — void wraiths, creatures drawn to strong bursts of dark magic.
"We have to leave. Now," Cairis said coldly. "The knights will smell the Abyssal essence on both of us. Thanks to you."
Liora rubbed her sore neck with her free hand. Her voice came out shaky. "Then go without me. I can hide here. I've hidden from them for years. My cottage has protection runes."
Cairis stepped closer, forcing her back against the table again. His tall body blocked most of the candlelight. "No. You are coming with me. You created this bond. You will not run from it."
"But I'm scared!" Liora cried. "I live a quiet life. I grow herbs. I stay away from demons and knights. I never wanted any of this!"
Cairis looked at her for a long moment. His expression stayed hard. "Fear will keep you alive longer than courage. Pick up anything you need. We leave through the back door. My power is still weak because you stole part of my heart. If we meet any creatures, do not scream. It will only bring more of them."
Liora nodded quickly, too afraid to argue. With shaking hands, she grabbed a small leather bag and stuffed some dried herbs, her favorite dagger, and a cloak inside. Every second she expected him to change his mind and hurt her.
As she packed, the heart shard pulsed again. A rush of heat spread through her chest and down her body. She gasped softly and pressed a hand to her chest.
Cairis noticed immediately. A dark smile touched his lips. "Feel that? That warmth is only the beginning. When we are close, the bond grows stronger. You will learn to hate it… or crave it."
"I don't want to crave anything," Liora said in a small voice. "I just want to be safe."
"Safe?" Cairis repeated. His tone was mocking. "There is no safety for you anymore. Not after what you did tonight."
He opened the back door. Cold night air rushed into the cottage, carrying the smell of pine and distant smoke. The forest looked darker than usual.
"Come," he ordered, pulling her by the wrist.
Liora followed him into the trees, her heart racing with fear. Every step made the bond between them feel tighter. She could feel echoes of his pain and anger inside her own chest. It made her feel sick and strange at the same time.
After a few minutes of walking in silence, she whispered, "Where are we going?"
Cairis did not look back. "Away from the Church hunters. Then I will decide what to do with you. You stole my heart, little witch. That means you belong to me now — until I say otherwise."
Liora bit her lip to stop herself from crying. She was scared of the demon walking beside her. She was scared of the knights chasing them. But most of all, she was scared of the warm, pulling feeling growing stronger every time he touched her.
She had wanted to save him from the terrible future she saw.
Instead, she had chained herself to a dangerous demon prince who looked at her like she was both a threat and a prize.
The howls of void wraiths sounded closer now. The forest felt alive with hidden dangers.
Liora glanced at Cairis's broad back and whispered to herself, "What have I done?"
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