chapter 13
POV: Lucien Draegor
After the angels' desperate attempt to reclaim Seraphina, I handled the situation with ruthless precision. The news of Ophelia's mother's death only fueled the fire raging inside me. How dare they attack my people? My jaw clenched as fury burned through my veins.
I had known something was wrong the moment that hooded man bumped into me. His disguise was flawless—I hadn't recognized him at first. But now it was clear.
"They are trying to take my wife," I growled inwardly.
In a blur of violence, I killed the guard and drove my blade into Seraphina's brother. My chest heaved with raw anger. Yet the moment I saw Seraphina collapse beside her brother, sobbing brokenly over his bleeding form, something in me faltered. A sharp sting pierced my heart at the sight of her tears. It hurt more than I cared to admit.
I dragged her away from the chaos, my grip firm on her arm. The moment we reached her room, I shoved her onto the bed and pinned her wrists above her head, my body looming over hers. The air in the chamber felt thick, heavy with unspoken rage and fear.
"I thought you would be different," Seraphina whispered, her voice trembling yet defiant. "Even Riven is better than you."
My demon awakened in an instant—something dark and primal shifted inside me. I released her abruptly and stood, my shadow stretching unnaturally across the floor.
"What did you say?" My voice came out cold and distant, slicing through the silence like a blade.
Seraphina edged toward the far side of the bed, her silver hair falling messily over her face. Fear widened her eyes, making them shimmer like fractured glass.
"You heard what I said," she replied, her voice shaking.
In a surge of fury, my hand shot out and wrapped around her slender neck. Her pulse fluttered wildly beneath my fingers.
"Lucien… please…" she choked out, her small hands clawing weakly at my wrist.
"Never compare me to my brother," I snarled, tightening my grip just enough to make my warning clear. "Never."
"Lucien… please…" Her voice grew fainter, strained.
I released her suddenly and stepped back, my chest rising and falling rapidly. I knew my actions would only make her hate me more—or fear me deeper. But she was an infuriating little bird who pushed every limit I had.
I stormed out of the room without another word. The door slammed behind me, echoing through the corridor. Even as I walked away, I could still hear her soft, broken sobs drifting through the walls—quiet, muffled sounds that clawed at my insides.
By the time I reached my own chambers, my heart felt restless and aching. I wished I could silence her tears, but her presence had already burrowed too deep under my skin. Sleep refused to come. Long into the night, her distant cries haunted the darkness, pulling at something I didn't want to name.
"I'm changing from a ruthless king into a soft fool," I thought bitterly, staring at the ceiling. "After years of searching for my mate… how did this bond find me? Angels and demons were never meant to be together. What ancient pact binds me to her?"
The questions raced through my mind until dawn crept in with pale, cold light.
Using my shadow powers, I slipped silently into her room. Seraphina lay asleep, her silver hair spilled across the pillow like moonlight on snow. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying, her breathing shallow and uneven. The sight twisted something painful inside my chest.
"I'm so sorry for hurting you, freckles," I whispered, voice barely audible.
I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, my lips lingering for a heartbeat. Then I vanished into the shadows before she could stir.
POV: Prince Orion Vale
Chaos erupted as they rushed me into the physician's chamber. News of Lucien's brutal attack spread like wildfire through the kingdom. Servants whispered in hushed tones, their faces pale with fear.
"Help my son!" Queen Valeria's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. Her silver hair whipped around her as raw power radiated from her body, turning the air frigid. Every object her aura touched frosted over with delicate layers of ice. Guards and servants shrank back, eyes wide with terror.
One unfortunate guard reached out to steady her—only to freeze solid in an instant, his body cracking with ice.
"Please, calm down," King Gideon said softly, his hand gently touching her shoulder.
At the sound of his voice, Queen Valeria's power slowly receded. The ice began to melt, leaving a thin sheen of water on the floor.
"Do your work and save my son," she ordered, her voice still laced with barely contained fury and raw maternal fear.
The physician pressed trembling fingers to my neck. "He is still breathing."
"Make sure he stays that way," the queen snapped, emotions bleeding into her words.
In my half-conscious state, all I could see was Ophelia's face—her striking eyes, the curve of her lips. The thought refused to leave me. What is wrong with me? You can't fall for a demoness. Focus on getting your sister back.
I could hear my mother's frantic voice, but my body refused to obey when I tried to rise. The physician forced herbs between my lips. A bitter, earthy taste coated my tongue as warmth slowly spread through my wounds.
Finally, my eyes fluttered open. My mother's emerald-green gaze stared down at me, tears glistening at the corners.
"Mum…" I rasped.
She rushed forward and pulled me into a tight embrace, her body trembling. "Oh, my son… you're alive. Never put me through that again."
"I failed to bring Seraphina back," I whispered, my throat tight with unshed tears.
"Don't worry," she said, stroking my hair with a mother's gentle touch, though pain lingered in her voice. "We will find another way."
Deep down, I knew retrieving Sera would not be easy. Still, I refused to let hope die.
"Don't worry, Sera will come back," I vowed silently.
I pushed myself up with effort. My father sat beside the bed, his expression stern yet proud.
"Son, you must be more careful next time. The demons are cunning. We need to stay ahead of them if we want to bring Sera home," he said.
"You deviated from the plan. You were supposed to make allies, not attack recklessly," he added, disappointment flickering in his amber eyes.
"I'm sorry, Father. I wasn't thinking straight," I murmured, lowering my head.
"Look at me, son." His voice softened as he tapped my shoulder firmly. "Never bow your head to defeat."
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze with renewed determination. "Yes, Father. I will never accept defeat."
"That is my son," he said, pride warming his tone. "That is my future heir."
"Everything will be fine, my child. Now rest," my mother added gently.
I lay back down, but my mind drifted once more to Ophelia. Why did her face affect me so strongly?
POV: Queen Valeria
I watched my son drift into exhausted sleep, my heart clenching painfully at the sight. He had tried so hard to rescue his sister, yet fate seemed determined to thwart us.
We left the chamber and stepped into the quieter corridor leading to the court. The memory of the ball haunted me—the event meant to prevent war had instead awakened the prophecy. How had I allowed this to happen?
"Look at what that devil did to my son," I whispered, tears spilling down my cheeks as I turned into my husband's embrace. His arms wrapped around me, strong and steady, yet even they couldn't fully ease the ache.
"Don't cry," King Gideon murmured, his breath warm against my hair. "We will get our daughter back."
"How?" I asked, voice breaking as I looked up into his amber eyes. "After centuries of fighting the prophecy, it has still come to pass. The curse will either break… or grow far worse."
"You created this curse the moment you gave birth to Riven Draegor," he said, a hint of old pain flashing across his face as he gently pulled away.
"You know how it happened," I replied, my voice trembling. "I never loved Lorcan. He raped me—that is what sparked the first war centuries ago."
"I know," Gideon said quietly. "Lucien was born before Riven. I had to send him back to the underworld because our daughter was falling in love with Riven—her stepbrother—and she knew nothing of it. I prevented the second curse… but I cannot stop this one."
"But the first curse can still be broken," I said, a fragile spark of hope rising in my chest.
"Yes," he admitted, "but it will lead to greater destruction. You know the prophecy, Valeria. Seraphina and Lucien are both of royal blood. Riven is not fully royal because you were not a princess when I married you."
He unwrapped his arms from around me and stepped back, his gaze heavy.
"The curse might break," he said, voice low, "but the price will be devastating."
King Gideon left me standing alone with my thoughts. I looked down at my trembling hands, tears tracing fresh paths down my face as memories flooded back.
Flashback
"Lorcan, please don't do this," I begged, struggling against his iron grip. My silver hair whipped wildly as he dragged me deeper into the moonlit forest. "You have a son, Lorcan! I love Gideon—not you. Please, let me go!"
"If you won't love me, I'll make you mine and kill Gideon," he snarled, his dark, shiny hair gleaming under the pale light.
"What about your wife and child? Are you going to abandon them? Let go of me!" I cried, wincing in pain.
He yanked me further into the shadows and shoved me to the cold, damp ground. I wept as he ripped my clothes away. My screams echoed uselessly through the trees.
"Lorcan, stop! Someone help me!" I pleaded, fighting desperately.
He ignored my cries, unzipped his pants, and thrust into me with brutal force. Pain tore through my body.
"I will always love you, Valeria," he groaned, moving above me.
I could no longer speak—only silent tears and agony remained.
When he finally pulled away and dressed, he left me lying numb in the dirt.
"I hate you, Lorcan," I whispered brokenly as tears blurred my vision. "I will always hate you."
Blood trickled down my legs as I staggered to my feet and stumbled through the forest. In my dazed state, I collided with a woman carrying a baby on her back. We both fell.
"Please… help me," I gasped before darkness claimed me.
"Oh, lord!" the woman cried, quickly lifting me.
She carried me to her modest home, laid me on the bed, and tended to my wounds with gentle hands. When I finally opened my eyes, she was watching me with deep concern.
"What happened, my lady?" she asked softly.
"Lorcan… raped me," I whispered.
"Oh, heavens, that is awful," she said, covering her mouth in horror. "I'm so sorry this happened to you."
She fetched a clean towel and continued caring for me. My gaze drifted to the crib where her baby girl waved her tiny feet.
"What a beautiful child," I murmured. "What is her name?"
"How did you know it was a girl?" the woman asked, surprised, as she lifted the infant.
"We're still searching for a name. My family refuses to name her because she is a girl and not the firstborn son," she explained sadly.
I stretched out my arms. The woman hesitantly placed the baby in them.
I gazed at the child's striking blue eyes. "Her name will be Ezra," I said softly. "A child of mystery and curiosity, with great understanding."
"Ezra Solvian," the woman repeated, a small smile touching her lips.
As I touched the baby's head, a delicate winter mark appeared on her back. The woman took her daughter back and placed her gently in the crib.
I stayed with them for several days, helping where I could. But soon I began feeling feverish and nauseous. The physician was called.
"She is pregnant," he announced.
That very night, while the woman slept, I slipped away and ran to my father. I told him everything—including the child growing inside me. My words ignited the first war that shattered the three realms centuries ago.
End of Flashback
Valeria sighed heavily, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. She wished desperately she could undo the past, but the deed was done and could never be erased.
She returned to Orion's room. He was still fast asleep, his breathing steady. Leaning down, she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, then quietly left, carrying the heavy weight of guilt and the faint hope for redemption.